Hope's Redesigned Rim Range Includes 26" Options - Core Bike 2019

Jan 27, 2019 at 16:34
by James Smurthwaite  
photo

Hope turned up with new product aplenty at Core Bike this year. Not only did they have the star of the show in the HB.130 prototype but they were also displaying a new family of rims that will supersede the current Tech range.

The Fortus wheels will match the trends for wider wheels while still covering every discipline from XC to downhill. The rims have a new profile that is claimed to "keep rigidity without adding excessive weight and are available in four different internal widths.

The rims will be available in May 2019. Weights tbc.


Fortus 23

Internal width - 23mm
External width - 27.6mm
Depth - 17mm
Wheelsizes - 27.5", 29"
photo



Fortus 26

Internal width - 26mm
External width - 31mm
Depth - 20mm
Wheelsizes - 26", 27.5", 29"
photo



Fortus 30

Internal width - 30mm
External width - 35.2mm
Depth - 23mm
Wheelsizes - 26", 27.5", 29"
photo



Fortus 35

Internal width - 35mm
External width - 40mm
Depth - 18.5mm
Wheelsizes - 27.5", 29"
photo


From Hope:

PRESS RELEASE: Hope
For many years our Tech range of rims have been the wheel of choice for mountain bikers, from the lightest XC racer to the most extreme downhill rider we’ve been able to supply their perfect rim.

In recent years the trend has moved to wider and wider rims to match increasing tyre profiles. To cater to this wider market we’ve spent time developing a new range of rims that will be available in May 2019. The rims feature an optimised profile to keep rigidity, without adding excessive weight. The rims feature subtle waterslide graphics, however we will also offer aftermarket decal kits in colours to match our six anodised finishes.

The new Fortus range of wheels will replace the existing Tech wheels.


Author Info:
jamessmurthwaite avatar

Member since Nov 14, 2018
1,770 articles
Must Read This Week
Kona Bicycles' Parent Company Appoints New CFO, Intends to Sell Brand
64727 views
Downhill Bikes of Sea Otter - Part 1
47057 views
Brian's Randoms from Sea Otter 2024
44950 views
Randoms Round 3: Dario's Treasures
44662 views
Pinkbike's DH Fantasy League: Get Your Team On The Line - Fort William is in 10 DAYS!
39857 views
Randoms Round 1 - Sea Otter 2024
38298 views
[UPDATED] Final Elite XC Results & Overall Standings from the Araxá XC World Cup 2024
38187 views
Spotted: Frameworks Racing DH Bike with Electronic Fox Shock & Unreleased Enve Rims
37352 views
Sign Up for the Pinkbike Newsletter - All the Biggest, Most Interesting Stories in your Inbox
PB Newsletter Signup

120 Comments
  • 180 3
 A 30mm rim in 26? You're my heroes.
  • 22 0
 Hell yeah!
  • 33 2
 Mavic EX729 my dude.
  • 5 1
 @mnorris122: Used to be my go to. They don't produce them anymore. I just picked up the last one I could find online about a month ago.
  • 7 0
 Stans Flow too, but yes stoked to have more choices. (WTB do an Asym i35 also 8-)
  • 5 2
 Enough 29mm wide (internal) rims available, (Syntace, Stans, Ryde...) so I'd just put these in the same category. Syntace and Ryde also make them asymmetric which makes sense to me. But yeah, this is an interesting alternative for sure.
  • 14 3
 If only there were more 2.5+ tire options for 26" rims
  • 7 5
 @chriskneeland: "They don't produce them anymore. I just picked up the last one I could find online about a month ago."

