RIMS: the story of why I still ride both aluminum and carbon

#JeffKendallWeed #carbonvsaluminum #mtbwheels
Many of ya’ll have noticed that I’m riding a mix of BOTH carbon and aluminum wheels among my various mountain bikes, so this video goes over why I use both. Yes, I do have a favorite, and it’s carbon, but the modern aluminum wheels have gotten so good that the difference is more subtle than ever.
Check out the full selection of both carbon and aluminum wheels here at Jenson USA, and anything at all that you purchase from Jenson will help support my channel- thanks!!! bit.ly/JensonU...
Do you like the story format? If so, please lemme know!
Big shout to my sponsors! Thanks to Jenson USA, PNW Components, Industry Nine, and Shimano- and any purchases from the below links to Jenson USA will help support my channel:
Jenson USA: bit.ly/JensonU...
PNW Components: bit.ly/PNW_JKW
Industry Nine: bit.ly/Industr...
Shimano: bit.ly/Shimano...
Did you know I post a new riding tutorial every month? These are ONLY posted to my Patreon page, so join now to see these rad videos! Here’s the full list of my riding tutorials posted through February 2020:
How to get up ledges WITHOUT bunnyhopping: / 49476021
Which brake to use when: / which-brake-to-48108425
Different bikes, different riding techniques: / 46925782
How to ride FLAT PEDALS through the ROCKS: / how-to-ride-flat-45662347
How to ride wet roots and steep chutes: / 44507851
How to ride with style: / how-to-ride-with-43349450
How to jump for height vs distance: / 42202183
Common manual questions answered: / 41006264
How to land jumps: / 39928153
My 3 favorite skills drills: / if-i-could-only-38809964
How to manual: / how-to-manual-37684861
Cutty: / 36579859
Manual a berm: / 35496772
How to ride in Sedona: / 34436065
Switchbacks: / 3-ways-to-33345804
Nosewheelie: / 32742504
Bump jump: / 31881231
Trials basics for trail riders: / 31145344
Tight berms: / 30389457
Aggressive braking: / 29579507
Confidence for mountain biking: / 28817411
Cornering: / 27981205
Flowing/pumping down the trail: / 27288868
Stoppie through turns: / 26296762
Technical climbing: / 25234847
Boost jumps: / 24161821
Bunnyhop: / 23396959
Utilizing the wheelie on the trail: / 23017910
How to wheelie: / 21879606
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Big thanks to these guys for making this all possible! Any purchases from these links will directly help support my channel as well:
Jenson USA: bit.ly/JensonJKW
PNW Components: bit.ly/PNWcomp...
Industry Nine: bit.ly/Industry...
~~~~~~~~~~~~
Check out my riding tutorials: / jeffkendallweed
www.jeffkendallweed.com
/ jeffkendallweed
/ jeffkendallweedmtb
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[@stevengien5409]

This format is a great addition to your usual videos

[@ethanbenton6676]

Agreed

[@JeffKendallWeed]

Thanks Steven!!!

[@sepg5084]

@@JeffKendallWeed Carbon fiber is not inherently aerodynamic over aluminium. It's just lighter. A deep aero wheel made of carbon fiber is lighter than an aluminium counterpart. So at the end of the day, it is the weight. If carbon fiber was heavier than an equivalent aluminium part, no one will use it.

[@nomadtrails]

Dude. Is this the format of all your videos? Sick riding, informative and entertaining gear chat. Zero fronting. No trickery with sponsors, and no clickbait on the title? Subbed!

[@ellywest1216]

Good format and pacing. Looking forward to more of these!

[@JeffKendallWeed]

Thanks elly!

[@MrCayer12]

Great timing! Just ordered a set of We are one carbon wheels with hydra hubs for my 2021 Altitude an hour ago. Love the format, keep up the good work 👌🏼

[@michaeltheodorakis9473]

Got a set on my 2021 Altitude. You’ll love them👍

[@smeegain3657]

Very insightful, thank you Jeff! I was doubtful about carbon rims on mountain bikes for quite a while, but now that I have been running them on my Hardtail and my Fullsusser for some time I really appreciate them!

