When we cover Atomik Carbon, we're used to speaking about new tech and crazy materials - be that spokes that look like string or rims with aerospace foam molded in. However, for their latest rim, they're taking things back to basics and releasing their first-ever aluminum wheel.
Atomik is pitching it as a more affordable option compared to its carbon offerings, but these are far from a bare-bones wheel and are built up with I9 1/1 hubs and Sapim Race spokes. The rim is made from 6069 aluminium, which Atomik say should stand up to the "abuse of modern trail, all-mountain and enduro riding." Both 27.5'' and 29'' versions feature a 30-millimeter inner width so that tires up to 2.8" wide can be fitted.
Weights come in at 460-grams and 475-grams per rim for 27.5'' and 29'' diameters. Complete wheelsets tip the scales at 1,870-grams and 1,900-grams, respectively.
Atomik is also offering a Carbon Upgrade Program good for the life of the AL435 complete wheelset. If at any time the original owner chooses to upgrade to one of Atomik’s carbon rim offerings, they will rebuild the wheel using existing hubs—including new Sapim race spokes, brass nipples, all labor and return shipping—at no cost to the customer with the purchase of carbon rims.
 | Our goal was to make the performance of Atomik’s carbon rims and wheelsets available to more riders by offering an affordable, premium aluminum option. We decided to pair the AL345 with Industry Nine’s 1/1 hub for a complete wheelset that offers unparalleled performance and value without any compromises. Look at the AL435 as a lower cost of admission to the premium wheel market. When someone is ready to take the next step and go carbon, we want to make that as easy as possible. |
The Atomik AL435 is available now as complete wheelsets with I9 1/1 hubs and Sapim Race spokes starting at $699.99 USD or rim-only options starting at $99.99 USD.
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More so for me, I spend less time pulling dents and retentioning my own wheels - that's why I pick carbon more often than not for my own bikes. Instead of denting rims and writing them off, sometimes within a week or two of building them, I can ride several seasons on a good set of carbon hoops. I have cracked one myself, and it did not fail catastrophically (despite popular belief that carbon will just fail catastrophically) when it did - in fact I finished my ride, including some sizable features, before I realized the shot-gun sound I heard mid ride was actually my rim cracking.
That said I think alloy hoops are getting better too. Better quality alloy and better profiles make a difference. Wait and see how these Atomics do. We have seen some really good alloy come out in the last year.ot two, and perhaps these Atomics are among them? I like the round archy profile - would like to see thicker sidewalls though.
The reason for the hate is pure jealousy.
Im currently riding full carbon niner jet 9 rdo.. it cost me $2750 canadian... cannondale flash ultimate, $1800...ibis mojo sl $3500...all these bikes I have bought with carbon frames and wheels, for cheaper than your base model Giant aluminum bike... you dont need to be rich to buy carbon, you just need to get your head out of your ass first.
Also have yet to break a carbon part, I have been through many wheels, broken an aluminum and a steel frame, and with a background in DH and BMX im not easy on my bikes..
This is actually a great task for covid social distancing - calculate energy of a 1kg 29 inch wheel when riding 20km/h vs energy of a 75kg rieder + 12kg bike moving with the same speed.
The guy is an actual engineer, used to produce CNCed chainrings for example.
If you are as lazy as I am, more or less: when rider + bike is 80kg and with 27.5 inch wheel when riding ~30km/h dropping wheel weigh from 2000g to 1800g give you at best a whopping 0.5% faster acceleration.
You may be right. Gains are marginal between a lot of alloy vs hoops. But they are there and that's worth something to some people. Especially when you later then over other benefits.
For me, as stated above, I'm pulling less dents and truing less and rebuilding fewer of my own wheels when I use carbon hoops and that is where the value is for me. I already spend plenty time with a wrench in my hand, and I love that, but I don't feel the need to spend more time in front of the stand for my own gear.
But theres a chance you're wrong about your own needs or perception of performance, and you certainly are in no position to tell everyone it's better all the time.
I do agree with you on the idea 460 being too light for heavy riding, however until we actually put time on this rim it’s only speculation. Who knows maybe they actually designed a light / strong profile.
I wonder what the warranty is like...
Not trying to be a dick, but I honestly can't see these rims lasting more than a couple of runs under a fast rider at that weight. 6069 is fairly run of the mill as a rim material.
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