www.bike-components.de/en/Mavic/EX-729-Disc-26-Rim-p45724

www.bike24.com/p224855.html

www.bike-discount.de/en/buy/mavic-ex-729-disc-felge-32-loch-schwarz-495534
  • 9 2
 @ka81: Yeah, I live in the US. I'm sure there are a few left in the world.
  • 4 6
 @chriskneeland: not few, but lot of.
Ships worldwide.
  • 3 2
 @mnorris122: I still run the EX729. Best rim in my opinion.
  • 4 2
 @mnorris122:
The only rims I could never kill. My god they where heavy tho. Made the bike absolute tank to ride
  • 12 6
 @markg1150: ex729s are hard to bend but easy to dent. Would not recommend them to anyone. They were good in 2005
  • 4 0
 @WAKIdesigns: They last 3 times longer than my DT Swiss FR600's. I'll take em.
  • 6 5
 @chriskneeland: DT FR600 are made of Swiss cheese. But EX511 will eat them both for breakfast
  • 4 0
 Sunringle MTX39 has an internal width around there. Beefy as f*ck if you don't mind weight!
  • 10 7
 If you want a strong and wide 26” rim get Spank Spoon 32 or Spank Race 33. If you want a light and damn strong rim but willing to go 25mm, get EX471. The rest is either cheese or super heavy. Sppoon 32 is undoubtedly the strongest rim that I have ever owned
  • 1 0
 @mnorris122: Ha some EX729s. Those were some gr8 rims for me.
  • 1 0
 @chriskneeland: Damn, that sucks! Sorry to hear that, those are some great rims.
  • 2 0
 my Atomlab DHR's have had 9 years of stair hucks and still going strong!!
  • 4 17
flag will-burr (Jan 28, 2019 at 18:32) (Below Threshold)
 The proto samples made of 26" rims will have them covered for the year from the 9 actual people from Pink Bike that buy them. I think its the "courtesy click bait" headline that get Pink Bike commenters pounding keys from the basement. Even kids NEW low-end bikes are 27.5in...
  • 7 0
 @will-burr: why are you here? ride what you like, & try letting us do the same
  • 1 0
 Hope need a custom wheel building service. Great rims an hubs but with so many standards around thier stock builds don't meet requirements..
  • 2 0
 @WAKIdesigns: i had two wheelsets of the spoon 32 and both rims cracked at the exact same spot. I got replacement for the first set (which took them ages), but not for the second one. Even though this was clearly a reoccurring manufacturing issue. Plus both bearing sets were completely covered in rust after one season of riding in dry conditions. I’ll never buy any wheels from spank, that’s for sure!
  • 2 0
 @aharms: Rode MTX 39 for 5 years without a problem, the 5km rim ride I made on the way back once, that killed the rear. Not really killed it, but it loosened the weld at the joint. Best rims I have ever had, that and the Alex Supra MT, you could ride them with rubber bands for tires and would still make sand out of a rock garden. I miss the days when components were good.
  • 1 2
 @chilla661: all the dirt boys at my place run Spoon 32. They may not hit rocks but they hits the ground sideways, 360s, flares, cashrolls what not. Only one busted joint. I cased the crap out of mine on loose spokes. Not to mention that Ali C, Macaskill, Duncan Shaw pack used to ride them with success
  • 2 0
 @Rgdelgadillo: Just happy for an actual WT minion right now..
  • 2 0
 @Rgdelgadillo: Honest question: How many 26" frames and forks comfortably fit 2.5+" tires?
  • 1 1
 @dlxah: most foxes should take up to 2.8
  • 1 0
 @dlxah: All 26" Magura forks from 2007 onwards take 2.6" tires. Wotan takes 2.8" tires. Obviously now that brands are reducing trail on their big wheeled (27.5" onwards) forks, they also work fine as 26" forks with more clearance than you'd have with 27.5" wheels Smile .
  • 1 0
 @dlxah: My 2006 Dirt Jam Pro took a Maxxis 2,7 and a Kenda 2.6 (Maxxis 2.9?) My 2006 DJ frame with a
2003 Marzocchi Jr T fit a Continental Diesel 2.5 in the back and a Kenda Nevegal 2,5 in the front, both huge tires. Old Marzocchi forks would take a 3.0 Gazza easy.
  • 2 1
 @FrEeZa: not really, old Marzocchi forks were taking 3.0’in 24”. I had 66RC2x and it didn’t have much space left with Gazza 2.6.
  • 1 0
 @dlxah: You may be right that its on the lower end for sure. I am running 26" wheels on my 2017 chromag stylus frame (27.5) so i guess its neither a 26 frame nor fork. Running 2.75 at the moment but would love to try 2.6 though.
  • 1 0
 @WAKIdesigns: Sorry, I was referring to the Monster T. The 66 and 888 took a maximum of ~2.6 Gaza, although, my 06 Dirt Jam was a 9mm axled fork and took the 2.6 Telonix like a champ and still had some room, never rubbed under braking, the Gazza just had a weird round shape to it at 3,0. Now I miss my 66 :/
  • 2 0
 @FrEeZa: Hell yeah. I had to do a run at whistler with a flat tire, fully expected to see a mangled mess at the end. The thing's fine. $30 for indestructible wheels? Yes please!
  • 2 0
 @arthom: kenda also makes a 2.5 but still not many options. I would love to try a 2.6 but have yet to find anyone who makes that size. Currently running 2.75 surlys.
  • 2 0
 @Rgdelgadillo: Had some Kenda 2.6 back in the day, alas I have not found anything like them since. I guess we'll have to wait for someone to rediscover the 26" wheel and call it new? I see that you're from the US, so I doubt it would be impossible to find some Maxxis 2.7s, or? I am from Bulgaria and, believe it or not, I found Maxxis 2.5 Hook Worms basically for free. The shop also had some 2.7 High Rollers.
  • 1 0
 @FrEeZa: Yes, tho they're DH anchors. And with old Maxxis "sizing" you're lucky if 2.7 actually = 2.3 Frown
  • 1 0
 Spank Spike Race 33 - the black/grey Bearclaw Edition. Awesome rim at 28mm internal width.
  • 1 0
 @TyPierce: Yes
  • 1 0
 @WAKIdesigns:
I said kill not dent. Course they dented and buckled there alloy. But could true and straighten out to safe and usable.
I'm talking killed unridable in the bin full collapsed taco ect.
  • 2 0
 Thank you Hope for supporting my favorite wheel size! #26aintdead
  • 2 0
 @markg1150: Modern DT rims don't dent as easily as old Mavics and is possibly as hard to taco. By modern standards, old mavic rims had pretty crappy weight to strength ratio. That's all I mean.
  • 1 0
 Good to know. Might give them ago next time round. Not a brand I've tried before as they where always to skinny and expensive in the past
  • 31 1
 Hope: "what should we name our rims so people will think they're a strong, good option?"
Also hope: "how about we name them 'strong'?"
Also also hope: "yeah! But more... Latin"
  • 25 1
 26 RESPECT!
  • 14 2
 Always. Still the most versatile wheel size.
  • 11 4
 "For many years our Tech range of rims have been the wheel of choice for mountain bikers" - Erm, no they haven't Hope. But I hope these prove strong and a decent weight so your Hoops become a viable option again.
  • 6 3
 Why when aluminum rims come out do they not state that they are aluminum? There's no mention anywhere here of what these rims are made from. Maybe I'm wrong? Maybe they are made from unobtainium?
  • 5 0
 It says they're anodized. What other rim materials did you have in mind that could be anodized?

