650b Carbon Trail Bike Wheel Buyer’s Guide

Carbon wheels are the ultimate upgrade to an already sweet ride, but tricked out hoops come with premium prices. There’s also the question of durability. Wheels get the worst beating of all our components, but there’s no arguing the performance advantages once you’ve tried riding light, stiff hoops. The question is whether or not you find the cost worth the price of entry.

Amongst our peers, the two models discussed most often lie on the opposite ends of the pricing spectrum: Enve and Light Bicycle. That said, there are quite a few models available these days, so we sat down and compiled a list of all the options for our 2016 (note: we’re currently updating this list for 2016) 650b Carbon Trail Bike Wheelset Buyer’s Guide.

Our criteria for this list was simple. These are wheels we’d consider for our personal bikes. The bike world doesn’t need another a generic buyers guide, instead this list is a running tally of options worth considering for aggressive trail riding. To save you time, we’re including hyperlinks to the most prominent reviews online.

To make this list, rims widths need to be 23mm wide internally or wider. Anything less is dated at this point, especially considering the current plus movement. They also need to be trail or all mountain rated and capable.

There are notable gaps from a number of wheel makers, but if they don’t recommend using it on a long travel trail bike or enduro rig, they’re out. A list of of 29″ wheels is also in progress for those that prefer bigger wheels.

Light Bicycle

The most inexpensive carbon wheels available are being sourced directly by the end user straight from China. There are plenty of reports of the rims failing, but just as many happy riders seem to be posting positive experiences on the forums, so there’s that. The downside? The purchasing experience on the website is a bit confusing and you’ll need to factor in shipping, as well how you plan to pay them. There’s likely an import duty to factor in as well, since you’re importing wheels from overseas.

Light Bicycle 650b 30mm wide hookless rims with Novatec Hubs — $564 ($799 with Hope Pro 2 hubs)

• 1455 grams for the wheel set using the WM650bC02 rims
• 24mm inner rim width
• 30mm external rim width
• Beadless: hookless rim wall
• One year warranty listed

Light Bicycle 650b 38mm wide hookless rims with Novatec Hubs — $624 ($823 with Hope hubs)

• 1625 grams for the wheel set
• 30mm inner rim width
• 35mm external rim width
• Beadless: hookless rim wall
• One year warranty
• Material: full carbon Toray T700

The rims can be ordered as built up wheels or as rims alone with pricing depending on the options chosen. Reviews on the rim/ wheels vary, and there is a lack of reviews from any mainstream bike websites. There is quite a bit of buzz on them on various forums though and the positive seems to outweigh the negative. As the ordering process is a pain in the ass, we’ve heard the best way to go is to order a spare rim to have on hand for when issues arise, as well as choosing the DH layup.

www.light-bicycle.com

While researching imported Chinese rims we also encountered an additional rim from a company called Nextie, which looks to take the crown as the least expensive rim pricing we’ve seen at $160 a rim.

Ibis 741 27.5 — $1449.99

Ibis was an early adopter of going wide. Their 741 rim measures in at 41mm, which is about as wide as you can go and still run a frame not designed for fat tires. They aren’t the lightest carbon wheels you’ll find, instead aiming for stiffness, stability and cornering performance with the larger tread footprint. While we haven’t seen or ridden the 650b version, we have ridden the wide 29″ version and it’s no joke — the wide wheels mob down hill. They’re an extremely stable ride, though they aren’t the wheels I’d want for doing long climbs on.

When Ibis first released the 741 carbon fiber wheel set, they came with house brand hubs priced at $1299. They’ve since upgraded the hub spec to include the more durable DT 350 rear hub and bumped up the price to $1449. Listed weights have also increased, from 1650 grams to 1768 grams.

• 1768 grams
• 35mm inner rim width
• 41mm external width
• Hookless bead rims
• Limited 3 years warranty, low cost no fault replacement $?

Check them out at Ibiscycles.com

Reviews: The Ibis wheels have a number of listed reviews that all offer positive feedback.

