Ibis announces 6 new wheelsets in carbon and aluminum

The Ibis family of wheelsets has just grown to 9 different models, including two affordable aluminum options. All informtaion can be found in the official Press Release:

New offerings in carbon include the 742, 942, 735 and 935. The aluminum wheels are called the 738 and 938. — New offerings in carbon include the 742, 942, 735 and 935. The aluminum wheels are called 738 and 938.

Pro Tip: the first number indicates the wheel size, 9 = 29”, 7 = 27.5”, second number is outer rim width. — Pro Tip: the first number indicates the wheel size, 9 = 29”, 7 = 27.5”, second number is the outer rim width.

Wide

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. With this new wider and shallower rim profile, we are able to significantly increase impact strength and lateral stiffness, while matching the weight of our 928 hoops.

Asymmetric

The asymmetric rim design features 5 mm of offset (2.5mm on 735/935), which allows higher spoke tensions that are nearly equal from one side of the wheel to the other. This, combined with a section height that is reduced to 19.5mm, makes the wheel stronger yet better able to distribute the loads of localized impacts from rock strikes or hard landings. Also, with the new carbon wheels 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. 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.

Hubs

Our carbon wheels now come with the excellent Industry Nine Torch Hubs. The hubs are made in the USA, feature a 60t ratchet with 6 out of phase pawls, resulting in a 3º engagement. The brakes are center lock and the hubs are equipped with Enduro bearings and come with either Shimano or SRAM XD drivers.

An Added “Plus”

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.

Aluminum Wheelsets

We’re excited to announce two new aluminum wheelsets at the same time.

First and foremost, these wheels are $549 retail in the US. — The aluminum wheels retail for $ 549 in the US.

The inner width of the rim bed is the same as our widest carbon wheels at 35mm. The rims share many of the features of the carbon rims: 5mm asymmetric spoke drilling, tubeless ready, similar profile, equal spoke tensions and a very wide profile.

The hubs are Ibis branded, built for us by a small CNC shop in Taiwan and featuring a durable 36t 4 pawl freehub (Shimano or SRAM).

Both the rims and hubs are black anodized and laser etched, and look fantastic. We’re using Enduro bearings in the hubs, and they are currently available in BOOST spacing. It’s possible we’ll add 100/142 with enough demand.

These wheels are going to be included in our Special Blend kits starting at the end of May and are available for aftermarket sales on May 15th.

More information can be found on the Ibis Website.

Words & Photos: Ibis PR

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