[@sktfourlif]

Liking the story telling format Jeff!

[@ShidanTowfiq]

Oh man, I'm history! That's me on the bike mag cover from February 1988. Great video format and I agree that the equipment has come a long way in 25 years!

[@colequigley9859]

I properly enjoyed this video. Thanks Jeff!

[@mattspen]

Jeff I loved all the throw back elements of this video! Great format

[@rahcarter1659]

Your Mojo HD3 videos influenced my purchase of a neon green HD3 in 2015! That bike got be excited about MTB again. Thank you.

[@szed3]

Same. Couldn't afford an Ibis at the time but I find myself looking for a neon green frame from time to time.

[@jorgenhamann3479]

This was great! Nice pros/cons list with a little history. I didn't know the bit about carbon being able to have tighter mfg tolerances which eliminates the need for the bead, so that was neat to learn too.

[@tysonrogers8898]

Totally support your story telling. Love the journey and how you learned things along the way!

[@JeffKendallWeed]

Thank you Tyson!!!

[@ignacioaraujo2]

As a 39 year old who had mountain biking on and off since I was 15, I loved the description of the evolution of wheels

[@channingvenegas9984]

Dude... you're so good at rambling on!!!!! Like seriously could tell stories for days!!! Lol

[@joshmarks3954]

Just got back from my first ride on my Ripmo af. Fox factory build, felt amazing very happy dude right here👍

[@paulhusby8344]

Practicing Acceptance. "Bike handling skills envy". :) Thanks for all the great content, ongoing.

[@dannytaylor6861]

cheers for the intel as i'm still learning whats best for my bike

[@SMD28101]

Great format and delivery. A lot of great information, given clearly and straight to the point. Keep this style and I will always watch. Btw....I love Jenson!!!!

[@rctayas]

Great story telling...love the way u ride...I’m only riding for 3 years now and just hit 57 so I’m not going to even try 10%of what u do on a bike,but,love to watch u ride.

[@Davis2you]

I do like this format, the information and backstory is fun to hear. Also it’s different than what other you tubers have been doing

[@ericrice9807]

This was great! Loved the format!

[@helldogmtb5930]

Awesome story. As someone who only got into MTB 5 years ago (and hadn't been on a bike for probably 13 years before that) it's interesting hearing about the development of components from someone who lived it. I've recently been collecting videos/pictures/articles about the history of the sport. It seems like they'll be indispensable in the future.

[@JeffKendallWeed]

Thanks man!

[@petercroce]

Digging the story telling style! Cheers Jeff.

[@JeffKendallWeed]

Thanks Pete!

[@liwx]

i wonder whats your honest opinion in stem length and whats your fav stem length. cheers

[@JeffKendallWeed]

Hey man thanks for the note! I use whatever length I need to in order to get a bike to feel right. Example, my Yeti SB130LR has a 50mm. My Evil Offering has a 40mm.

[@kentlevan5623]

This format is awesome! I’m actually learning

[@MellowYellowCJ7]

I really liked this video and the format. One more advantage of Carbon....No more spoke holes. It makes the build a little slower for me, but I love the clean, no tape tubeless setup. Funny, the only aluminum wheel I keep is the front on my road bike for the mountain ROAD group rides. I kept a 35mm aluminum front for smoother better braking in a group on the loooong descents.

[@mann_idonotreadreplies]

cool story bro

[@ChristianJohnsons]

Great format! Thanks for sharing!

[@thomasgamboa6780]

Muy tuanis! Keep it going, love the story telling format! 🇨🇷

[@larsmartinlvdal6119]

Very good video! Informative and interesting. Well told. Perfect pace. Doing great JKW!

[@elidenning6276]

This video style is amazing.

[@scottaw]

Love the perspective on how MTB technology has evolved. I also ride both aluminum and carbon rims, DT Swiss and Rovals respectively. As a heavier rider, I find the carbon rims are definitely stiffer as you pointed out, and the stiffness projects/rebounds off the rocks better and subsequently can feel faster. Most notable though is they remain true all season long.