That said, I'd be interested to see what alloy they're using. Those who use Al6069 are proud to tell whereas those using Al6061 typically remain silent Wink .
  • 2 1
 @vinay: Yes, I always love when its a scavenger hunt to try to figure out specs. How about with the specs they have a "rim material" item to keep it simple for dummies like me?
  • 4 0
 @yupstate: This is no press release. The article is just a quick report of something interesting PB found at the Core Bike Show. I understand some (essential) bits may be missing due to all the hectics of the show. I'm pretty sure more information will be there once these rims are actually available for purchase in May. I realize I must be a dummy too. I'm quite unfamiliar with unobtainium so I'm unaware of whether it can actually be anodized. You know what, send the people at Hope a mail directly whether it may be unobtainium. Tell me how it goes.
  • 2 0
 @vinay: It's not just a gripe about this, I wouldn't bring it up if this was the first time. Some manufacturers don't even list the rim material on their websites. You can literally use Ctrl+F and search the page that has a novel of information on how awesome the rim is, but the word aluminum isn't found. For example check out Industry Nine's Enduro 305 29" wheelset on their site. No mention of what the darn thing is made out of.
  • 2 0
 @vinay: It does say "Press Release: Hope" at the bottom of the article...
  • 7 1
 Based on the weight, I'd say it's an aluminium lead alloy...
  • 1 0
 @jestep: Agreed! I had to read the weights three times to believe it!
  • 3 1
 @jestep: over 2000 g for an all mountain wheelset is so 2006.
I wish they offered sets with higher end spokes, I think the previous rims had a competitive weight.
  • 1 0
 @jzPV: previous rims were also heavy for their width. I don´t know why they keep making them so heavy, if they were a lot more durable a dent resistant, cool, but that doesn´t seem to be the case.
  • 7 0
 @vinay: I hate to be that guy but you can anodise titanium too.
  • 3 0
 @ermoldaker: Yeah I know (quite a different process though, but it is indeed also called anodization), but the profile appears to be extruded. You may be that guy again but I don't think titanium can be extruded, can it (real question)?
  • 2 0
 @ermoldaker: Alright, looked it up. Titanium can indeed be extruded if you really want to.

