NOBL Wheels Announces New G2 Carbon Rims

Sep 28, 2023
by NOBL Wheels  

Press Release: NOBL Wheels

At NOBL, we’re on a mission to create the best cycling wheels in the world. Today, we’re thrilled to reveal the host of enhancements that are rolling out with our late 2023 mountain lineup. These Generation 2 rims are the best-looking and toughest products we’ve ever made and retain the exceptional quality and ride feel our customers have come to love.

Strength Redefined

After rigorous factory testing, NOBL G2 rims demonstrate a remarkable 40% boost in impact resistance on average, without an increase in system weight. This means that NOBL riders can continue trusting their wheels in the most demanding of trail conditions.

We accomplished these improvements by making three significant changes:

Redesigned Layup Schedule: Our asymmetrical rims have evolved to better distribute impact energy through the rim's sidewalls and effectively dissipate it into the nipple bed. This was achieved by using a new prepreg, completely redesigning the layup schedule, and adjusting fiber orientation on the nipple bed.

Enhanced Flexibility: One of our primary goals with NOBL G2 rims was to maximize impact resistance when rims took a hit on one side of the bead, but not the other. Material has been introduced into the rim lips to bring heightened flexibility to an area that tends to see a lot of abuse in chunky terrain. This increases a rim’s ability to handle sharp impacts on just one side of the rim at a time.

Beneath the Bead Seat: Important changes have also been made inside the rim cavity, below the bead seat. This area plays a crucial role in evenly distributing forces through the drop channel and can be a culprit for material creep during the molding process, which is problematic. By refining our production method, we’ve been able to vastly improve rim compaction and eliminate voids that can occur in this part of the rim.

photo

bigquotesDesigning rims with a deep profile is a quick way to get strength and stiffness out of carbon wheels, but that decision comes with a big sacrifice in ride quality for the vast majority of riders.

Crafting shallow but laterally stiff rims that ride comfortably and stand up to today’s demanding riding is a real challenge, and with the G2 product we’ve achieved a balance we’re truly proud of.
Trevor Howard, Co-Founder of NOBL Wheels

Aesthetic Updates

G2 rims also arrive with refined graphics courtesy of laser etching. During the process, a carefully focused beam of light alters the rim’s glossy finish without compromising structural integrity. This creates a sleek metallic graphic that most will find more understated than our previous designs. Premium vinyl decals will still be available for customers who want to match their wheels to bike frames and other components.

photo


G2 Weights
photo


At NOBL, we’re passionate about providing riders with the ultimate wheel experience. Each wheel that leaves our facility is hand-built to order, and tailored to each individual rider’s needs. Our new G2 rims epitomize the quality, craftsmanship, durability, and innovation that has defined the company’s DNA since 2012, and we’re excited to keep NOBL customers Fast & True for countless seasons to come!

For more information visit www.noblwheels.com

Author Info:
NOBLwheels avatar

Member since Nov 19, 2015
36 articles

44 Comments
  • 8 3
 Super stoked on my NOBL's and excited to get some new ones with lasers! I am fairly certain they are not "rebranded" LB rims but rather they own their own molds and use the Light bicycle facilities. Either way, I waited weeks for a response from other Canadian competitors whereas NOBL service has always been super efficient!
  • 24 2
 NOBL -> LBON -> Light Bicycles is Our Name. Conspiracy solved!
  • 3 0
 There’s another Canadian competitor, in the same province even, that I’ve emailed and called a couple times and the email are always within a few hours and the four calls I made were always answered by a person. So we must not be talking about the same brand.
  • 4 0
 I have purchased rims from Nobl and their service is second to non. I would definitely get another set from them. Also when I see all the stuff about who they may be made by it makes me realize that a lot of riders don't understand the pretty much 95% of how the bicycle supply chain works.
  • 1 0
 @deathbystereo: some people would rather give their money to overseas manufacturers, unfortunately.
  • 5 1
 I've had TR32's, TR33's TR35's and TR36's over the last few years and I have never had any issues at all. Plus they have the best customer service out there, couldn't recommend them enough.
  • 3 0
 Had a couple sets of TR37's on a couple different bikes. 0 issues and NOBL customer support was always fast and responsive with my questions along the way. Running some i9 carbon's right now, but I'd for sure seriously consider NOBL again if I needed a new set of wheels.
  • 2 0
 I looked at Nobl wheels long and hard when building my last bike (ended up on Santa Cruz Reserves). They check a lot of boxes. Are people riding these? What's the consensus (other than they're too expensive, people shouldn't ride carbon, yadda yadda yadda...).
  • 7 5
 I keep hearing they are rebranded light bicycle rims. can't verify but would love to hear from someone who can.
  • 10 2
 @conv3rt: Heard the same thing, I think I would go for WAO if I had to shell out that kind of money
  • 12 0
 @conv3rt: My understanding is that they are manufactured by the LB folks to Nobl's specs, standard engineering / manufacturing split.
  • 13 1
 NOBLs are by far the most reliable carbon rims I've ridden. Had a pair of TR36s from 2017 to 2021 that handled hundreds of rides and a couple dozen DH and enduro races with almost zero maintenance and only one rim failure, which occurred riding down with a flat tire at Bootleg (100% not the rim's fault.) In that time I broke at least 10 carbon rims covering almost every MFG in the space (I was doing a lot of product testing for my job at the time.) The TR36's are VERY stiff and I always struggled with initial tubeless setup, but the reliability made them absolutely worth dealing with those issues. Plus, NOBL is staffed by really nice people who care about their customers.

