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Towcester (pronounced toaster) saw the 2024 edition of the CORE Bike Show kick off yesterday. In audible distance of the Silverstone race track, brands were showing off their latest component offerings for (mostly) non-motorized two-wheeled vehicles. Industry Nine was one such brand, teasing a new SOLiX road hubset and what we believe to be new carbon wheels for gravel and all-roading; the AR40.
To be clear, we have no official details on these whatsoever. However, we were permitted to take a few photographs, and some details can be inferred. A beautiful titanium bike in the form of the Reilly Cycleworks Gradient was sporting the new wheels. First up, that deep(ish) section carbon rim reveals this wheelset is likely intended as an aero all-road wheelset. The AR40 decals indicate a 40mm depth.
Industry Nine does already offer the .45 wheelset that is broadly aimed at road, gravel and CX. It’s rim has a 21mm internal width. It’s possible this new wheelset is a more impact resistant offering, optimized for the rigors of all-road (AR?) and fast gravel. If so, it’s likely to have a slightly wider internal rim width (up to 25mm, perhaps) to better support larger volume tires in an aero-friendly fashion. The rim was supporting a Continental Grand Prix 500 S TR tire.
Twenty-four bladed steel spokes lace the rim to pink anodized hubs. They are of the straight-pull variety, and they thread into regular raised flanges on both sides.
On the shelf nearby was a set of pink anodized hubs of the J-Bend Center-Lock variety. The wave-like profile of the flanges sets them apart from the Classic road hubs, or indeed the 1/1 hubs, and the driver has the words, “SOLiX Road” printed on it, with a logo that depicts five pawls. Meanwhile, Torch Road hubs house just three pawls, whereas the 1/1 hubs have six.
It’s difficult to glean much more just now. However, in consideration of this teaser and the current sale now on Industry Nine’s .35, .45, and Ultralite 250 wheels, it looks as though the brand are set to overhaul their range of all-road and gravel wheels. More from us on the Industry Nine AR40 when we have it.
Over the next few days, I’ll have an appreciable quantity of new technology to share with you from the CORE Bike Show, while my colleague Ed Spratt will be sharing all things MTB over on Pinkbike.