Crankbrothers Release All New Synthesis “Tuned” Wheel Lineup

After a few years of never quite hitting the nail on the head with wheels, Crankbrothers have gone back to the drawing board with their approach to wheels. Dubbed Synthesis, the project goes back to a traditionally laced wheels and scraps the Laguna Beach brand’s unconventional system of the past. With that in mind, the new wheels actually do bring about a wealth of very smart, new features. Offered at XC, Enduro and DH platforms, Crankbrothers designed the wheels around the idea that the front wheel “turns” and the back wheel “tracks”. With this in mind, the spoke count and inner rim diameters are different front and back throughout the line. Front and rear specific rims aren’t all that are new though – “Project 321” hubs are a high end option for the XC and Enduro wheelsets and the only option on DH wheels. The hubs are US made in Bend, Oregon and use 6 magnetic (read: low drag) pawls on 144 points for a 2.5º engagement. The standard hubs come in at a lower price point and have 3 pawls and 21 points for 17º engagement.

We’re currently testing a set of the Synthesis E11 and will follow up in the coming months with our long term findings. Our first impressions are that this is an excellent new direction for Crankbrothers. Check out more of the details and pricing below…

Details

An interesting point regarding the carbon rims is that the varying inner diameter makes sense in two ways. First, having a slightly wider I.D. up front provides a slightly wider tire footprint, which is ideal. Second, the decreased ID out back comes from the fact that Crankbrothers add material to the sides on the rear wheel, which will make for a slightly stiffer, stronger rim. This makes sense as the back wheel tends to take more abuse.

Front and rear inner diameters and heights for Synthesis DH, E, and XCT rims, which are all available separately.

Rim profile – note the dimpled nipple bed and re-enforced, tire valve opening with flat surface.

The Project 321 hubs are stunning – the Enduro bearings that they roll on are silky smooth and the drag is almost non-existent.

Pricing

Synthesis DH

Synthesis E 11

Synthesis XCT 11

www.crankbrothers.com

Classifica generale Winter Cup 2024
Per partecipare carica le tue attività su Training Camp

Classifica mensile dislivello

Iscriviti al canale Whatsapp di MTB Mag per non perderti mai una notizia, clicca qui!

Share

Recent Posts

[First Ride] Transition Sentinel V3

In July I attended the launch of a new bike which I've given very high…

23/10/2024

2024 Red Bull Rampage Venue & Competition Details Released

Virgin, Utah (September 10, 2024) – In one month’s time, the first riders will drop in for…

11/09/2024

Redbull Rampage 2024: The Complete Athlete List

Virgin, Utah (August 21, 2024) – Eighteen of the top male freeride athletes have been invited to…

21/08/2024

Forbidden Druid V2: the true Pinkbike

Those who follow the mag assiduously will have noticed that one of the mountain bikes…

29/03/2024

[Review] Roval Traverse HD Wheelset

Late this Fall and throughout an unusually warm Winter I've been spending time aboard my…

15/03/2024

[Review] Specialized Epic 8 Evo

Specialized presents the new Epic 8, and with it the Evo version, i.e., the one…

12/03/2024