Home > Feature Stories

Industry Nine Introduces New Trail Wheels & Lightweight Torch Hubs

29 Comments
Support us! Bikerumor may earn a small commission from affiliate links in this article. Learn More

All-new Industry Nine trail wheels for mountain bikes with wider rims and 2-to-1 spoke lacing and lighter Torch hubs

We caught an earlier pic from one of their designers that showed some interesting numbers and new nomenclature. Now we’ve got answers with the official debut of the all-new Industry Nine Trail Wheels and Torch Hubs.

The new Torch hubs drop significant weight over the originals (used for their XC, Enduro and Classic wheels) and provide a single hub set for all wheel options, from XC to DH. The rear hub comes in about 100g lighter and the front hub ranges from 10g to 55g lighter depending on model. Together, you could save up to 160g on a set according to their product manager. You’ll have the option of 24 or 32 holes, and they’ll work with every current axle standard.

The wheels get two build options, both using all-new alloy rims from Industry Nine, with either 24 or 32 spokes per wheel. All three wheel sizes are represented, too.

Click on through for full tech details, specs and pics…

INDUSTRY NINE TORCH HUBS

All-new Industry Nine trail wheels for mountain bikes with wider rims and 2-to-1 spoke lacing and lighter Torch hubs

The new Torch hubs really seem to have kept what was great about their hubs and improved the rest. They keep the tight 3º of engagement and 120 points of contact in the drive system, but changes were made to reduce drag:

“We went to a slightly shallower tooth profile on the drive ring, and we went from three teeth per pawl to two teeth and changed the angle that they cantilever at, all of which reduced drag,” said Jacob McGahey, I9’s product manager. “But the biggest thing we did to reduce drag was relocate the large bearing between the freehub body and the hubshell. We went to a more traditional design where everything rolls on smaller bearings directly between them and the axle. This removes any unnecessary interaction between the hubshell and the freehub body during coasting. Then we switched to a face-contact silicone lip seal to keep it all clean. Before the freehub body and larger bearing acted as the seal.”

The freehub will be easily removable for cleaning, and the pawls and springs are captured so they won’t get lost.

All-new Industry Nine trail wheels for mountain bikes with wider rims and 2-to-1 spoke lacing and lighter Torch hubs

Visually, the hub shells will be a little leaner, particularly the rear. Where the old rear hub tapered larger on the drive side to accommodate the larger bearing there, it’s now much thinner overall and tapers slightly in the other direction, giving the non-drive flange a bit more diameter. The 24-hole design gets a 2:1 flange count, and the 32-hole hubs are even on both sides.
The front hubs roll on two sealed cartridge bearings, and the rear hubs get four bearings.

All-new Industry Nine trail wheels for mountain bikes with wider rims and 2-to-1 spoke lacing and lighter Torch hubs

Another big change is that now one hub will fit all 135mm-to-142mm (rear) and QR/9mm-thru/15mm/20mmx110 (front) axle standards just by changing end caps. All of them roll on oversized, butted 20mm/17mm axles. The Rear will come in two platforms, a 24 hole 2:1 and 32 hole 1:1, and the 32 hole will come in a standard width (QR, 10×135, 12×135, and 12×142 compatible) and a wider shell for 12×150 and 12×157.

All-new Industry Nine trail wheels for mountain bikes with wider rims and 2-to-1 spoke lacing and lighter Torch hubs

They’ll be available with standard 9/10 speed freehub bodies and an XD1 driver body for SRAM’s XX1 group.

All-new Industry Nine trail wheels for mountain bikes with wider rims and 2-to-1 spoke lacing and lighter Torch hubs

Claimed hub weights are:

  • Front 24 – 132 to 140g
  • Rear 24 – 255 to 268g
  • Front 32 – 142 to 150g
  • Rear 32 – 265 to 278g

New Industry Nine Torch Classic Hubs

For those wanting to build up their own wheels with standard spokes, the new Torch Classic hubs have all the same features (axle options, tight engagement, freehub or XD1, etc.) but with angled J-bend spoke flanges. Spoke count options are 28 and 32 hole.

Weights for these are 248g to 268g for the rear and 150g to 155g front. Weight ranges based on axle choices and bearing type – ceramic bearings are offered as an upgrade. Base price is $575 for the pair ($385 rear, $190 front).

INDUSTRY NINE TRAIL WHEELS

All-new Industry Nine trail wheels for mountain bikes with wider rims and 2-to-1 spoke lacing and lighter Torch hubs

The new Trail Wheels all use the new Torch hubs and a I9 designed tubeless ready alloy rim with 28mm outer/23.4mm inner width. The rim will be available in black or silver and offered in two versions: Trail and Trail 24.

The Trail gets 32 spokes and will be available in 26″ and 29er only. The Trail 24 has 24 spokes per wheel and will come in 26″, 27.5″ and 29er.