Based on my experience, I'd bet that these G2's are legitimately awesome.
  • 8 1
 I'm a fan. I've been on their wheels for a little over a year. I've blown up 2 of the TR 37s (one was 100% on me). Nobl offered their legacy TR 38, as I guess it's burlier, for the latest replacement & carried over the lifetime warranty.

Their customer service is great too. They respond within 24 hours, and get parts to North Carolina in ~ 5 days. They don't ask a ton of questions about warranty issues and genuinely seem like they care about their customer's riding experience.
  • 5 0
 @conv3rt: I had a pair of Light Bicycle rims for 3 seasons and they still work for another owner
  • 9 0
 I have been riding TR37s for a couple of years on my Slayer: bike parks, North Shore, Squamish, Whistler. They’ve been great.

Last Summer I did crack the rear rim (landed on a sharp rock on an awkward landing); I happen to be in Comox the following week and went to their shop. Their customer service was incredible; they rebuilt my wheel (new rim and decals) with a day’s notice. It’s been prefect ever since.

Very friendly, highly responsive team at Nobl. I don’t hesitate to recommend them and their products.
  • 2 1
 @conv3rt: I think they used to be and now they are made by LB but are different. LB makes solid rims regardless.
  • 2 1
 @warmerdamj: ok cool. myth busted. thanks y'all!
  • 5 0
 I have a set of TR 38's on my DH bike. Raced on them all summer and barely had to tighten a spoke. Can't say enough good things about them.
  • 5 0
 @conv3rt: I have a pair of tr32s on my trail bike and haven’t broken them yet, despite being the lightest model they make. I also have a pair of light bicycle wheels that have been fantastic so far, so if they are “rebranded light bicycle wheels” that seems like a selling point, because they make good stuff.
  • 11 0
 @conv3rt: I'm a dealer for these guys, no idea if they're made by LB but look at your bike. Look at all those brands that don't own their manufacturing but instead trust it to a factory that hammers out quality all day long for multiple brands. NOBL has their own propitiatory layups made by a factory that specializes in carbon manufacturing. Yeah they're in China, but the rims are damn good! In over 100 sets sold we've had one legitimate "warranty" with a rim de laminating. The rest have been smashed hard into either a jump, rock, or whatever. In each case we've got a new rim on the way within 24 hours. The wheels when they show up need nothing, always true, always tensioned evenly, always hop free, always customized as ordered. Communication is unreal, quality is unreal, and the wheels hold up better than any other carbon options I've seen in that price range. The improvements they've just made should reduce the number of "warranty" issues my shop has seen, keeping costs down for consumers, shops, and NOBL allowing them to keep competing on service, customization, and being price competitive. Anyway that's my rant, love the company, wheels, and people that keep things rolling!
  • 2 0
 @SmithCreekCycle: cool good to know PS I understand the concept of outsourcing. I was interested in the information behind the rumour that's all. Thanks for your insider perspective. I have a set of NOBLs (came with a used bike) that went out of true super quick and I switched back to an older set of WR1 Agents that have been bulletproof since 2018. I'll tune up the NOBLs when I get some free time and give them another try.
  • 3 0
 @conv3rt: I just bought a wheel from light bicycle and it came in a box with a bunch of nobl tape
  • 1 0
 @SmithCreekCycle: yo brian, check out the comment down there. The set I bought through you was G2's before they were announced!
  • 5 1
 I have a set on my enduro Chromag bike with Chris Kings hubs. I don't notice any difference from my aluminum ones to be honest.
  • 6 1
 That’s a good thing, as long as they’re more durable
  • 9 0
 @Mntneer: yeah the biggest difference I've noticed going from aluminum rims to tr37s is I've had exactly 0 days cut short because of wheel problems over 3 full seasons riding them
  • 3 0
 @nfontanella: That I agree as well. I've dented countless aluminum rims while with te Nobl I've had 0 issues. 5 years and going strong!
  • 6 0
 Love my nobl wheels. 3k miles on them no issues.
  • 5 0
 Exactly no issues with the TR37 or 38s I have. Love that they have lots of hub options.
  • 5 1
 I LOVE my NOBL wheelset! Definitely my favorite out of the other major brands of carbon hoops. I’ve owned ENVE, Zipp, WAO, Nox, Easton, Derby. My NOBLs take the prize!
  • 4 0
 I’ve had my TR32’s for almost two years now. No issues, and they had the option of Onyx hubs which was a huge selling point for me.
  • 2 0
 Hell Yeah I love my NOBL’s, I’ve been a big fan of my TR37’s with DT’s for over three years now with zero issues!
Not sure why they had to change what they were doing but I hope they work out and feel just as nice!
Thanks NOBL
Keep up the Great Work!!!
  • 4 2
 Insert manufacturer/reseller here> releases new rims with:
new choose up to 3: layup, shape, fiber/tow/weave, carbon-neutral epoxy>,
and
more choose 1: flexibility, compliance, vertical compliance, dampening>.
  • 1 0
 I choose "dampening" may help keep down the summer dust in this area. But the wt that feature probly adds means I'll stick to alloy
  • 4 3
 everyone here seems to love their wheels, I only have one friend who owns a set of NOBL, he blew 3 wheels in one season ( he is aggressive and pretty advance rider), NOBL didn't carry warranty over, also gave him hardish time ( in my opinion considering the cost of goods they are selling). He also needed to pay for rebuild of exploded wheels. So overall - I would never buy from this brand based on his experience.