Pink Bike: Ibis’s Ultra Wide 741 Carbon Wheels – Review
Bike Radar: Ibis 741 cabon 650b wheelset
MTB Mag: Reviewed: Ibis 741 wheelset
Singletracks: Review: Ibis Mojo HDR 27.5 and the new Ibis 41mm Carbon Rims

Specialized Roval Traverse SL Fattie 650b — $1500.00

When we first saw the press release for the Traverse SL Fattie, I thought it was a wheel set designed for fat bikes based on the confusing name. It’s actually a light weight all mountain rated carbon wheel set coming in at a svelte 1530 grams for a very reasonable (for carbon wheels obviously) $1500.

The Fattie SL might be one of the best options currently, combining light weight and a wide foot print, name brand hubs and the backing of one of the biggest names in the business.

• 1550 grams
• 30mm inner rim width
• Zero bead hook design
• spokes: 24 front, 28 rear
• DT Swiss freehub and spokes
• Rider weight limit: 240lbs
• Warranty: 3 years
• Crash replacement: $125 per rim plus labor

View at Specialized.com

Reviews:

Pink Bike: Roval Traverse SL Fattie Wheelset Review
NSMB: Roval Traverse Fattie SL Wheels

Nox Composites Teocalli 275 — $1538 (with I-9 hubs)

Nox Composites offers two carbon fiber wheelsets in 650b. The Teocalli 275 is listed at their ultimate trail bike rim for 650b bikes. Offered with Industry 9, King, Hope and DT hubs, wheel set weights range from 1450 grams (with DT 240s hubs) to 1558 grams. (with King hubs) It’s also available as rim only for $479 each.

Nox wheels are hand built in Tennessee.

• 1450 g – 1558g dependent on hubs
• 26mm inner rim width
• 32mm external width
• 3mm wide Rockguard Hookless bead
• Limited 2 year warranty
• rim crash replacement cost: $275

View at NoxComposites.com

Reviews: none currently

Hifi Session Wide Carbon MTB Wheels – $1629

A new entry to our list, HiFi is a Portland based wheel outfit that got their start with a focus on cyclocross. The Session is available in two models, the Session and Session Wide. Their specs are a bit confusing though; the width of the Session Wide is listed at 33mm wide, but doesn’t specifiy if that is the external or internal measurement. Most riders look to the inner width measurement these days as the indicator of how tire profiles will behave. We’ll update their listing once we’ve heard back from them.

• Rim width 33mm(?)
• Spokes: 24/28H or 32/32H available
• Listed weight 1385g (presumably for the lightest configuration, non-wide)
• Warranty: Two-year crash replacement

View at RideHiFi.com

American Classic Carbonator Wheelset – $1799

Other than marketing copy on the American Classic website we don’t know much about these wheels, but they come in at a competitive price point with a one year warranty covering defects in manufacturing. We’re unable to locate crash replacement rim costs, but they do offer a one-time-per-wheel crash replacement program for $300 that must be purchased within 10 days of the wheelset for an additional $300.

• 1595 grams
• 26mm inner rim width
• 33mm external width
• Bead barb technology
• Intended use: XC/ Enduro
• 32H 3 front and rear

View at www.amclassic.com
Reviews: none found

Reynolds 27.5 AM Carbon — $1900

The Reynolds Cycling AM wheels don’t offer much in the way of weight loss at a listed 1710 grams, (though we’ve also seen them listed at 1620 which is a bit confusing) but they’re rated as enduro friendly and offer a crash replacement program. They’re positioned as slightly more affordable than their Black Label offering.

• 1710 grams
• 23 mm internal rim width
• 31mm external width
• Spokes: 28/28
• Listed rim weight: 440g.
• Limited 2 year warranty
• Rim crash replacement: $580

View at ReynoldCycling.com
Reviews:
Enduro MTB — Team Tested Reynolds 27.5 AM Tubeless Carbon Wheelset

SRAM ROAM 60 27.5 Wheels — $2199

The SRAM Roam runs a bit on the narrow side with a 21mm inner rim width but are listed for use for anything from XC to AM riding and come in at a light 1570 grams. (actual weights are more with tape and valves) They’re available in 26″, 650b and 29″.

