Industry Nine Announces Torch Series Hubs and Wheelsets

In a press release today, Industry Nine, the wheelbuilding group from North Carolina, announced a new hub, rim and lacing strategy they dubbed, 'Torch.' Torch hubs are made in a straight-pull version, or with conventional flanges and the new rim is both tubeless compatible and slightly wider to better serve the ragged edge of the trailbike crowd. The following excerpts are taken from Industry Nine's release:

---

New Standard Set for High-Engagement Freehubs

Torch series hubs will be utilized on all 2013 Torch series wheelsets, as well as the 2013 Torch “Classic” series hubs. Torch hubs maintain Industry Nine’s exceptional three-degree engagement, which set a new standard for instant engagement freehubs at the company’s inception in 2005. This continues to be achieved through the use of an innovative six-pawl freehub, which utilizes phased engagement to double the number of engagement points from 60 to 120. However, everything else about the hub system is brand new.
Industry Nine


Torch Rear Hub features:

• Significantly lower weight – approximately 100 gram savings over the XC, Enduro, and Classic series rear hubs.
• Lower drag – new drive ring and pawl geometry, relocated bearings, and a new seal system dramatically reduce freehub drag while coasting.
• Better sealing – The rear hub features a custom silicone lip seal to protect the drive mechanism and Teflon contact seals for the endcaps to protect outboard bearings.
• Exceptional hub stiffness - Oversized and butted 20mm/17mm axle
• Universal endcap conversions – The 135mm rear hub platform is compatible with QR, 10x135, 12x135, and 12x142 simply by swapping endcaps. The 150mm rear hub platform is compatible with 12x150 and 12x157mm through an endcap swap.
• Freehub compatibility – 9/10 spd. Freehub or XX1 compatible Freehub options available and interchangeable.
• Easier service – the freehub can be quickly and easily removed for cleaning and service and features captured pawls and coil springs that allow tool-free pawl service.

---

Torch Front Hub features:

• Reduced weight – from 10 – 55 gram savings (depending on model) over XC, Enduro, and Classic series front hubs.
• Broader compatibility - the torch series front hub shares the same axle platform for all applications. Riders no longer need to choose between the EN or XC front hub platform if they are considering 20mm thru bolt options.
• Better sealing – The front hub utilizes o-ring seals to protect bearings.
• Universal endcap conversions – The front hub is compatible with QR, 9mm thru-bolt, 15mm, and 20mm (x110mm) simply by swapping endcaps.

---

Spoke features:

• Increased diameters – wheels feature increased diameter spokes, offering improved lateral stiffness and reducing the chance of impact or abrasion related spoke failures.
• Butted spokes – All wheels feature butted driveside spokes, which utilize a thicker diameter near the hub. This reduces the risk of spoke damage due to overshifting into the spokes and further improves lateral stiffness.
• Finer thread pitch – the spokes (and hubs) utilize a finer thread pitch, which makes the wheels easier to true and reduces the risk of spokes losing tension over time.
• Torx fittings – T8 torx fitting on the end of spokes replaces .050 Allen fitting from the original design, and makes spoke removal much easier in the rare event that a spoke breaks at the threads.

---

Torch Wheel System Features:

• Tangential spoke lacing – Torch wheels feature a spoke flanges which orient the spokes approximately 90 degrees from the hub flange. This increases wheel and spoke durability, since hub torque is applied in line with the spoke, thus removing the spoke threads from the shear plane and reducing spoke fatigue. Since the spokes are directly opposing one another, it also removes outward stress from the hub shell for increased hub durability and improved control of bearing press tolerances.
• Finer thread pitch flanges – the hubs utilize a finer thread pitch, which makes the wheels easier to true and reduces the risk of tension loss
• 24 hole 2/1 lacing pattern- Featured on the Trail 24 wheelset, this lacing pattern significantly reduces wheel weight and promotes (more) even spoke tensions while maintaining excellent durability. Front and rear wheels feature 16 spokes on the rear drive side and front disc side flange, paired with 8 opposing spokes. Due to the front and rear wheel dish caused by the cassette on the rear wheel and disc brake on the front wheel, this orientation evens out spoke tension, reduces peak stress loads on the spokes and rim, and reduces the fatigue cycle incurred in a traditional 24 spoke wheel. This allows a lower spoke count and lighter weight, without the durability issues and increased rim weights commonly associated with low-spoke-count wheels.

---

Trail and Trail 24 Wheelsets

Trail wheelsets are the first complete wheels that Industry Nine had designed as a comprehensive system. Hubs, spokes, and rims were all designed together to offer an exception trail experience.


Torch Trail 24 Wheelset

Trail 24 wheelsets are the ultimate everyday go fast wheelset. Whether you are hammering your local trails or throwing on a number plate, the Trail 24 wheels offers an exceptional balance between weight and performance. The 24 Hole 2/1 lacing pattern and welterweight Trail rims offer incredibly low rotational weight and excellent tire support - with a 28mm outer/23.4mm inner rim width. Available in 26”, 27.5” (650b), and 29” versions, the base MSRP is $1150 a set. (Industry Nine suggests a 200lb/91kg rider-weight limit.)