[@JeffKendallWeed]

Thanks Scott!

[@JJMilk]

Like the new format, and specially like the way you choose your equipment based on intended use and requirements instead of hype and latest greatness have to have factor. Ps: loved your “burly” build of the Ripley AF a few videos ago - totally made me rethink what is possible on a shorter travel bike! 🤩😎

[@JeffKendallWeed]

Thanks Joao! I prefer the Ripmo over the Ripley, but the burly build helps the Ripley be better for my riding style.

[@JJMilk]

@@JeffKendallWeed For you, totally, but for my trails in and around Pretoria - South Africa, the Ripley is the more suited / realistic option.

[@andrewjackson4016]

Love your insights and vids, especially the how to's. Keep it up and thanks.

[@hardmtnbiker]

Great historical to current opinion review on carbon. While I agree with most I have found my 27.5 x 2.8 to 3” tires profile really nicely with i40 to i50mm rims. As for 29er. I like the i30 for the 2.25 to 2.5” tires and i35 to i40mm rims really make a great profile with the popular 2.6” tire and up. I have a couple 2.8” and 3” tires for my rigid SS bike. I run Rimpact or CushCore to prevent damage to my alloy rims and the whole pinch flat protection and compression dampen thing. My friend have various carbon rims either hookless design or that non bead hook design. I definitely see your point on the flat protection but I know that they burp air out of their tires at lower pressures. I also know they don’t have the supple feel of an allow rim wheel set that’s planned ,customized and laced and built for a riders weight and style. Just my thoughts.

[@nickzarnetske9994]

Good video, great format, awesome information!

[@tejas.darwin]

Great content as usual. Safe riding, Jeff.

[@rustymac83]

Liked this video format, it would be interesting to hear your take on the two differing design thoughts for carbon wheels and how they perform. Those being traditional construction rims with a deeper 2 sectioned rim (spoke eyelets separate from bead seat) like Enve, Santa Cruz, Industry 9, Light Bicycle etc etc etc and those that have gone the more Moto route like Crank Brothers Synthesis & Zip Moto.

[@wesleywermuth9545]

Sweet video!

[@LuisGonzalez-nx2pn]

Just exactly what I needed to hear since I'm about to buy a set of carbon wheels for my bike; if the government send you money, what's better than to upgrade your bike, isn't? 🤘😎

[@JeffKendallWeed]

Hahaha good call Luis!

[@LuisGonzalez-nx2pn]

@@JeffKendallWeed Hey, could you make a video explaining the reason/science behind the front specific/rear specific tire-wheel combination, why is better to ride a wider tires/lighter wheel in the front and better rolling resistant skinnier tires/heavier wheel in the back? I know Crank Brother Synthesis uses a 28 spoke front / 32 spoke wheels, NOBL uses a wider internal width in the front and narrow in the rear, just to mention a few... Don't know, maybe you already did the video, just a thought. 🤘😎

[@bananasstuff3344]

@@LuisGonzalez-nx2pn different uses. The front needs the grip, and doesnt need to be as strong, the rear needs to follow and be strong for when [the user] inevitably smacks it on something. You don't need the grip from the rear of the bike nearly as much.

[@noonedidthistome]

I still have that Trek Y frame (Y-11, shipped before the coil shock was available, so shipped with the air shock) that I bought in college in the 90's. I'd like to replace it some day, but two kids in private school...

[@thomaskreutzer]

I prefer carbon for strength, whenever I ride aluminum it's constant spokes breaking and truiing after every ride. I end with wheels in the shop all the time. If I did have a set of i9 straight pull aluminum I would likely fair better. I am a heavier rider so my wheels tend to take an extra beating.

[@bigslacker666]

Also grew up riding BMX bikes and MTB since the 90's and seen the evolution. I've got carbon rims on my Offering and AL ibis S35s on my Following currently. With the weight gap closed there really isn't a whole ton of difference for most riders. I think I slightly prefer AL but it's nice to have both.