• 1570 grams
• 21mm inner rim width
• 28mm external rim width
• UST TUBELESS rims feature hooked edges
• Warranty: two years, no crash replacement policy listed

View at Sram.com

Reviews:
BikeMag: Review: SRAM Roam 60 Wheelset
Bike Radar: SRAM ROAM 60 650b Wheelset review
Flow Mountain Bike: SRAM ROAM 60 Carbon Wheels

Bontrager Rhythm Pro TLR Disc 27.5 — $2199

The Bontrager Rhythm Pro comes in at a light weight 1585 grams (listed) for the set. Widths are fairly standard with a 22.5mm inner width, but for the price you’re getting a wheel set without any rider weight restrictions.  The hubs feature interchangeable axles for compatibility between 135/142, QR/15mm and Shimano/SRAM freehubs, but not the new boost 148.

We’ve owned a number of Bontrager wheels and they back up their product with a solid warranty. They’ve also received solid marks with a number of reviews already available online.

• 1585 grams
• OCLV Carbon
• 22.5mm inner rim width
• 29mm external width
• 28 Hole F/R

View at Bontrager.com

Reviews:
Pinkbike: Bontrager Rhythm Pro TLR Wheelset – Review
Flow Mountain Bike: Tested: Bontrager Rhythm Pro TLR carbon 27.5 wheels
VitalMTB: Bontrager Rhythm Pro TLR

Mercury X1 Carbon 27.5 — $2199

We don’t know much about this Utah based wheel outfit, but they seem to be accruing a following on the road scene. The X1 wheels are built around convertible 6-bolt 28 spoke hubs laced to Sapim RACE spokes in a 2 cross lace pattern.

• Listed weight: 1,530g
• 2 year warranty
• 28 Hole, F&R
• Rim inner width: 26mm
• Rim outer width: 32mm

View at MercuryCycling.com

Easton Haven Carbon 27.5 Wheels — $2300

The Easton Haven is posed for a re-release with a narrow internal width of 21mm. With numbers like that I think XC bike, but it is listed as enduro-capable. They’re certainly light weight at a listed 1500 grams for the set though, and are aimed at XC and All Mountain riders. One caveat: Easton hubs have gotten a bit of a bad reputation in term of durability. But since the design is dated, you might be able to find a good price on them.

• Listed Weight 1500 grams
• All Mountain/ Enduro rated
• Include tubeless valve stems
• Two year no-questions asked warranty (!)
• 21mm inner rim width
• 26mm external rim width

The Haven Carbon at Eastoncycling.com

Reviews:
VitalMTB — Tested: Easton Haven Carbon 27.5 Wheelset

Reynolds BlackLabel 27.5 AM Wheels — $2400

Reynolds BlackLabel 650b carbon wheels are the premium wheel offering from the brand with a listed weight of 1525 grams, significantly less than their other 27.5″ carbon wheel offering. Part of the weight looks to be with the DT 240 hub spec’d with the splined centerlock rotor interface.

• 1525 grams
• 23 mm internal rim width
• 31mm external width
• Spokes: 28/28
• Limited 2 year warranty
• Rim crash replacement: $580

View at ReynoldsCycling.com

Reviews: no full reviews found

Enve M Series 60 Forty Carbon Wheelset — $2399

Enve offers two models for trail riders with the 60 Forty aimed at the all around trail rider looking for light weight performance. It’s offered with 28 and 32 hole rim/hub options. When we first started research for this buyers guide it was listed at $2718, but details on the page have since changed and it appears to be listed at $2399 now.

• Listed weight: 1532.40 grams
• Intended for 105-150mm travel rigs/ trail use
• 23mm internal rim width
• 29mm external rim width

View on Enve.com

Enve M70 Thirty Carbon 27.5 Wheels — $2399 w/DT Hubs

The Enve 70 Thirty is the enduro rated wheelset from Enve. Like the 60 Forty, they start at $2399. The price and weight varies a bit based on the hub you choose. You’re looking at $2718 with a DT 2406b hub. Enve also offers a five year manufacturer’s warranty as well as a lifetime crash replacement. (crash replacement cost is 50% off listed MSRP)

• 1624 grams
• Intended for 150mm-190mm travel rigs/ All Mountain/ Enduro
• 25mm inner width
• 32mm external width
• Five year warranty and Lifestyle Crash Replacement

View on Enve.com