Is Carbon Marketing Hype?

[@VanCan]

You can check out Nobl Wheels here! bit.ly/NOBLwheels

[@xfitgirl77]

Do you run Cush Core?

[@woody2505]

I'm slow, light, chicken and cheap, so I'm glad to see I made the right choice going aluminium :D

[@darryljam1son]

lol

[@hobmarg]

You touched on the biggest benefit to an amateur riding for fun: lack of maintenance and generally higher reliability. I will say you can tune aluminum rim feel via different spoke gauges and tension, but that's more of a racer thing. Re: speed/performance, most World Cup DH racers run aluminum, I believe only Commencal Muc-off (ENVE) and Santa Cruz (Reserve) are on carbon off the top of my head. EWS is pretty much all aluminum but that is because you can smash a bent aluminum rim back into shape whereas carbon failure = race over since they can't swap wheels (or maybe they can with a huge time penalty). Jack Moir smashed his rim back into place with a rock and won this past weekend in Finale.

[@orcellod1592]

I’ve been riding my Nobl TR33’s for 4 years. Everything from downhill to all day epic Enduro rides and have never had to maintenance them. Still running true. I’m also a 200 lbs plus rider and have a set of Enve’s M50 and M60. TR33’s are definitely stiffer then M60 so made the decision to get TR37’s mullet set up. Both 33 and 37 are awesome rims.

[@letsgoridebikes]

I've ridden alloy rims until recently, and had no major issues with the rims themselves, but tons of issues with spoke tension and keeping them true. Just got a new bike with carbon rims and already broke a rim, even with Cush Core. It's likely down to a bad line choice, but what would have likely just bent an alloy wheel and maybe could have bent it back, cracked and broke the carbon wheel. And that leads to a great point about carbon rims, the warranty! Some carbon rim manufacturers have amazing, no questions asked warranty.

[@lukeneill1568]

Given multiple riders used the same carbon wheel set at every world downhill event and multiple did the same at every round of the ews and never had an issue who knows what the issue you had is 😂 never had any issue with carbon rims

[@letsgoridebikes]

@@lukeneill1568 I live and ride in an area with an abundance of savagely sharp rocks that result in catastrophe, not inconvenience lol

[@alyx680]

I can echo the part about stiffness in the corners and dampening over the chatter. I bought a pair of NOBL TR37's in Jan 2020 and got then in about April 2020. on my home trails initially i didn't notice much other then my hand fatigue was significantly less but I didn't attribute this to the wheel change. After park season it totally dawned on me, the carbon was helping absorb the small chattery bumps that used to translate through the aluminum rims, my lack of hand fatigue was directly related. So as a 6'3" 220lb rider on a big enduro bike, I can say the carbon rims helped so much with confidence to rip in the corners and I got the unexpected benefit of less hand fatigue.

[@B1KER]

You nailed it on the "as a heavier rider". It's a HUGE game changer for guys that aren't 170. I feel very similar on Cushcore too.

[@VanCan]

Totally and I’m also a cushcore fanboy ha

[@glowerpower]

I’m 200 lbs, but I’ve rarely had issues with alu wheels. Having said that, I’ve always upgraded my stock wheels on every real bike I’ve owned. I’m on carbon wheels now, and I would not like to go back to alu, however. They’re always true and they take a beating and ask for more. I snapped a spoke at Silver Star 2 weeks ago. Got it replaced. As soon as the tension was back on the replacement spoke, the hoop trued up like magic and it was good to go again.

[@ashevillescarborough]

Nobl seems great, totally stoked about my WeareOne union set .. stiff and damp at the same time, never, ever flinch.

[@davehodson8688]

Great info , as you say are heavier like how heavy?? I'm 240 ride rough conditions on van island was thinking of getting the tr41 wheels but been getting so much mixed reviews on carbon wheels

[@VanCan]

About 230 right now. As I mentioned, the main reason I enjoy carbon wheels is the lack of maintenance and strength.

[@davehodson8688]

@@VanCan right on thanks

[@tylerrusty1122]

I personally like Aluminum wheels, but respect for choosing carbon, aluminum is nice, because if they bend, they can be bent back, not as strong, but still bent back. The difference in alu and carbon isn't terribly noticable though, I've ridden both, and still prefer aluminum wheels.