McGahey: “The 24-spoke Trail wheels are designed as everyday trail wheels for aggressive riding, but more under smoother riders. For riders that have more aggressive terrain or are harder on their equipment, the 32 hole spoke version will be slightly stiffer but provide a bit more peace of mind for long, backcountry rides.”

All-new Industry Nine trail wheels for mountain bikes with wider rims and 2-to-1 spoke lacing and lighter Torch hubs

Claimed weights and specs for the Trail 24 are:

  • 26” – Front 650 grams/rear 770 – 1420 grams/set
  • 27.5” – front 670 grams/rear 790 grams – 1460 grams/set
  • 29er – front 700 grams/rear 820 grams – 1520 grams/set
  • Rim Weights – 385 grams (26″), 400 grams (27.5″), and 430 grams (29er)
  • Rear Spokes – drive side 2.9/2.7mm butted, non drive 2.9mm
  • Front Spokes – disc side 2.9/2.7mm, non disc 2.9mm
  • Rider Weight Limit – 200lb / 91kg
  • Retail – $1,150

…and the Trail wheel weights and specs are:

  • 26” – Front 685 grams/rear 805 – 1490 grams/set
  • 29er –  front 740 grams/rear 860 grams – 1600 grams/set
  • Spokes: 2.9/2.7mm butted
  • Rider Weight Limit – 220lb / 100kg
  • Retail – $1,170

Both wheels offer plenty of options:

  • Stock Colors – All red or all black hubs/spokes with black or silver rims
  • Custom Colors – Silver, Blue, Gold, Orange, Pink, Purple, and Green (Upcharges apply)
  • Custom Lacing options – Mix and match spoke colors for a true custom look (Upcharges apply)
  • Other – XD1 Driver body for SRAM XX1 type cassette. Lefty and Singlespeed* hubs. Hybrid Ceramic bearings* * Upcharges apply

“We’re in full production building stock wheels for both Trail 24 and Trail for direct sales and to fill shop and distributor orders,” said McGahey. “We’ll be shipping wheels this coming week, and custom orders should be about three weeks out.”

He also mentioned that they have Stan’s NoTubes rims and the new Reynolds carbon 29er rims in stock in various drilling options should you want something a bit more custom. Oh, and I9 is already teasing future developments on the Torch hub platform…

Subscribe
Notify of
guest

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

29 Comments
Oldest
Newest Most Voted
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments
bin judgin
bin judgin
11 years ago

sad to see the huge freehub bearing go away…what will it look like with the freehub off now? cool to see them progressing though.

Brandon
Brandon
11 years ago

I love the tint on the black anno on the hub body. Black freehub and axle ends look great too.

Hell Yeah!
Hell Yeah!
11 years ago

What! Weight limit 200????!!!!!

dicky
11 years ago

That weight limit is on the 24 spoke wheels.

vhom
vhom
11 years ago

Trail wheels that have a weight limit…? What a joke……

Nick p
11 years ago

Dear Industry 9,
Please consider doing Turquoise ano to match my Yeti! I can’t stop thinking about it..

Bieberhole69
Bieberhole69
11 years ago

The weight limit is on the 24 hole set, if you bothered to read the article. It is actually pretty impressive that a sub 1600g 29er set, with a spoke count that low has that high of a weight limit. Not to mention the fact that it is closing in on the inner and outer width of the flow ex with a claimed weight that is lower than an arch ex. If you have a problem with weight limits just buy the 32 hole. I can’t wait to get a pair

Steve M
Steve M
11 years ago

Awfully pretty.

Kovas
11 years ago

Love i9s, but those bearings were unbelievably fragile. Little water or sand and forget it – them bearings be toast! i9s were my bone-dry-conditions-only wheels.

I’m hoping the new Torch hubs have addressed the issue with those new silicone seals and bearing placement… time will tell.

Bubbrubb
Bubbrubb
11 years ago

…or, just but a King hub set which has no bearing issues, seems to require less maintenance, doesn’t require expensive, fragile, proprietary spokes, and is a true Made in the USA product.

Bill
Bill
11 years ago

Bubbrubb, I agree. If you are going to unload that kind of money, go the CK/Stan’s route. May not be as fancy with all the pretty spokes, but you can still get chased around the trails by the pack of angry bees.

Bubbrubb
Bubbrubb
11 years ago

My comment is not to be the typical bike rumor hater bs, but based in real world knowledge since I’ve worked extensively with both companies’ products. The bling factor with colors and customization is definitely tangible, but for those who want the technology at a lower price: Mavic. But in the end, King offers colors, and a good LBS will be able to offer plenty of custom bling on a real USA product.

Jason
11 years ago

@Bubbrubb – Real USA product?

My understanding is that all their parts, except their rims, are made in Asheville. Admittedly, Asheville is kinda weird, but it’s well within the political borders of the USA.

