A couple of 12 months and a half in the past, Trade 9 launched two new wheel strains for All Highway and Gravel. The transfer got here shortly after introducing their new SOLiX hub line, which was constructed round providing lighter hubs with lowered drag, however nonetheless preserving the engagement very excessive.
The result’s a hub with 605 factors of engagement utilizing 5 pawls which might be repeatedly phased and a 121-tooth drivering. That 0.59º engagement feels like lots, and it’s… simply not as quick as their new Hydra 2 hubs with 0.41º engagement. Realistically, although, the 0.59º engagement is far more than you want for street driving, so the decreased drag and lighter weight of the SOLiX hub is an ideal match for the brand new Aero Highway Wheels.
With Gravel and All Highway already accounted for with the SOLiX G and SOLiX SL AR, Trade 9 is specializing in quick street driving with the brand new SOLiX Aero Highway assortment.
Supplied within the R35, R50, or R65 (R for Highway), the brand new rims are barely wider with an up to date aero profile meant to match trendy wider street tires. I9 states that the wheels are optimized for 28-30mm tires for one of the best aero efficiency, however I’ve been driving them with 32mm tires with out problem, because the protected tire vary is listed as 25-35mm.
The principle targets for I9 with the brand new Aero line had been to supply extra stability in diverse wind circumstances, whereas additionally lowering aero drag and rim weight. Notably, solely the center R50 adjustments in depth, with the earlier center rim measuring 45mm. In comparison with I9’s most up-to-date Aero street wheels, plainly they’ve met their targets, claiming enhancements on each rim dimension. In comparison with earlier fashions, the R35 boasts a 3% weight discount and seven% discount in common watt/hr, the R50 is 3% lighter and a pair of% extra environment friendly, and the R65 is 5% lighter and 10% extra environment friendly.
The entire rims function a 22mm inside width (up 1mm from the earlier 21mm), persevering with with a hooked profile for straightforward tubeless setup and improved tire retention. Constructed with 24 bladed metal straight-pull spokes, the spoke nipples are exterior for straightforward upkeep.
Accessible with Centerlock hubs solely, the hubs can be found in both commonplace quick-release spacing (100/135), or the extra trendy 12 x 100/142mm through axle spacing. 4 completely different freehubs are provided, together with Shimano HG11 or MS-R, SRAM XD-R, and Campy N3W.
Wheelsets begin at $2,265 for the R35 in black and prime out at $2,295 for the R65. In fact, you may customise the colours of your wheels with the I9 Ano lab, and select particular person hub colours, nipple colours, and improve to ceramic bearings, all for added prices. Wheels will even be obtainable individually, or as combined units with a deeper profile for the again.
SOLiX Aero wheels are lined by the Trade 9 Carbon Rim Restricted Lifetime Assure, which supplies lifetime rim protection in opposition to defects or influence injury for the unique proprietor – simply you’ll want to learn the guarantee coverage to get the total particulars.
I9 SOLiX R50 Aero Wheel Assessment
Trade 9 set us up with a set of the brand new SOLiX Aero wheels nicely forward of the launch date, so we may frontload the miles. I opted for the center R50 as that depth has been my each day go-to for some time now. A number of my street driving is flat, however then there are many climbs out of the river valleys the place a lighter wheel continues to be welcomed.
On the dimensions, my R50s with tape, valves, and an XD-R freehub checked in at 779g for the rear and 664g for the entrance. That places them at 1,443g for the pair, barely over the 1,410g claimed – which seemingly means the claimed weight is with out tape or valves.
Certainly one of my favourite elements of the brand new SOLiX wheels is how simple it was to arrange tubeless. I had determined to make use of a pair of Schwalbe Professional One tubeless tires in 700 x 32mm as my tire of alternative. These had been the identical tires that I’ve been fighting to carry tubeless on one other wheelset for a 12 months. Seems, it’s undoubtedly not the tire that was the problem.
The Schwalbes mounted as much as the SOLiX rims extremely simply, and with out the necessity for instruments. A fast burst from the air compressor seated the tires effortlessly, and so they’ve held air since with none problem.
Notably, the identical tires that hardly stuffed out to the claimed 32mm on earlier rims now measured 35mm on the SOLiX rims. For me, that was good as a result of I wished to run wider tires, and it matches within the body and fork of my bike. However preserve that in thoughts once you’re deciding on your tire width.
The SOLiX wheels really feel like an ideal match for my Why Cycles PR street bike. It’s been a favourite of mine for years, and despite the 32mm claimed tire clearance for the body, the 35mm tires on the SOLiX rim simply match. Notice that my wheels had been despatched with blacked-out graphics from the earlier I9 Aero line, and the manufacturing graphics will match the studio photographs above. Whereas customized graphics should not provided by means of I9, you may get customized decals by means of I9’s official companions: Slik Graphics or Groundkeeper.
The hubs have that trademark I9 sound, but it surely’s quieter and higher-pitched than the Hydra hubs. It’s additionally quieter and fewer aggressive than the DT Swiss freehub on the Roval wheels these changed. Folks will nonetheless hear you coming in the event you’re coasting, but it surely’s not as intrusive.
At this level, I’ve had fairly a couple of rides on the Trade 9 SOLiX wheels, together with a couple of that had been very moist. All the pieces is rolling simply as easily as they had been out of the field – possibly smoother. My check wheels have the usual metal bearings in them, however they nonetheless spin extremely nicely. One of many major targets of the SOLiX hub design was to lower drag, and you may definitely really feel that on the street.
It’s at all times arduous to quantify aero enhancements out on the open street, however I can say that the wheels really feel very composed in gusty cross winds. I’ve but to have that hair-raising expertise the place the wind muscle tissues your entrance wheel out from underneath you, forcing you to react and battle the gusts.
Simply as necessary, the SOLiX wheels have a superb trip really feel. Coupled with the added cushion of a tire measuring 35mm, it will likely be very arduous to return to the rest. I had the belief the opposite day that I’m by no means going to trip a 25mm street tire once more, and actually, 28mm tires will most likely be in that very same class quickly.
Yow will discover lighter, or cheaper wheels, however there are few on the market that supply this mix of trip high quality, efficiency, ease of use, and the power to make them your personal. The brand new SOLiX Aero Highway Wheels examine quite a lot of bins and are an ideal addition to your favourite trendy street bike.