[@orcellod1592]

I’ve been riding Carbon mtb wheels and frames for 10 years. Lots of rugged downhill terrain and never have I had any issues to date. I’ve even purchase a used pair of Carbon wheels and they are still holding up straight and true. Over 200lbs rider as well.

[@Brett0206]

I’m a bit bigger than you are (was 240 when top fitness and playing rugby in my twenty’s, now closer to 250…260 with all my gear, I guess). I just got a pair of Nobl 41s about two months ago. I love them, and really notice how much better the bike tracks. Flex in alloy wheels = uncertain line direction…never realized how much the alloy wheels were affecting my ability to choose a line at high speeds and in corners. They are definitely stiffer, and I was getting bounced around a bit more on technical climbs, but one click more rebound damping sorted it out. The slightly wider rim also allows the tires to set up with a flatter profile, which I find improves my slow speed / track stand balance. Riding North Shore and Squamish, and they are definitely up to what I can throw at them. Especially with the Chris King hub option (the DT Swiss 350 hubs will probably also work well for riders like us, but have not tried them).

[@allaneddlemon7557]

What i’ve noticed is that it feels like there’s more compliance unless i want to kick out the back end where I put my foot out and want to slide

[@elyhim]

I agree, I have had my TR37's for just over a year and are fantastic. Heavier rider who has several wheelsets because, I break spokes and need spares. No problems with my Nobl wheels and with the cxray spokes they are incredible.

[@mitchelljarvis2944]

Recently made the switch (half way there) and got carbon rear weare1 strife wheel, and noticed a huge difference, the stiffness and responsiveness was immense for a bigger rider like myself, also I am done bending aluminum rims.

[@ethannewell5298]

Lol I saw the iron ring in your other video but listening to you talk I can really tell ur an engineer

[@EthanAdey]

Because the rotational mass of the wheels makes it easier to turn if it’s lighter?

[@djjmann]

Ive ridden NOBL wheels for the better part of 5 years, with some alloy wheel builds here and there. There is no way to properly describe the difference, but it is palpable. What I noticed the most was how much more direct and responsive carbon rims are, little to no flex equates to a more "point and shoot" feeling at speed. I'm 73" tall and 220 lbs kitted up, never broke a carbon rim.

[@camerontravis515]

Got the coil on there now, she's looking sweet!

[@ctsingletrack]

Coming from an automotive performance background, I opted for the carbon wheels on my Ripmo AF even though the bike's frame is aluminum. I felt that it was more important to save weight on the bike's unsprung rotating mass, because it will affect the suspension's performance and efficiency of the bike more than shaving weight anywhere else in the bike. When those 29" inch wheels are spinning, there are gyroscopic forces at play, and that is all weight that is bouncing off the trail unsuspended. Also a lot more energy is expended to get your wheels rotating, and accelerating forward than accelerating weight on the frame, that is not rotating. Carbon Wheels also tend to have very good replacement warranties, so your investment is protected.

[@YTZack408]

What wheels did you get? Still happy with them?

[@ctsingletrack]

@@YTZack408 I ordered the bike with the Ibis S35 carbon wheels. I love the Ibis asymmetrical carbon hoops because like the idea of having equal tension on all the spokes. I also like the warranty. I damaged my rear wheel, and Ibis sent a replacement carbon hoop, even though it was basically my fault. The only thing I didn't love was the engagement on the Ibis logo rear hub. I ended up replacing that with an Onyx Vesper. If you're looking for a really light wheel, you might also look at Berd wheels. They use ultra lightweight high molecular weight polyethylene spokes. I have them on my hardtail, and they have made the bike ride so much nicer just from the way they damp vibration. I actually ended up combining their spokes with the Ibis hoops on my Ripmo too.

[@jack91522]

Probably can fill a whole video on the most important specs of a carbon hoop. Many pros are specific about tension for each wheel, rim depth, asymmetric, numver of spokes, lacing, rim ID, etc..

[@akammer1000]

I've ran different wheel sizes, have you ever thought or considered running one carbon rim, one aluminum? Would there be a benefit possibly of having just one carbon rim up front? Or maybe just in the back? Thoughts?