Keifer
Keifer
11 years ago

The King hubs may not require proprietary spokes, but neither do the I9’s…you did see the classic hubs, right? Something King’s do require that I9’s don’t are proprietary tools to do basic maintenance. Ditto with the bearings. Mavic isn’t even in the same class. Oh, and everything is machined in Asheville NC. American made, low-drag (now), truly sealed bearings, custom colors, and 3degree engagement. What’s the advantage to buying King’s?

NCMTB
NCMTB
11 years ago

@Bubbrubb – Real USA product?

What spokes/nipples/rims are you riding on your CK wheelset to make it a real USA product all the way around. Yes, I9 uses foreign made rims and bearings to complete their wheelsets, but I highly doubt you are running USA made spokes/nipples/rims on your stuff. And I am not hating on CK as I only use their headsets/bbs on all my bikes. They probably make the best bearings in the world, but their hubs need proprietary tools to maintain them where the I9s only need allen keys. I am 6’4″ 240 and ride off every jump and drop i find and never have broken an I9 spoke. You must have a lot of “just riding along” issues with the “extensive” use you see as I also have have extensive real world knowledge from the 20 sets of riding partners I9s I maintain and see weekly with no issues beyond normal yearly maintenance. And yes I am a biased NC resident that loves the I9 guys and their fantastic product/customer service. My self/wife/brother/sister/and best riding friends have their wheels on both mtb/road bikes and wouldn’t think of having anything else or going back to the CK sets we used to have on each that I also built/maintained. It is cool you are a CK guy but I am I9 guy who I beat has the same amount of experience and respectfully disagrees with you.

Mindless
Mindless
11 years ago

@Bubbrubb: better yet get Hadley.

greg
greg
11 years ago

dt swiss makes straight gauge, and i think competition, spokes, in their Colorado factory/warehouse. maybe some others.

greg
greg
11 years ago

actually, it looks like they make ALL the US-bound spokes there…

lucero
lucero
11 years ago

Velocity is making rims in the US now, if you are interested in building a made in America wheelset.

Gregg C
Gregg C
11 years ago

Phil Wood and Wheelsmith have US made spokes/nipples. And of course Enve’s rims are US made.
http://oldglorymtb.com/mountain-bike-parts-made-in-america/

ben
ben
11 years ago

I have ridden CK and i9 for years….but the maintenance on i9 seems to always push me back to CK…plus ano on i9 seems to fade very quickly… both great boutique components but CK still rules in my stable…

Tim
Tim
11 years ago

Every time I have seen a non singlespeed King rear hub on a bike (on my own bike or someone else’s in a bike shop, sample size around 20 hubs), it has one of two problems- 1) it drags. 2) it is very slightly loose- I grab the rear rim, hold the frame in place with my other hand, and am able to visibly (slightly) wobble the rear hub. For that reason, I will not buy any more King rear hubs, even though it does not result in the hub getting damaged. The front ones are good, and the headsets of course are good, but for the money they want for the rears, that problem should not be there.
Wonder how good the I9s really are…

CMan
CMan
11 years ago

Any word when QBP will get orders of the blk/blk 29″ trail (32 spoke) wheelset?

Mindless
Mindless
11 years ago

@Tim: headsets are good only since they finally got the split rings. That wobble they had – it sucked on a long travel forks. Cane Creek, or Acros are better value anyway.

I have King headset on one bike – now my wife’s. Could not resist the bling factor. Nope, did not buy again (and finally retrofitted it with a split ring top).

bin judgin
bin judgin
11 years ago

i like chris king for everything except the actual products they produce.

i like 120 POE

Krank
Krank
11 years ago

Phil Wood spokes are made by Hoshi in japan.

harlan
harlan
11 years ago

It’s common to associate the “coolness” of iNine with “bling”. That’s only a shallow assumption of their value. The aluminum spokes and the points of engagement create a wheel with unmatched stiffness and response to rider input. If you ride a 29er you cannot mimic the feel of an iNine unless you spend the money on a carbon rim to increase the stiffness. Even then, the increased rotational mass of traditional spokes drags down any improvement of that ‘not-so-light’ rim you added.

Keep p-shawing the color choices all you like. There is a lot going on behind the curtain.

Canucklehead
Canucklehead
11 years ago

I’m disappointed. As others pointed out, this just adds to the already existing market. There’s no challenge to upper tier — Chris King, DT Swiss, etc — because it’s basically the same product. Heck, I’d put Hope hubs against these. Hubs strike me the same as rims — disc brakes are here, but there’s no innovation. Axle size is a bigger deal than weight.

I built a sub 1450 g disc wheelset with Stans and DT Swiss for about the same as the I9’s. And that’s 32 spoke…

Bwhit
Bwhit
11 years ago

Ordered a set this week 32hole-29ers, can’t wait!

Subscribe Now

Sign up to receive BikeRumor content direct to your inbox.

Subscribe Now

Sign up to receive BikeRumor content direct to your inbox.