The Crankbrothers’ Synthesis tuned wheelset is now available in aluminium, for XC/Trail, Enduro and E-Bike disciplines. The Synthesis concept, originally materialized in carbon, is devised around a stiff rear wheel and a more compliant front wheel. Designers Mello Bouwmeester and Jason Schiers reckon this platform respects the differing roles of, and loads carried by, a front and rear wheel. We tested the Crankbrothers’ Synthesis Alloy Enduro Wheelset on our home trails of Innerleithen, Scotland.
We have reviewed the 29″ Synthesis E Alloy Wheelset on Industry Nine’s 1/1 hub with 4° engagement. Crankbrothers also offer a Synthesis Alloy Wheelset with Crankbrothers’ standard hubset, made by i9 on their behalf. It is considerably cheaper than the 1/1 hubset, but is also heavier, offering 17° engagement. That said, Crankbrothers sell the front and rear wheels separately, so you invest in the rapid engagement i9 hub, and save a bit of money on the front hub. The wheels were intended for a Cannondale Jekyll 29 enduro bike, thus Crankbrothers kindly redished the rear wheel as per Cannondale’s specifications for an even spoke length, tension and bracing angle.
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