[@CaliradoKid]

How many G Forces does one generate when walking some of the features you showed off in this video? Asking for a friend. 😂

[@GhettoSuguru]

What jacket are you using ? Is it Waterproof?? How much does it cost

[@eric9432]

Thanks for the insight. I am a bigger rider as well and trying to decide if I want to throw some carbon rims on my Wreckoning now. Looks like you may have cemented the deal with this video. But now to pick which rim and dish out all this $$$

[@Brett0206]

I am riding the 41s with Chris King hubs. Weighted 240 back when I was in top shape and played rugby in my 20s, and in heavier now. The 41s have made a world of difference for me, and the feeling is beyond what I expected. The bike is so much more precise and stable at high speed. And they have held up well on the north shore for far.

[@eric9432]

@@Brett0206 thanks, I range from 230-260ish from picking up heavy things and putting them down so I am pretty damn hard on rims. I just ordered a set of 41's. Thanks for the info.

[@dscoduc]

Sadly my initial reaction to the title of this video was... uh, because you have a wheel sponsor and don't have to sling the $$$$

[@VanCan]

But why do so many people, including many of my friends, have carbon wheels? I stand by the points I made in the video.

[@dscoduc]

@@VanCan Sorry, I didn't mean to imply you weren't speaking the truth. I appreciate the video. I would love to have carbon wheels for all the points you made, but at a starting price of $1200 it's a big spend. The Nobl wheels look great and would certainly be a strong contender for me thanks to your endorsement.

[@RLSteffler]

@@VanCan he's not calling you a liar buddy he's saying it's easy to call it a no brainer when you get them for free.

[@olivert.7192]

2:37 bro how do i do this without crashing lmao, i always fly off the other side

[@mtbville]

Thank you for this information pack 🙏 Now it feels like I didn’t know anything about it before 🙈 😂

[@th_js]

Suomi

[@matthew_dag6201]

Should have sent some over to Thibault 😂

[@eric9432]

Well you talked me into it. Now just to wait for my rims to come in. Picked up a Wreckoning LB and it has a set of DT's aluminum wheelset and I am not impressed for a rider my weight. Too much maintenance keeping them true.

[@radthaaad]

Nic's next bike, Norco Revolver? The only purple links in the search history? Hmmm....

[@superawesomefuntimego]

I am weighing in at 205lbs and have a Wreckoning on order. I was actually thinking of picking up a set of the Nobl TR37 wheels. Historically I am not all that hard on wheels and the i9's that come with it are very solid alloy wheels with excellent Hydra hubs, but I am already adding a PUSH shock and AXS, might as well break the bank and get some carbon hoops as well right? = )

[@VanCan]

Going full baller build! Haha

[@superawesomefuntimego]

@@VanCan You know it! Broke down and ordered some NOBL wheels! Do I need them, no, not likely. Do I want them...yes, yes I do. Went with the lesser 1/1 hubs to save a little $$ and the noise from them can still scare the critters away and let the other bikers know I am about to come barreling through. I have run them on two other wheels and have been rock solid and the 4 degree engagement is plenty fast for me.

[@JaggedTusk]

Why Rockshox suspension now?

[@quinlanprice]

Hucked a 25 ft rock garden to flat with carbon rims and didn’t break things r so strong!!

[@koho]

Nic - something else - carbon rims = lower rolling mass and lower moment of inertia. So, easier to accelerate, noticeable when pedaling, especially up bumpy/techy stuff. (And that applies to everyone, not just heavy/fast people.). Tires also matter here, of course.

[@VanCan]

That’s true!

[@lovebrosracing2559]

I think carbon wheels are completely worth it! Last year I ran aluminum wheels and bent two of them within three months of each other. I wasn't able to bend them back as there were multiple flat spots. The great things about carbon is that it is in fact, stronger. Even if you manage to break a carbon wheel, many companies have warranties. I've never cracked a carbon wheel, but I couldn't imagine what would happen to an aluminum wheel with the same force it took to break a carbon one.

