BikeBiz Bicycle and cycling retail news
SRAM has joined the mountain bike wheel market with the introduction of the XC-suited Rise series.
Both 26 and 29-inch sizes feature in two versions – the RISE 60 carbon wheel, aimed at XC racers and performance-obsessed riders, and the other for the RISE 40, the aluminum wheel which targets versatile XC all-arounders.
“A lot of wheel companies tend to focus on one design attribute on their wheels, such as low weight or lateral stiffness,” said SRAM Wheel product manager Bastien Donzé. “Our goal from the start was to design a wheel that offers all the best possible ride characteristics.”
Engineers are said to have toyed with several rim materials, flange designs and spoke angles before reaching conclusions on which combinations achieved the optimal all-round stiffness. Both Rise 60 and Rise 40 hubs are carved from aluminum for optimal weight and energy transfer. Encased in the Rise 60 hub is a unique pawl design that maximises efficiency and power.
Straight pull spokes feature throughout and 15mm or quick release axle options will be available for front wheels, while rear hubs come in either 35mm QR or 142x12mm.
Weights are as follows:
Rise 60 pair at 26-inch: 1,330g, or 1,420g for the 29-inch version.
Rise 40 pair at 26-inch: 1,710g, or 1,840g for the 29-inch version.
UK prices are yet to be announced. SRAM is reported to be working on its own tubeless conversion kit.
Fisher Outdoor Leisure is the UK distributor for SRAM.