www.rickardmetals.com/high-performance-alloys/titanium-extrusion

The finished titanium rim would make the carbon offerings seem cheap. I guess the only "affordable" way to make a titanium rim with a closed cavity is to roll form two separate shapes and weld them together. Still wouldn't look like what you have there. Also, I don't think you can anodize titanium in black. But I could very well be wrong once more Wink .
  • 1 0
 @vinay: also, a cool process is to put flat strip through a series of rolling processes and form a shape like that. As you say, it would be expensive and pointless.

www.welser.com/en_mobile/Info-Centre/Videos
  • 1 0
 @ermoldaker: Yeah, I mentioned roll forming in my previous post. It isn't even that expensive but it requires several product specific stations (rollers) whereas with extrusion the only product specific tool is the die. This makes extrusion feasible for smaller series whereas roll forming only becomes interesting for large series. But if you pick up a steel profile (like a round or square tube) at the hardware store you can see it is welded. The outside may look smooth but you can still notice the weld on the inside. This unlike the aluminium profiles as these are extruded. Steel rims for bicycle wheels are actually roll formed. I recently built a new wheel for my commuter with a steel Van Schothorst (Ryde) rim. With a Shimano Nexus N7 hub, 36 2.5mm spokes and this rim it made for a 3kg wheel (without tyre). But yeah, that's a stainless steel rim produced using roll forming.
  • 4 2
 Hope rims are terrible. They are so soft. After 3 rides the rim was covered in little dents that I have never seen on a rim before. I have spoken to loads of other riders with the same issues. Hopefully these new rims are a bit more robust. The old hope bulbs on mavic d521 was my go to wheel back in the day and they took a serious beating. Their brakes are so good and if it wasn't for Chris King I would be running hope bearings now too.
  • 4 0
 Alright I have to ask, why are they named after the guy from Guns N' Roses?
  • 26 0
 So you can run them on your Slash. Duh.
  • 9 0
 @ReformedRoadie: But won't they refuse to work with each other every couple of seasons?
  • 5 0
 Calling it an "Axl" would lead to confusion.
  • 1 0
 @woofer2609: I would not attempt to try to get a tire called Axl to seat with it...
You'd intially be a great fit, but then when sh!t hit the fan, it would blow out and leave you covered in spooge.
  • 6 1
 There is still hope for 26”wheels
  • 1 0
 Heavy? Made of cheese? C'mon, there are plenty of 26 options that are proven to be solid, the only components from hope that being rebranded and being shitty, I do not know any person who would happy with hope rims, hope wheels typically being purchase for the price of hubs based on hub quality
  • 1 0
 I ran a set of Tech35W for 3 years without a single problem. Still true to this day. Just bought some Fortus 30 29" for the new bike. Hope they are just as good.