[@LifeFromtheLoam]

I'm also a heavier rider (we look like we're around the same) and have been afraid that that might cause issues with carbon bikes/rims. Watching this sort of boosted my confidence that if I choose carbon in the future I won't have issues.

[@caderidenour642]

When I switched to carbon i was landing flat on all my jumps. So much less energy absorbed by them on the lip of a jump

[@whistlerbikeparkpov4830]

As a lighter guy, I don’t fell like I belong in this comment section

[@meganNefarious]

Us lighter folks can still enjoy the benefits of carbon wheels : )

[@lite31]

thanks for the review on carbon rims, may I ask do you run insert with your tr38?

[@VanCan]

I run cushcore on all my bikes so I can really low pressures

[@lite31]

@@VanCan cool thanks.

[@Super_Naught]

Those versus tires though!!

[@blameitonben]

So would it make any sense to have carbon wheels when my bike is aluminum?

[@bigslacker666]

I'm a medium sized guy, reasonably fast on a good day. I've had 2 Carbon wheelsets and 2 AL on my last 4 bikes. I don't really noticed a diff and I'd like to since one of those wheelsets was a $2k custom hydra/s35 carbon one, haha! I ride more park and shuttle than trail, I will say the carbon seemed to stay true even with some gnarly drops to flat. But in terms of performance I can't really tell. My current enduro/park bike (Evil Insurgent) came with AL and if they taco I'll go carbon. :D

[@lifeafter4092]

Hey Steve, stupid question. I’m considering an Insurgent MX for my one and only bike instead of a trail and dh bike that I currently have. Do they climb ‘OK’? I’m not looking for a rocket, but wondering how they are for average climbing on average trails.

[@bigslacker666]

@@lifeafter4092 I originally intended to keep my Offering v1 as a trail bike and leave the Insurgent for Park/Shuttle. But I ended up selling the Offering since the Insurgent climbs well. I've done some 1500-2500 foot climbs on it. As you say it's not an XC rocket but you just set it to a low gear and it climbs comfortably up to the top.

[@kgennings69]

@@bigslacker666 Sweet, thanks for taking the time to reply. Really appreciate the insight.

[@SemiSendy]

I've held out on carbon hoops for ages, holding onto the idea that my aluminum hoops were more likely to not fail entirely and would stand a better chance of getting me home. Last year proved miserable for my history with alloy, with many days ended with long walks out of the woods. I broke down and bought a set of We Are One Strife's for the DH bike, and they have been a real eye opener. I'd agree with everything you've said here. I'll be swapping all of my wheels over as time goes by.

[@XCBen]

I just bought my first pair of Nobl carbon wheels with DT Swiss 240 and Berd spokes tonight. I am stoked to see what it will feel like.

[@jawzzy3]

Slightly heavier rider here - Couldn’t agree more. Never considered carbon wheels until I realized I was spending quite a bit on new rims, trues, etc. Got a set of tr37s and haven’t thought about them since I bought them- they just work. Lifetime warranty makes it a no brainer and potentially a cost saver in the long run. One of the best upgrades imo

[@hannesnohl8627]

Are you riding the Zeb now?

[@VanCan]

Yup, I accidentally smashed my 38 😢

[@hannesnohl8627]

@@VanCan oh sh**, are you gonna make a video about it?

[@VanCan]

I should!

[@hannesnohl8627]

@@VanCan I run the Zeb Ultimate on my Bike and I absoloutely love it, I cant imagine the 38 being even better.

[@januhelj3796]

me, a 135lbs guy... I don't think I'll feel the difference that much

[@MloVisual]

Can you buy some noble wheels and confirm as I’m also 135. Thanks man

[@januhelj3796]

@@MloVisual as someone who is broke and first needs a new bike I will do it one day and I promise I will tell you but for now I only tried it once on my friends bike (ethirteen carbon enduro wheels) and I felt barely any difference but keep in mind I was not as fast as I am rn back then

[@sjaan7370]

Zeb v 38 next? 🙂

[@GoodTrails]

sick b-roll bruh. this guy shreds!

[@middleagedmediocremountain4767]

Excellent video…I just got smarter. Also you have a knot in your mic cord. 😉

[@jeromewestwood5453]

Hey good video I might need to try carbon. I can definitely feel wheel flex I have had 3 different alley rear wheels and the spokes only stay tight for a week before a reture

[@thatfnbastrd]

Looks like Kinetik Cycles…. Great video as always👍

[@VanCan]

it is!

