Forge+Bond Releases Two New Rim Designs
Forge+Bond is the face of CSS Composites, the domestic manufacturer of all the FusionFiber wheels that we've seen rebranded by companies such as Revel, Evil, and Chris King. They launched the F+B brand with a Trail wheel, focused on the broadest part of the market, but are now expanding the lineup with an XC and an All-Mountain offering. Additionally, they're expanding their hub options in the builds, so consumers have a bit more choice when it comes to what they build their plastic hoops up with.
We've already touched on the manufacturing methods and details behind the hoops in an earlier First Look, so let's get into the new stuff.
![25 XC]()
![25 XC]()
![25 XC]()
All three hub options are identical, save for price and weight. Pricing starts at $1899 USD for the Industry 9 1/1 hub option and jumps to $2199 USD for the DT Swiss 240 and Industry 9 Hydra builds. Both of the I9 builds are in the 1500g+ range, which is fairly chunky for a modern XC wheelset, but if the damping characteristics of the rims prove to be true then it could be worth the weight penalty for some people.
![30 AM]()
![30 AM]()
![30 AM]()
I've been spending some time on the beefier F+B hoops for a while now, and they've held up well. The ride quality is fairly standard, holding up to hard hits and corners nicely as you'd expect from a downhill-oriented wheelset. That said, the model I have features a 32-hole build, and weighs around 1982 grams, so I don't think it can speak for these new models. These are the heaviest-duty version in the lineup, known as the 30 EM. We'll try to spend some time on some of the lighter versions and report back on how they hold up.
More information on the wheels, production methods, and philosophy behind the brand can be found at forgeandbond.com.
We've already touched on the manufacturing methods and details behind the hoops in an earlier First Look, so let's get into the new stuff.
F+B 25 XC Details
• Tire Size Range: 2.1” - 2.4”
• Rim Outer Width: 31.4mm
• Rim Inner Width: 25mm
• Beadwall Thickness: 3.2mm
• Spoke Count: 28
• Spoke Type: Sapim CX Ray
• Hub Options: I9 1/1, DT 240, I9 Hydra
• Rim Weight: 380g
• Wheelset Weight: 1455-1564g
• Tire Size Range: 2.1” - 2.4”
• Rim Outer Width: 31.4mm
• Rim Inner Width: 25mm
• Beadwall Thickness: 3.2mm
• Spoke Count: 28
• Spoke Type: Sapim CX Ray
• Hub Options: I9 1/1, DT 240, I9 Hydra
• Rim Weight: 380g
• Wheelset Weight: 1455-1564g
Covered by the F+B Lifetime Guarantee.
With every purchase, F+B will donate $100 to local NICA teams.
All three hub options are identical, save for price and weight. Pricing starts at $1899 USD for the Industry 9 1/1 hub option and jumps to $2199 USD for the DT Swiss 240 and Industry 9 Hydra builds. Both of the I9 builds are in the 1500g+ range, which is fairly chunky for a modern XC wheelset, but if the damping characteristics of the rims prove to be true then it could be worth the weight penalty for some people.
F+B 30 AM Details
• Tire Size Range: 2.3” - 2.6”
• Rim Outer Width: 38mm
• Rim Inner Width: 30mm
• Beadwall Thickness: 4mm
• Spoke Count: 28
• Spoke Type: Sapim CX Ray
• Hub Options: I9 1/1, DT 240, I9 Hydra
• Front Rim Weight: 480g
• Rear Rim Weight: 530g
• Wheelset Weight: 1702-1816g
• Tire Size Range: 2.3” - 2.6”
• Rim Outer Width: 38mm
• Rim Inner Width: 30mm
• Beadwall Thickness: 4mm
• Spoke Count: 28
• Spoke Type: Sapim CX Ray
• Hub Options: I9 1/1, DT 240, I9 Hydra
• Front Rim Weight: 480g
• Rear Rim Weight: 530g
• Wheelset Weight: 1702-1816g
Strangely, the DT options are Centerlock-only.
All F+B rims can be down-cycled into their house-brand tire levers.
I've been spending some time on the beefier F+B hoops for a while now, and they've held up well. The ride quality is fairly standard, holding up to hard hits and corners nicely as you'd expect from a downhill-oriented wheelset. That said, the model I have features a 32-hole build, and weighs around 1982 grams, so I don't think it can speak for these new models. These are the heaviest-duty version in the lineup, known as the 30 EM. We'll try to spend some time on some of the lighter versions and report back on how they hold up.
More information on the wheels, production methods, and philosophy behind the brand can be found at forgeandbond.com.
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What are you thoughts ?
Thanks !
Most of the alloy ones were decent rims, Stan’s Flow MK3, Easton ARC before and after they became RaceFace ARC and got stronger alloy, and a handful of others. As for carbon, I went thru Derby, Nobl, WeAreOne, Ibis, Revel, and probably others. Even went thru a few DT EX511’s, but the narrower profile on the 471 rim seems to hold up a bit better, and it helps that I get along with a rounder tire profile than the squared-off standard that 30mm rims cause.
*counts on fingers*
a lot cheaper
The rims themselves are of great construction quality IMHO. From a builders perspective, they are very clean and wrinkle free internally, and very round and flat (definitely not always the case). In turn, they build up very smoothly, very true, with very even tension. They have all the markers I look for, when the aim is to build a quality carbon wheelset. F+B also designed the nipple bed to work with Sapim MG washers, which accompany the rims - again, something I appreciate. Nipple bed and drilling are well executed to ensure spokes have a good straight path to hub flange (again, definitely not always the case). On first blush, all signs point to these hoops building into wheels that will live long fuss free lives. From the builders perspective again, I can't ask for much more. I definitely won't dispute the design and execution of these hoops is well done from what I have seen.
They have definitely been a good ride for me over the past month. They have a fairly muted ride characte, as many have come to expect from todays high end carbon hoops, and for me that's a positive. I've come up short on a few features and cased these hoops hard on numerous occasions, and I've heard a few rim pings while pinballing though rock sections, and they just keep rolling true without signs of abuse. Short term feedback - they have been great.
These just aren’t a good buy compared to something like an aluminum DT rim. Or a good thermoset rim like a WAO product.
My Nobls laced to Onyx hubs were significantly cheaper, a bit lighter, and Nobl responds to warranty claims in under 24 hours (even over the weekend)! I've blown two of them up in the last year and both times I had a new hoop delivered to western NC in less than a week. Last warranty claim they even called to make sure I was satisfied with the product!