[@JeffKendallWeed]

totally cool to have good options in both! I don't mind the AL at all, if that's all I had, I'd still be quite content!

[@taffycymroukmtb9073]

Great stuff Jeff 🚴😉👌🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿👌

[@corymcmanues7905]

Love the story type be vid, and I gotta say I haven't heard the carbon to alloy broken down on a level like this, very nice. LoL, can't say I'm gonna try them because carbon hoops are so much more than alloy.

[@gregcavanaugh6259]

Great job analyzing and describing your needs and journey as a rider. I still hate heavy wheels, but that's more a product of over a decade of XC/Marathon racing. If you're just out riding to have fun, and fitness/speed aren't really what "determines that" (ie. KOMs etc) then weight should be a lower priority.

[@deisen123]

Great perspective on this topic. Definitely interesting to listen to.

[@JeffKendallWeed]

Thanks Dan!

[@drewsenthused6079]

Haha love the "GoPoo" sticker!

[@JesusRescuesUs3-16]

Great review! And great video.

[@raganmena2139]

Enjoyed the video, very informative.

[@Getoutside2day]

Awesome facts on carbon wheels. Enjoying your videos bro . Thanks for sharing 🤙🏼

[@rodspov1915]

Great Video! Loved it.

[@junzamo]

Great video information for MTB Jeff I still have aluminum wheels in my bike

[@stevencole7331]

Or those poly made spokes from berd wheels look really interesting . Most of it is out of my desired price range for the benefit I would get .

[@totalchaos80]

Your knowledge is very insightful. I can't tell the difference between much of anything, other than I do feel faster on 29 than 27.5. I ride Carbon frame on carbon wheels, and it doesn't feel different than aluminum on aluminum to me.

[@JeffKendallWeed]

Thanks Chaos!!!

[@jedidiahwest4619]

Running i9 carbon rims on my Ripmo! Truthfully this is my first ever bike so I wouldn’t really know the difference but I have rented the aluminum 27.5 Santa Cruz Bronson and I absolutely loved riding that bike. Wasn’t sure if it was the wheel size or the aluminum but it was very playful. I did notice a slight difference when squashing a turn. It didn’t feel stiff like my Ripmo.

[@JeffKendallWeed]

Right on Jedidiah!

[@dannyrie1]

Which would you pick if you had to pick [alloy frame + carbon rims] or [carbon frame + alloy rims] taking into consideration only: handling ability leaned over, high speed stability, handling in the rough.

[@asaflevkovitz5250]

Great vid, thanks!

[@ansparaco]

Neat, I just had a set of derby carbon rims built for my dj.

[@JeffKendallWeed]

Nicely done!

[@NoBrakes23]

Doesn't Easton still make mtb parts under the RaceFace name? Perhaps I'm misunderstanding the relationship between those companies. Regardless, I appreciated the history and perspective in this video. Have you given any thought to alternate materials for spokes? (I recognize that using i9's aluminum spokes is already a bit outside the traditional stainless steel of DT, Sapim, etc) I'm seriously considering Berd spokes for my next wheelset.

[@pauls3616]

Nice video.

[@jitterspec]

I had no idea that interstate 15 was America's mtb highway!

[@markmoreno7295]

Do you think those aluminum rims would work with Rene Herse tires in the Fleecer Ridge size?

[@Happy_Biker]

Absolutely love this video, thanks for the efforts! Anything more you want to explore or delve into like this would be cool.

[@Intentsrig]

Nice. I just picked up a set of i9 Enduro S 1/1’s! Just couldn’t justify the carbon price for a small weight savings and a perhaps a small stiffness gain I probably wouldn’t feel lol.

[@johnsonjay60]

Bro I don't have to sell us on i9 ;) lol 🤤🤤🤤 Jenson rocks, pnw loam ❤ shimano for brakes or rd bikes ;). Great video! Liked the story to it :)

[@hifiandmtb]

Cool story, eloquently told.