[@jk2302]

I ride carbon on the road, it's a no brainer for me but I've cracked carbon wheels on the mtn and it's a pain in the ass. I have switched to Alu, the downside is denting rims but at least they don't render themselves useless after one bad hit. Maybe it was the brand but I'm hesitant to go back to carbon.

[@VanCan]

Sounds like you just need a good carbon wheel

[@synndakitt]

I assume 300 lbs riders aren't ideal for carbon rims?

[@skyerains2754]

Love mine👌

[@flyindutchman2022]

I thought your b-roll shots were awesome.

[@Heath3250]

Great video. But I think feel is mostly Placebo. I’d like to see a blind test between a few riders and see who can guess Aluminum or Carbon.

[@VanCan]

I have tested wheels back to back on the same bike with the same tires and we could very easily feel the difference.

[@Heath3250]

@@VanCan I understand. I have seen comparisons of refresh rates on monitors with pros gaming and under a blind test, most were incorrect about the refresh rate. Plenty of other products blind tested with similar results. Just curious to see a blind test. No hatred brethren. :)

[@LawrenceMacMacster]

I tried some ibis carbon wheels this summer since they were cheap (takeoffs) but I really didn't love them and they weren't lighter than my set of dt aluminium so I ordered a set or 35mm unbranded from ali, with dt 240 clones. They are kinda good. Like real good surprisingly I'm just waiting for that failure 😂

[@cls9474]

just for correctness: v² is not exponentially. It's square. :)

[@alexmason7103]

It is actually, if you plot a graph with increasing velocities it creates an exponential curve.

[@emilefleury667]

The ''2'' on the expression v² is called ''exponent''. That makes it an exponential function.

[@cls9474]

Nope. Exponential is when the variable is in the exponent (e.g. a^v whereas "a" constant). If the variable is in the base and the exponent is a constant it's not exponential. It's quadratic, cubic, ... or whatever.

[@cls9474]

And btw: if you compare them you will notice the difference in growth which is massive. Every exponential function will surpass any quadratic, cubic or other monomial function.

[@gmatting]

Imagine trying to correct an engineering grad student in a comments section about bike parts 🤣

[@hannes6114]

Yoooo, we got the same jacket

[@andersun16]

Thanks. Good analogies for us knuckle drag gets who don’t ride every new thing to come down the puke.

[@Steezysteeps]

If only I had enough subscribers/viewers to get carbon wheels

[@bencadec9497]

Jack Moir disagrees

[@thomasdubouchet]

Short answer: Because he's sponsored :p

[@VanCan]

Yes, Nobl does sponsor the channel, but i initiated the partnership because I really enjoy carbon rims. I only recommend products I would actually use.

[@thomasdubouchet]

@@VanCan yes I understand, that makes sense Biggest turndown for me for carbon wheels is $$$ I would rather get a nice bike with good components and it probably wouldn't be on the top for upgrade list

[@lokmtb8503]

TLDR because he's sponsored by nobl and gets them for free.

[@VanCan]

I initiated the partnership Because I like carbon wheels. I only recommend products I would actually buy myself.

[@AlexthomasGamingAndTrampoline]

ITS ALUMINIUM

[@armandojuan64]

Wood , I only ride wood .

[@tiagopinilla]

Let's ask Daprela! ;)

[@th_js]

tHirD

[@innisnettle]

Early

[@ivansimovic2271]

no one cares... second!

[@chocoloco911]

First !

[@ivansimovic2271]

lol im joking

[@stevehunter7402]

Have these rims taken any side hits from good sized rocks 🪨? I dented an aluminum rim like this and it held up for a while but no longer holds air. Time to go shopping.

[@VanCan]

I rode the park with them a ton! No issue. If you want some Nobls there’s a discount code in the descriptions of my new videos 👀

[@stevehunter7402]

Thanks from Ottawa. I ride in Quebec and it's loose and smashy at the best of times. I rode your area last summer. You guys are living the dream out there. Stay healthy.