SIX NEW RIMS AND WHEELSETS FROM IBIS

Tuesday

Apr122016

Tuesday, April 12, 2016 at 10:38AM

Two years ago, Ibis introduced the ultra-wide 41mm 741 and 941 wheels to a few raised eyebrows. Once people rode the wheels and experienced all the benefits, those raised eyebrows quickly became high fives. Elbow pad sales spiked due to the massive traction of the wheels, as lean angles to approached 90^°. OK, we made that part up but you get the idea.

4 In Carbon Fibre

New Asymmetric Profile Carbon Fiber Rims
Lower Profile Nets a 30% Increase in Impact Strength
Less Material Saves 7.5% Weight
Industry Nine Hubs Machined in USA
Boost Front and Rear
SRAM XD or Shimano Drivers
27.5" and 29" in 41mm and 35mm Outer Widths
Wheels Built in USA
Available May 1, 2016
Wheelsets $1799

2 In Aluminum

Asymmetric Profile 6066 Aluminum Rims
New Super Durable Ibis Hubs
Work Great with Plus Tires
Boost Front and Rear
SRAM XD or Shimano Drivers
27.5" and 29" in 38mm Outer and 35mm Inner Widths
Available May 15, 2016
Wheelsets $549

With the 742/942, we’ve retained the 41mm outer/35mm inner widths of our 741/941 rims, while increasing impact strength, reducing weight and maintaining all-important lateral stiffness.

The 735/935 feature 35mm outer and 29mm internal rim widths. The 735/935 are ideal for lighter trail bikes that see more XC time, and also great for riders looking to save as much weight as possible, while taking advantages of the features that wide rims bring you.

Our new carbon rim design features a lower cross section height for increased impact performance. The lower 19.5mm section height makes the wheel better able to distribute the loads of localized impacts from rock strikes or hard landings.

Also, we are introducing a new hybrid carbon fiber layup, strategically combining layers of a new, high-toughness carbon/epoxy prepreg with our original carbon composite, increasing both ultimate strength and impact durability. This, combined with the asymmetric rim design that features 5mm of offset (2.5mm on 735/935) allows for higher spoke tensions that are nearly equal from one side of the wheel to the other. As a result of all this, the 742/942 nets a 30% increase in impact strength yet a 7.5% decrease in weight, compared to our previous rims.

Our carbon wheels now come with the excellent Industry Nine Torch hubs. The durable hubs are made in the USA in Industry Nine's Asheville machine shop, and feature a 60t ratchet with 6 out of phase pawls that results in a 3º engagement. They are equipped with Enduro bearings and come with either Shimano or SRAM XD drivers.

A wider rim delivers better sidewall support so in many cases you can run lower pressures in your rubber. Tires mounted on wider rims don’t burp as easily. Lower pressures, even a pound or two, do several beneficial things, including increasing the contact patch, which results in better traction. Running lower pressures on varied terrain actually reduces rolling resistance. Wider rims are stronger and stiffer. With increased traction comes increased braking control.

The 742/942/738/938 rims are ideal for the ultra low pressures (10-18 psi) that we like to run with 2.8 Plus tires (or 18-25psi for 2.25" - 2.5" tires). Running any of our 35mm internal width rims work incredibly well with the new 2.8 Plus rubber we've been riding from Schwalbe and Maxxis. The low system weight of the wheels with these rims and tires combined with the monstrous traction advantage have been a revelation for those who have ridden them.

We've also had great luck with the 3.0 tires on the rims, and our tire manufacturing friends have informed us that there are a lot of new Plus tires in the pipeline.

Wide Rim Benefits

Dramatically increased traction
Reduced rolling resistance
Less tubeless ‘burping’
Works well with Plus tires up to 3.0"
Stiffer, stronger wheel
lighter than most narrow aluminum rims
Better braking control
Improved flat protection
More predictable feel
You can run a lighter tire with similar durability
Hookless bead rims are far stronger
Easy to mount tubeless with just a floor pump

About Ibis Wheels

Our new carbon wheels feature all the good points about our prior wheelsets, with a few bonus features. The asymmetric design with offset spoke holes allows us to build a wheel with identical spoke lengths on the drive and non-drive side. The spoke tension is evened out between the two sides this way, building a more durable wheel. We are using a new hybrid carbon layup as well, layering a new high-toughness carbon/epoxy prepreg with our original carbon composite, which increases both ultimate strength and impact durability. So they are lighter and they are stronger.

Our new carbon wheels come with the excellent Industry Nine Torch Hubs. The hubs are made in the USA in Industry Nine's Asheville machine shop, and feature a 60t ratchet with 6 out of phase pawls that results in a 3º engagement. They are equipped with Enduro bearings and come with either Shimano or SRAM XD drivers.

The 742/942/738/938 rims are ideal for the ultra low pressures (10-18 psi) that we like to run with 2.8 Plus tires. They also do wonderful things to the performance of a number of 2.25” - 2.5” tires that start with fairly rounded profiles. We run lower pressures in 2.25-2.5” tires with the wider rims as well, in the neighborhood of 18-25 psi depending on rider weight and riding conditions.