[@JeffKendallWeed]

Thanks Steve!!! I tries something new for this- I wrote an "AV script"! Ya learn something new every day!!!

[@toddtucker4602]

Great one!

[@fastfibres629]

Yup Im totally on board with carbon, you can hit stuff virtually all day long at a lower average pressure and get away dent free. it has the advantage of being repairable (within reason) I'm a composite engineer so I like to buy what I can service and carbon is easy for me - can't say the same for alloy rims

[@sixate]

10 years ago I said I'd never ride carbon components, especially wheels. I'm a big strong guy, 6'8" and weigh 245 lbs. Played a lot of basketball and took up mountain biking 20 years ago. I've always wrecked wheels and was scared of the thought of carbon wheels. But now I think the technoligy has improved and bit the bullet and got cabon wheels for my mtb a couple months ago. It was eye opening for me. The stiffness is something I've never experienced on a high end aluminum rim. The steering is more precise and so far no issues. And I've smashed through a few rock gardens way harder than normal to test them out. Even hit a few jumps I've been avoiding because my old wheels couldn't handle it at my size. Wheels are perfectly true, no issues with spokes and only 28 per wheel. And the zippiness with the lighter weight is a plus too.

[@JeffKendallWeed]

Thanks for the great note! Carbon has sure come a long ways!

[@dereksmith7965]

Great video!!!

[@Aceton_]

I have had lots of troubles with alloy wheels bending etc although I am still on alloy because I don't have the money right now to spend on carbon wheels aswell as my alloy wheels being still straight I am looking forward to get carbon wheels because of their lower maintenance but also the warranty that comes with them.

[@sullivanjdavid]

I agree. Way less maintenance.

[@offroadrepairman]

I’m a large man at 6’3 and 225#. The modern carbon enduro/dh rims have been game changer for me. I rarely have to true a wheel, only check spoke tension when changing worn out tires. The bike feels predictable and accurate compared to alloys rims.

[@JeffKendallWeed]

Right on man!

[@ridedirtymtb9938]

Great video, still prefer aluminum👍

[@Varaxis]

Not all aluminum is the same, nor is all carbon the same. 6069-T6 is almost twice the price of 6061-T6, and a rim made of 6061-T6 feels a lot softer in comparison. Strength generally increases with weight.

[@hldedrick]

Was that the blue ripley theat Elliot rode? Btw... Super cool video

[@invisibleazn9330]

have you ever rode with 1 aluminum wheel and 1 carbon wheel. For example carbon in the rear aluminum in the front or visa versa?

[@johnsonjay60]

I'm sure someone has lol

[@JeffKendallWeed]

Totally!! The ripmo AF in the unboxing first ride vid was set up like that!

[@rrolleman4879]

Is that Ryan Leech at 5:15?

[@brucemilmont6455]

I am a 220 lb rider. Is carbon a reasonable choice for me?

[@troycarpenter3675]

Best aluminum set up for 6'7" 240 +, riding a guerrilla smash all rounder?

[@djsaintb]

do aluminum rims often have better compliance (and maybe nicer for hardtails accordingly)?

[@drifterdogs]

Im still trying to figure out how to but new wheels for my bike. IM SO LOST!

[@darwinlopez7883]

what mud guards do you have on your bike both front and back

[@l2rad]

Hi Jeff, I was wondering if you run wheel inserts (i.e. cushcore) in your current carbon setup??? Thanks.

[@ShidanTowfiq]

I run Cush Core on carbon Crank Brothers DH wheels, and on aluminum wheels too.

[@exothermal.sprocket]

Industry Nine- 270 32H alloy Hydra boost f/r: $1630 280 32H carbon Hydra boost f/r: $2630 Gotta wonder if $1000 for carbon wheels over the equivalent is worth it.

[@mattp5430]

Had nothing but problems with Aluminum Ibis wheels on my HD4. If they bust again this season probably gonna move over to carbon

[@JeffKendallWeed]

Fair enough. Ibis alloy wheels were decent in my experiences, just hard to mount cush core wiht the small center channel.

