Sea Otter Day Two – Wheels

Photos Morgan Taylor

Date Apr 20, 2012

Wheels are an ongoing point of discussion. Reducing your rotating mass is often said to be the best place for your dollars. Companies offer a huge range of aftermarket options, usually compatible with all frame and fork axle standards with available adapters. Here’s a look at some of the options from the aftermarket producers, and some tires from Continental at the bottom.

Crank Brothers

Crank Brothers 26″ and 29″ wheels. Anybody out there using these?

New to the Crank Bros lineup is a 29″ AM wheel set.

A minimal amount of paired spokes is reminiscent of Bontrager’s previous offerings.

DT Swiss

DT’s new FX1950 wheelset is a freeride and DH-specific set.

The lime green colour is apparently due to Richie Schley’s influence. The OE market has already been asking DT for custom colours, but this is the first aftermarket option we see in another colour.

Tubeless ready, 30mm wide rims, 26mm on the inside.

White spokes and green decals… good for your Trek Slash?

DT’s budget AM 29er set features j-bend spokes and an 1800 gram weight. Around $600 a set.

The All Mountain 29 wheelset is on the more affordable end of the DT scale.

The Tricon 29er set is higher on the price scale, with straight pull spokes and a lighter rim.

DT’s really happy with the 36 tooth upgrade for their star ratchet systems. Double the engagement, hollowed out for weight savings.

Continental Tires

Continental has a really simple lineup of tires: four tread patterns in two sizes.

Noteworthy for the local conditions is the Protection Revolution tubeless ready sidewall. Conti is now producing their own tubeless sealant, with a lack of nasty chemicals that other sealants apparently have.