Forge+Bond EM 30 Carbon Mountain Bike Wheel Review

[@wx2999]

Very expensive and very heavy for the price. 2,000 grams and $1,900 dollars for an enduro wheelset is insane (original launch price was $2,600!) . I paid $1,200 to have Berd build me a 1,500g enduro wheelset (that's 1.1pounds of unsprung weight saved). If you want lighter, buy lighter, more expensive hubs, and maybe a carbon rim. If you want cheaper, get cheaper hubs and skip Berd spokes. Parts list: $115 NEWMEN Front Hub MTB FADE Straightpull 6-Bolt silver 15x110mm Thru Axle BOOST $215 NEWMEN Rear Hub MTB FADE Straightpull 6-Bolt silver 12x148mm Thru Axle BOOST $82 NOTUBES Rim 29" ZTR Flow MK4 28 Hole $80 RACE FACE Rim 27.5" 650B ARC 30 Offset 28 Hole $688 Berd custom wheelbuilding $32 76projects high flow valves $1,212 total

[@petertobey603]

Have you tried any of the We Are One carbon wheel sets. I switched to the Convergence last year. Just fun and a great ride. I am riding an Evil, Following on my local Vermont trails.

[@brivera25able]

How do these compare to the WeR1 Convergence wheel sets?

[@hardmtnbiker]

I absolutely love it when wheel companies sell rim only. Do you think they will be going any wider? i30 is the sweet spot but sometimes you want wider for bike packing wheels.

[@joshmccraty7064]

I’ve been in the market for a while and seen so many reviews but very few of the Gulo brand, also an American made wheel out of NC. They have the braided composite spokes too which lends itself to a 1470g weight for an enduro 30mm internal wheelset. The gme 30. Have you guys ever come across them? Supposedly very fast and stiff, yet with comfortable and harshness absorbing ride, but not noodly at all. Please do a real world test and see how they hold up. I’ve finally got a budget for a set but don’t want to waste it by getting the wrong wheels for me on the first go. 🤔🤨 Oh and you guys should check out the Black Math Bike for potentially being the closest thing to a “climbs like an xc and descends like an enduro+”. Would pay money to see a good review of that bike honestly! Thanks guys for your awesome content as always.

[@TheLoamWolf]

We have not heard of them actually! But, funny you mention paying for a review... We're talking about sending people to our "Membership" section of KZbin where folks can subscribe and one of the perks of joining is that we send out product monthly to some of our subscribers FOR THEM to test and review for our site! What do you think of that idea?

[@joshmccraty7064]

@@TheLoamWolf yeah, I hadn’t heard of them either until last week, but it’s amazing when you’re in the market for something and start searching with serious intent lol. And I did subscribe recently even though I have been watching your vids for quite a while. I’d love to participate in the testing and reviewing for you guys. I’ve actually done some testing for some small local outfit’s custom titanium frame mtb’s and other parts and components for people I know. I live/work/play in the Santa Cruz mountains (yes that Santa Cruz) and love to cover lots of ground and elevations with tons of variety. Xc/trail/enduro from fire roads to double black diamond trails. Deep Loam, loose over hard, rock gardens, smooth trails, no trails, whatever. Would really like to put those new schwalbe radials to the test and have been trying to buy them but can’t get them yet in my size and casing. Anyways, I’m a bike nerd and an engineering tinkerer that always wants to improve everything I use for work or play so let me know if you need me.

[@waynelenderman1115]

How do these compare to NOBLE wheels? Are the i9 the only hub option? Or can an Onyx hub be ordered with Berd spokes?

[@TheLoamWolf]

We found the Noble wheels to be very stiff vertically, and like these better if you want a touch more comfort or compliance.

[@travelersimports6915]

It did work for me, for my gravel bike, the max tire pressure is 40psi while I ride 42psi rear. Also it is about 40 grams heavier than 30mm dip 30mm wide T700/800 clincher rim. The finish is not so premium in comparison to traditionally non recyclable carbon rims. As a gravel wheelset, I will pass. For MTB, I will be aright, as long as the pressure is around 15psi.

[@jack91522]

These are heavy so I’m guessing they are more durable than the competition?

[@nicholashines7686]

would you choose Zipp moto or these if it was your money? Price and weight are about equal.

[@TheLoamWolf]

Most likely these unless we were absolutely looking for compliance and traction on off camber or slippery terrain above all else. The Zipps are great but flexy, which has pros and cons.

[@LaurentiusTriarius]

I don't like Zipp's "total efficiency system whatever" it's just hookless rims that cost waaaay less to produce and they have the guts to charge a premium for it... Go for this option or look into cheaper alternatives to Zipp they aren't a holy grail product like the marketing wants you to believe...

[@rafakwiatkowski7907]

@@TheLoamWolfin Your carbon rim roundup you said they are stiff enough…

[@porroco]

Should be compare with sc reserve

[@youling1997]

I wonder who is recycling these?

[@TheLoamWolf]

It’ll be interesting to see how many go back to them for the full circle treatment.

[@LaurentiusTriarius]

Who knows your destroyed wheel might end up in a Lamborghini dash one day...

[@juanvicke6873]

In your opinion guys, which would be the strongest most durable rim you've tried for DH? I just destroyed a raceface ARC30 and shopping around.

[@Orphansmash]

Santa Cruz reserve their warranty is so good it doesn’t even matter if you break it. They’ll send you one quick and actually free of charge. I ride wao but while they replaced my wheel no questions asked it took almost a month to get a replacement and still had to pay $180. My friend with reserves got a new wheel in hand 4 days later and completely free.

[@LiamOBrien-m2q]

Do they make Revel's rims (are they sa

[@brianhenneuse6975]

That is my understanding

[@MacRogersrealestatebroker]

1912??? Geez that’s heavy.

[@Alex_Abdullayev]

why the F would I buy these over the WAO convergence!?! these are heavier, more expensive and a version 1 product thats untested long term in the field by a large group of riders. Shut up and take my money 🤣😂

[@markfranckowiakPNW]

Been loving my Chris King MTN 30 wheels (fusion fiber rims branded to CK).

[@TheLoamWolf]

Right on good to hear. We had a set of those and liked them as well.