[@mattp5430]

@@JeffKendallWeed mounting Cush core in the hoops I just got from Ibis. Gonna see how it works out.👉👉

[@ersonvelasco2531]

First of all, i prefer alloy coz its cheaper, weight wise, not far behind from carbon. So for me, economical reason.

[@thomasandreasen79]

Great video as always with you👌 I am looking to buy my first IBIS, and i am finding it diffecult to choose between the Ripley and ripmo. Both af.. i Rode a Santa Cruz Bronson C, v1 before. It was a gun playfull bike, but i found it hard to climb. It was setup with 160 / 150 mm og travel. I fear i would bottom out the Ripley, and that the ripmo would be too heavy a climber. Any advice?

[@JeffKendallWeed]

Hey Thomas, thanks for the note! Between Ripley and Ripmo I definitely prefer Ripmo. My preference is smashing down hill, and climbing on the Ripmo is great- totally comparable to all the other bikes in the 145-160 class. Ripley will climb easier because it builds up lighter. It's your decision where you want the most emphasis on performance- weight, small wheelbase, steep angles vs. long, slack, and stout!

[@bananasstuff3344]

Just remember that you could always add lots of volume spacers, but you cant make a bike climb better without making it worse in other areas.

[@thomasandreasen79]

@@JeffKendallWeed thanks - that os also what i gathered from your videos.. ripmo it is🤘

[@endurogod5230]

I feel like what makes sense is carbon in the front and alloy in the back, you never going to damage your front rim

[@why3011]

Unless you land heinously

[@endurogod5230]

@@why3011 this is assuming that your atleast good at biking

[@why3011]

@@endurogod5230 everyone makes mistakes don't they? Except me of course.

[@zap...]

Carbon up front, aluminum in the rear.

[@scrutch666]

365 27.5 life yoooooolooo

[@Mr.P.Griffith]

I ride that 19 or 20mm inner width with a qr that came stock with my 2019 trek marlin 5. Everything but the brakes and front rim have been upgraded. Qr's and straight steerer tube limit what I can change and since my skill has increased, I'm finding those limitations of the bike unsafe in some scenarios. High speed berms? No. Slow twisty technical bits? No. I also think my 29's are not best suited to my riding style. My budget doesn't help either.

[@JeffKendallWeed]

Thanks for the note P! Enjoy what you've got! The cheapest thing to improve, and that will amke the biggest difference, is indeed the rider!

[@sepg5084]

Carbon fiber is not inherently aerodynamic over aluminium. It's the weight. A deep aero wheel made of carbon fiber is lighter than an aluminium counterpart. So at the end of the day, it is the weight. If carbon fiber was heavier than an equivalent aluminium part, no one will use it.

[@docmccoy9813]

I was going to say the same. There's such an amount of bullshit in YT...

[@MaxMustermannnnnn]

On mtb I prefer alloy rims. For my taste carbon is a little bit too stiff.

[@JeffKendallWeed]

Fair enough. I'm about to mount the carbon wheels to my Chromag, we'll see how that goes!

[@charaburda616]

No more Kendall vs Kendall podcast? RIP

[@JeffKendallWeed]

We're just taking a break. I posted a solo podcast the other day, might do more but wanna avoid rambling.

[@steveallen1128]

It not the weight Its my weight

[@jcmymtb1258]

Aluminum I9 need no more

[@j.l.5966]

Dude! Love the format, felt like a video version of an awesome Dirt Rag magazine special edition article 🤙🏽

[@grubbjt]

Love the format. Learning something while watching you effortlessly do what most can't!

[@JeffKendallWeed]

Hahaha effortlessly? I wish lol! Thanks Jason!

[@grubbjt]

@@JeffKendallWeed I'm sure the effort is real even though you make it _look_ easy. I should have said skillfully 🙂

[@ethanbenton6676]

140mm 32 😬