Oh and P.S. Because all these trouble he pretty much missed half of a season cuz all these stuff took forever to sort out with NOBL
  • 4 2
 Interesting. I had a similar experience bought two rear wheels for my two sons, (one weighs about 120lbs, the other is 140lbs) hoping to reduce the amount of time I would spend maintaining/truing/retensioning the wheels. Both wheels broke on their first day of riding. I was super disappointed and definitely wouldn’t buy them again. They gave me my money back, but I couldn’t get my 5 days of lost riding back. I personally have been riding the same set of we are one unions for the last three seasons and have had zero problems.
  • 1 1
 @Shaque: I am not fully blaming it on the NOBL... but in his 15 years DH riding this is the only wheels he folded into pancakes ahahaha. The worst part wasn't even that... worst part was how NOBL handled it. Again, braking them might have been on him, but these days you expect free replacement no questions asked if you buy set of carbon ( expensive set) wheels.

Now, one is ok, two is suspicious, three in a row... something isn't right Big Grin I think he is running some very durable AL wheel on the rear now cuz he just wants to ride and not deal with warranty
  • 2 0
 Broke a rear TR35 hoop in under of year of regular use. Having to pay close to 200 dollars to get them rebuilt under warranty and I bet they won't give me this updated G2. I'd have stuck with Santa Cruz but here I am.
  • 1 0
 broke my TR37 on a Friday of a long weekend, bummed I decided to email them that evening. I got a response on the Saturday where all they wanted was a picture, I sent the pic of the cracked rim and within 3 days I had a brand new rim delivered to my house...over a long weekend, I was super impressed!
  • 1 0
 Of course you would launch a new generation of rims like a month after I buy my first ever carbon hoops.
  • 2 0
 Hey Liam - little late on this response but just wanted to let you know that I double checked your order and can confirm the TR37s you're running have all of the new G2 internal updates, happy riding! - Liam @ NOBL
  • 1 0
 @NOBLwheels: woah, thats awesome, and amazing customer service! Would have never expected something positive on a pinkbike comment. Thank you so much other Liam!!!
  • 1 0
 I'll wait for the G3
  • 1 0
 Nobl wheels are lovely.







Copyright © 2000 - 2024. Pinkbike.com. All rights reserved.
dv65 0.030530
Mobile Version of Website