By the way there was like 3-4 guys running their wheels in last year rampage and I didn't see one of em not finish because of wheel malfunction...
  • 5 0
 weights? with eyelets?
  • 4 0
 They must have weighed them wrong..... 2,327gms for 27.5” 30mm?
  • 5 1
 2.4kg for 29" 30mm wide, going to need some 300mm discs to slow them down!
  • 3 0
 They're going to be bringing back hydraulic rim brake calipers next. 600mm equivalent rotors...
  • 1 0
 That’s morbidly obese - where did you get the weights from or has the article been edited to ‘tbc’?
  • 1 0
 @justanotherusername: article has been edited to tbc!
  • 2 2
 Why the bead hook or tire slicer as I call it. I seem to have way more problems with hooks than without them anyway. Find a thick round hookless rim is less damaging to the tire on the old rim Dinging runs and has no draw backs for not having it. Not that I'm bothered, these things are to porky for me anyway
  • 2 0
 still making 26inch rims for the faithfull is why hope is one of if not the best component company on the planet! Because they're British and make for ALL riders
  • 1 1
 4 rim widths, each from different sub supplier it seems, looking at the material thickness and bead hooks. The reinforcement ribs on the 30 mm looks good, however it reminds of WTB’s Frequency (but do they make their own or buy from sub supplier too?)
  • 1 0
 How well do their enduro series wheels hold up to sharp cornering and big landings? I hear many people say good things about them but others say they have to true the wheels pretty often.
  • 4 0
 Are they made in house?
  • 2 1
 No, they just rebrand generic rims and sell them for double the money. Look at Alex MD series rims and tell me the difference to the Tech rims other than stickers and price.
  • 1 0
 @j5ives: that blows! The old ones were like swiss cheese in strength!
  • 1 0
 Yay! I was looking the other day at there wheels and thinking how there rim id for an Enduro rim was too narrow, more stans competition now
  • 1 0
 The current DH rim is superb. The Wide one sucks and dents too easy. And the Enduro one is a little weak but rides well. The new ones look promising.
  • 1 0
 They're fuckers to get a tubeless tyre to seat though...
  • 1 0
 @illO: fully agree!
  • 1 2
 At least no mention of 'tubeless ready' like the Tech rims. Rims you have to tape up and never quite seal properly (those mystery holes need the rim joint seem to be a conduit for air to escape) should not be called tubeless ready. Out of all the Tech rims I've had 1 sealed first time. The rest have need tree taping at least once.

Durability wise though my Tech Enduros have taken an absolute battering. The rear has lots of dinks and bends but still trues up after 3 years of abuse. The front has only been trued once. The hubs are just great (with the exception of the outboard freehub bearing that regularly lunches itself when the others haven't needed changing). Long live the Pro 4.
  • 3 1
 use gorilla tape, doesn't leak..
  • 2 0
 I (hope) they are stronger than the old version! Only Hope product that I didn't like.
  • 2 0
 But...but...pinkbike comment section told me there'd be no more 26 parts available and 26 was dead!!!! Liars!
  • 3 0
 Hope for the win for the 26er crowd!!
  • 3 0
 HOPE, as a 26" rider, I Salute you.
  • 3 0
 glad to see some 26" options...
  • 2 0
 Seems like 26 is making a bit of a comeback! I'm stoked to see more in the wild. #26AintDead
  • 2 0
 With eyelets as far as I can tell. Always nice to see.
  • 1 0
 Can you please tell me why? My last two wheel sets have been eyeletless and l can say l haven't missed them.
  • 2 0
 When and where can I get them?
  • 3 1
 Somehow I misread them "fetus" lol.
  • 2 0
 Those Wheel weights make all these rims horrendously heavy surely!
  • 3 0
 Bout time
  • 1 0
 500g more than the Hope Tech XC wheels per wheelset with the same hubs? That's a burly 7mm width increase there...
  • 1 1
 What the title meant to say is Hope have found a new wheel supplier to rebrand and double the price on ans its available in 26".
  • 1 0
 Yayyy a 35W 29er wheel!!!
  • 2 1
 Any idea for pricing in Canada?
  • 16 0
 Around three times what would be reasonable.
  • 1 1
 @Bob-Agg: "you live in the most desirable place in the world, you're so lucky"; "Ummmm, I feel unlucky; so......................................"; "I guess good thing I don't live anywhere else"
  • 1 0
 Do a lot of people here want new rims that are 23mm wide?
  • 4 0
 Cyclocross in the off season?
  • 8 0
 Shhhhhhh, clearance priced 19-23mm 29" rims make strong, cheap 700c wheels for commuting. Don't rock the boat.
  • 1 0
 Looks like the 2005 Joker I have will be gettin' new shoes!
  • 1 0
 Without weight useless info..
  • 1 0
 Good looking rims. Wonder what the weights are?
  • 2 1
 The lord gave us hope...
  • 1 0
 PR Powermove







Copyright © 2000 - 2024. Pinkbike.com. All rights reserved.
dv65 0.028012
Mobile Version of Website