• Average Weight* – 26” Front 650 grams/rear 770 - 1420 grams/set;
27.5” front 670 grams/rear 790 grams – 1460 grams/set;
29” front 700 grams/rear 820 grams – 1520 grams/set
*Weight varies depending on bearing and axle specification and does not include tubeless tape and valves.
• Rims – 28mm outer/23.4mm inner width, Tubeless ready profile, Rim weights – 26”- 385 grams, 27.5”- 400 grams, 29”- 430 grams.
• Front Hub: 132-140 grams* - 2 bearings with external o-ring seals. 100mm QR, 9thru, 15mm, and 110x20mm axle options -
*Hub weight varies depending on axle/bearing spec.
• Rear Hub: 255-268 grams* - 4 bearings with external Teflon seals and silicone freehub seal. 135mm QR, 10x135, 12x135, and 12x142 axle options. *Hub weight varies depending on axle/bearing spec.
• Driver: 9/10 spd or XD1 - 120 point, 3 degree engagement, 6 pawl mechanism.
• Spokes - Rear – drive side 2.9/2.7mm butted, non drive 2.9mm. Front - disc side 2.9/2.7mm, non disc 2.9mm.
• Stock Colors - All red or all black hubs/spokes with black or silver rims.
• Custom Colors* - Silver, Blue, Gold, Orange, Pink, Purple, and Green *Upcharges apply.
• Custom Lacing options* - Mix and match spoke colors for a true custom look * Upcharges apply.
• Options - XD1 Driver body for SRAM XX1 type cassette. Lefty and Singlespeed* hubs. Hybrid Ceramic bearings* * Upcharges apply.

---

Torch Trail Wheelset

The Trail wheelset offers a new paradigm for the backcountry riding experience. With an exceptional stiffness/weight ratio and wide tubeless ready rims, the trail wheels pick apart technical singletrack. Using the same rim as the Trail 24 wheelset, but with 32 butted aluminum spokes, the Trail offers a slight boost in lateral stiffness over their lighter cousins, and the added piece of mind that 32 spokes bring for long rides in the backcountry. Trail wheelsets are available in 26” and 29” versions with a 220lb/100kg suggested rider weight limit. MSRP: $1170

• Average Weight* – 26” Front 685 grams/rear 805 - 1490 grams/set; 29” front 740 grams/rear 860 grams – 1600 grams/set*Weight varies depending on bearing and axle specification and does not include tubeless tape and valves
• Rims – 28mm outer/23.4mm inner width, Tubeless ready profile,
• Rim weights – 26”- 385 grams, 29”- 430 grams
• Front Hub - 142-150 grams*. 2 bearings with external o-ring seals. 100mm QR, 9thru, 15mm, and 110x20mm axle options.
*Hub weight varies depending on axle/bearing spec
• Rear Hub - 265-278 grams*. 4 bearings with external Teflon seals and silicone freehub seal. 135mm QR, 10x135, 12x135, and 12x142 axle options. *Hub weight varies depending on axle/bearing spec.
• Driver - 9/10 spd or XD1. 120 point, 3 degree engagement, 6 pawl mechanism
• Spokes - 2.9/2.7mm butted
• Stock Colors - All red or all black hubs/spokes with black or silver rims
• Custom Colors* - Silver, Blue, Gold, Orange, Pink, Purple, and Green * Upcharges apply
• Custom Lacing options* - Mix and match spoke colors for a true custom look * Upcharges apply
• Options - XD1 Driver body for SRAM XX1 type cassette. Lefty and Singlespeed* hubs. Hybrid Ceramic bearings*.
* Upcharges apply

---

Torch Classic hub: MSRP $575 - complete hubset


Classic Front Hub Features:

• Two-bearing hub with oversized axle and external seals
• Large diameter disc flange improves wheel stiffness and braking torque transfer
• Angled flanges for lower spoke stresses
• Interchangeable endcaps available for QR, 9mm thru, 15mm, and 110x20mm axle options
• Available in 28 and 32 Hole counts
• Hybrid Ceramic bearings availalbe – upcharge applies
• 150-155 grams – depending on axle and bearing spec
• MSRP: $190 front

Classic Rear Hub Features

• 4 bearing hub with oversized , butted 20/17mm axle and external seals
• Large diameter disc flanges improve wheel stiffness and braking torque transfer
• Angled flanges for lower spoke stresses
• 9/10spd or XX1 compatible freehub options
• 135mm hub platform offers interchangeable endcaps for QR,
• 10x135, 12x135, and 12x142mm axle options
• DH150 Hub platform offers interchangeable endcaps for 12x150 and
12x157mm axle options
• 120 point - 3 degree engagement - 6 pawl freehub
• Available in 28 and 32 Hole counts
• Hybrid Ceramic bearings available – upcharge applies
• 248-268 grams – weight varies depending on bearing, endcap, and freehub spec.
• MSRP: $385 Rear

Industry Nine

---