Rims

Developed and manufactured in the CSS Composites aerospace facility in southern Utah, Revel's new RW30 wheels ditch the brittle epoxy that is commonly used in carbon fiber in the mountain bike space. The raw thermoplastic material blends unidirectional long fiber German and Japanese carbon impregnated with an advanced polymer. This is claimed to make for a more durable, lighter, and better riding wheel. Combined with Industry 9 1/1 or Hydra hubs and Sapim D-light spokes, they're an interesting package that piqued our interest. Perhaps best of all, should you crack one the rims can be recycled...

Earlier this year we had the opportunity to spend some time aboard Zipp’s 3ZERO MOTO wheelset. While our initial impressions were mostly positive, we knew that a more thorough test was required to offer an educated opinion on whether or not Zipp’s claims of compliance and traction were marketing jargon or legitimate improvements over traditional wheelsets. Since our initial piece, our 3ZERO MOTO wheels have been used and abused throughout the Sea to Sky corridor of British Columbia and made the trip to World Championships at Monte Sainte Anne. They have put in miles on a short-travel Norco...

With a reputation for producing strong rims that can take a beating, Stan’s has become a staple in many a wheel builder’s arsenal over the years. With racers and gravity enthusiasts demanding ever more from their equipment, Stan’s embarked on a serious testing program to figure out how to design a new rim that would complement today’s highly capable enduro and downhill bikes. What they found led them to combine the characteristics of two of their previous models – the result is the all-new Flow EX3 rim and wheelset. We’ve had a set out on the trails for a few months now, read on to find out...

Alex Rims might not be the first name that comes to mind when you think about flashy wheels, but they have been making rims in Taiwan since 1992 and have a huge offering from entry-level wheels to top carbon hoops. Alex has built a reputation for a great value. More often found OEM on complete bikes, Alex wheels are also used by privateer racers who need a dependable wheelset that doesn’t break the bank. We couldn’t wait to see if their new Recon 3.0 lived up to their reputation. Strengths Weaknesses Light Tool-free hub disassembly Too stiff Top layer prone to chipping Average freewheel...

After suspension, wheels are arguably one of the most impactful components on bicycle performance. While suspension seems to see ongoing innovations, traditional double-wall mountain bike rims and wheel design have not changed dramatically since the 1930s. Improvements to manufacturing processes, materials, and engineering have resulted in a myriad of great double-walled rims and wheelsets, each with their take at the ideal balance of stiffness, compliance, and durability, but no major brand has departed from traditional design until recently. Taking inspiration from motocross along with a...

As part of the Gravity Cartel, Spank have been sponsoring an eclectic collection of riding talent: World Cup descenders, Enduro World Series dominators and top-level freeriders all rest their confidence in the company with a name for the naughty. Spank seem to be able to think outside the box to try new elements in product design that they feel will offer a discernible ride quality and technical advantage for riders. Many of these riders are relying on Spank’s Vibrocore product line and its newest addition, the Spike 350 wheelset. With a slew of acronyms and bold claims of technological...

Carbon wheels are a polarizing component in the mountain bike world. On one hand they offer promises of performance increases, weight reduction, and that unmistakable "wow" factor. Conversely, some have commented their durability, overly stiff nature, and price point leave a lot to be desired. Santa Cruz set out to build the best wheelset on the planet some three years ago, and finally released their Reserve Carbon creation this spring. Most notably, the wheels feature a true lifetime warranty – the first in the business to do so. Not a company that simply regurgitates what is already out...