Carbon has become the material of choice for high end frames in recent years and is becoming increasingly popular as a rim material for high end mountain bike wheels. Industry Nine realized this and decide to collaborate with Reynolds Cycling and their carbon fiber expertise. Industry Nine provided the rim profile and specifications which they’ve learned through designing and building their own aluminum rims, then worked with Reynolds on specific performance targets for each model. Industry Nine Pillar Carbon rims feature a hookless bead wall constructed of continuous fibers, which yield an exceptionally strong, and impact resistant rim with wide inner widths for excellent tire support.

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Pillar Carbon Series Wheelsets

The Pillar Carbon wheelsets are the first complete carbon mountain bike wheels that Industry Nine has designed as a comprehensive system. Hubs, spokes, and rims were all designed together to offer an exceptional trail experience. The “TwinPillar” hookless bead walls provide an exception strength to weight ratio and excellent impact resistance in a light weight, laterally stiff package.

With the recent development and push for wider rims, Industry Nine was wary of going wide just for the sake of being wide as a marketing point. They’re proud of their reputation built over many years for having solid products. Taking many points into account they designed the Pillar carbon series rims with inner widths which are in line or slightly wider than their current aluminum rim widths (depending on the model). The rims feature a hookless bead wall, which optimize the inner rim width of each model to be on the wide end of the spectrum for the intended tire and usage category.

Features of new Pillar Wheels with Torch hubs.

  • Rims – 31mm outer/26.25mm inner width, Tubeless ready profile, Rim weight 375 grams
  • 24 hole 2/1 lacing pattern – reduces weight while balancing wheel tension and maintaining durability
  • Average Weight* – front 635 grams/rear 760 grams – 1395 grams/set *Weight varies depending on bearing and axle specification and does not include tubeless tape and valves. Ready to ride weight starts at 1411 grams**
  • Front Hub: 132-140 grams – 2 bearings with external o-ring seals. 100mm QR, 9thru, 15mm, and 110x20mm axle options.
  • Rear Hub: 255-268 grams – 4 bearings with external Teflon seals and silicone freehub seal. 135mm QR, 10×135, 12×135, and 12×142 axle options.
  • Driver: 9/10 spd or XD1 – 120 point, 3 degree engagement, 6 pawl mechanism.
  • Spokes – Rear – drive side 2.9/2.7mm butted, non drive 2.9mm. Front – disc side 2.9/2.7mm, non disc 2.9mm.
  • MSRP: $2850
  • 220lb/100kg suggested rider weight limit
  • Standard Colors – All red hubs and spokes, all black hubs and spokes, or silver hubs/black spokes (rims are natural carbon finish)
  • Custom Colors* – Silver, Blue, Gold, Orange, Pink, Purple, Turquoise, and Green *Upcharges apply
  • Custom Lacing options* – Mix and match spoke colors for a true custom look * Upcharges apply
  • Options – XD1 Driver body for SRAM XX1 type cassette. Hybrid Ceramic bearings (Upcharges apply)
New Pillar carbon wheels from Industry Nine, a comprehensively designed system in collaboration with Reynolds Cycling.
New Pillar carbon wheels from Industry Nine, a comprehensively designed system in collaboration with Reynolds Cycling.
Torch hub. High engagement hub, featuring a 120 point, 3 degree engagement, 6 pawl mechanism.
Torch hub. High engagement hub, featuring a 120 point, 3 degree engagement, 6 pawl mechanism.
Green spokes your thing? You can completely customize all of your I9 wheels.
Green spokes your thing? You can completely customize all of your I9 wheels.
26.25mm inner width on the new carbon rims on the Pillar Enduro wheel from I9.
26.25mm inner width on the new carbon rims on the Pillar Enduro wheel from I9.

Without having ridden these wheels, I’m particularly excited about them. I was in the process of testing the aluminum Enduro wheels, with Torch hubs, when that bike was stolen from Winter Park, CO. (see story here) One thing that I immediately noticed on those wheels was the ultra quick pedaling engagement. The response was instantaneous. And rewarding. Over the next month, I realized they were the fastest engaging hubs I had ridden (including Chris King, DT Swiss 240, various Sun Ringles over the years, among others.) Once you get used to that instant feedback, losing no energy from your pedal stroke, it’s hard to go back. I also realized over a month of pounding on them, they they definitely had some durability to them. Stiff, but with just enough vertical compliance to be really comfortable on any rocky trail.

And I also enjoyed meeting the owner of Industry Nine, Clint, and the entire staff in Asheville, North Carolina. And one last thing I like about these upcoming wheels is that they’re almost 100% built from scratch in the USA. Not an important thing to some, and yes, there is absolutely incredible gear coming from all parts of the world. But as a tax paying American, this is a feature that hits home for me. I can’t wait to get on a set of these wheels.

Words, Photos: Daniel Dunn


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