Trade 9 Hydra Enduro S Carbon Evaluation: 3,000 Miles In

compose Logan Watts
time Aug 17, 2022
remark 15

This isn’t our first rodeo with Trade 9’s Enduro S wheels. You could find a assessment of the venerable alloy Enduro S linked within the Associated Content material grid on the backside of the publish. Nonetheless, after I9 expanded the product line to incorporate a carbon model a few years in the past, we wished to offer them a run for his or her cash too. I’ve been testing a pair of the Hydra Enduro S Carbon for over two years now, and based mostly on semi-educated estimates, I’ve put round 3,000 miles (4,500 kilometers) on them. That features each bikepacking and path driving on my totally inflexible Nordest Sardinha and ripping round singletrack on my full-squish Ibis Ripley. Learn on for my long-term assessment to see how they’ve held up.

S is for Metal

I9’s “S” sequence has lengthy been certainly one of my private favourite wheel strains. Whereas they’re not as flashy because the model’s signature aluminum-spoke “System” wheels, the S sequence wheelsets are nonetheless hand-built in Asheville, North Carolina, and have the corporate’s house-machined fast-engagement hubs. And what they lack in bling, they make up for with a terrific roster of specs in a extra inexpensive worth level. Don’t get me incorrect, these aren’t finances wheels. However, the purpose is, you continue to get I9 high quality wheels, and so they’re not as dear as I9’s top-shelf fashions—and so they’re arguably extra sturdy.

Other than being inexpensive, probably the most notable distinction from Trade 9’s System Wheels is that the S sequence makes use of metal spokes, as an alternative of I9’s signature anodized aluminum spokes. This leads to a barely extra supple experience, for my part. I’ve tried each and I really choose metal spokes over aluminum for the experience high quality, which I’ll get to later. However earlier than I dig in, let me rapidly summarize the S sequence lineup of choices. There are two primary wheelset choices: Path and Enduro. The Path options rims with 28mm inner widths, whereas the Enduro S has a 31mm IW, made for tires starting from 2.3-2.8″, based on I9. In my view, the 31mm width is good for two.4 and a couple of.6″ tires, that are just about the one two widths I exploit these days. It’s the candy spot for path driving and bikepacking.

From there, each the Path and Enduro are available Hydra or 1/1, and there a few key variations between the 2. The Hydra wheelsets use the blazing quick Hydra hub, providing .52° of engagement, whereas the 1/1 sequence has the 6-pawl 1/1 hub with 90 factors (4°) of engagement. However that’s not the one differentiator. The Hydra line additionally options straight-pull spokes, whereas the 1/1 get basic J-bend spokes. Then there are carbon or alloy variations of every, making six variations in all. It’s also possible to get them in Increase or Tremendous-Increase widths, with a MicroSpline, HG, or XD hub driver.

Spoken Merely

The Trade 9 Enduro S has all the time been about simplicity and reliability, which is among the the explanation why we liked the unique. The newer Hydra Enduro S Carbon carries on this custom with the identical versatile 31mm inner rim width, the identical 6-bolt rotor solely hub possibility, and the identical three-cross, 28-count Sapim Race 14G straight pull spokes. These are all options that talk my language. Higher but, the wheels use a single 303mm spoke size on either side and on each wheels. That’s a pleasant contact, particularly when you’re one to hold an additional spoke or two on lengthy bikepacking journeys.

Hub Sturdiness

I already wrote an in depth assessment on the Hydra hub, which you’ll find linked within the Associated Content material grid beneath. In abstract, I9’s Hydra included a brand new phased pawl system that’s sooner, quieter, and superior to the older Torch hubs on a number of fronts. Faster engagement apart, the largest development got here with the bearing and axle redesign. As said in that assessment, I had no points after 1,000 miles, and haven’t even needed to service these after 3,000 miles. Granted, I used two freehubs all through the take a look at (one XD and one MicroSpline), and it may use some recent grease, as you possibly can see within the images beneath. However I haven’t needed to exchange any bearings, and there’s no bearing play to talk of, which is fairly spectacular.

Setup and Experience Really feel

Most fun, the Trade 9 Hydra Enduro S Carbon wheels get these stunning stealthy carbon rims. The edges function a hookless bead and a pleasant, clear aesthetic. They arrived at my door taped with tubeless valves in place. Tire set up was fast and simple with a flooring pump. Be aware that these aren’t the identical carbon rims utilized in I9’s high-end, totally North American-made System wheels. The edges on the carbon S sequence wheels are made by Reynolds in Asia to maintain the value down. Though they in all probability aren’t as mild, both, they nonetheless have that diminished rolling weight really feel that’s the principle profit I like about carbon wheels. All instructed, the set weighs 1,778 grams (946g/823g R/F) grams, which makes them about 110 grams lighter than their alloy Enduro S counterparts (998g/890g)—precise weights for 29er variations, taped with valves.

Not solely are they simple on the scales and the eyes, I9 ticked lots of different containers with these rims, and so they appear to have found out the magical recipe for experience really feel too. I’m guessing that this has as a lot to do with the spoke depend because it does with the carbon layup on the edges, however I discovered the Hydra Enduro S Carbon to be one of many nicest feeling carbon wheelsets I’ve ridden. Usually talking, they appear to supply a strong stability of sure-footed accuracy with sufficient of a supple high quality to take the sting off and never really feel overly harsh.

As talked about within the intro, I used these wheels largely on a inflexible Nordest Sardihna. It had been some time since I rode aggressive singletrack on a inflexible bike, however I bought into it with the Sardinha. Anybody who’s been there is aware of that that interprets to a beat down on the physique and on parts alike. These rims noticed loads of knocks, dings, and bashes on roots and rocks, in addition to exhausting hits and impacts.

After utilizing them on the Sardinha for some time, I moved them over to my full-suspension Ibis Ripley, the place they’ve been for over a yr. The Ripley noticed simply as many miles of rugged path rides round Pisgah. I took them off the opposite day, eliminated the fourth or fifth set of tires which have been on them, and cleaned them as much as examine every thing up shut. Other than a few scuffs on the perimeters of the edges, there’s no proof of harm in any respect. And, as talked about, every thing appears true and intact, and the hubs are nonetheless operating easily and really feel strong. I’m planning on giving them some recent grease and transferring them over to a different construct this week. I count on them to maintain on ticking—or buzzing, I suppose.

• Weight 1,778 grams grams (29er set)
• Place of Manufacture Rims: China / Spokes: Taiwan / Hubs: NC, USA
• Value $1,850
• Producer’s Particulars IndustryNine.com

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