Crankbrothers launches affordable Alloy Synthesis Wheelsets for XCT, Enduro and E-Bikes

Crankbrothers has added an alloy version of the Synthesis wheelset to its range offering tuned wheel action for riders not wanting carbon.

It was around this time last year that I headed to Innerleithen to join the launch and ride on the new carbon Synthesis wheelset from Crankbrothers. Now almost 12 months later, a whole range of alloy Synthesis wheels becomes available.

The original carbon Synthesis wheels are available in XC, Enduro and DH versions. Each set with unique features making them suitable for their intended genre of riding. In addition, front and rear wheels are tuned using differently carbon layups, rim widths and spoke numbers to offer a stiff rear wheel and compliant front.

Now, for the alloy versions, Crankbrothers isn’t able to offer the same level of rim tuning as they can with carbon layups and composites, but they have managed to offer similar tuning to the front and rear wheels for similar benefits at a much lower price.

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The front alloy Synthesis wheel runs 28 spokes for compliance, whereas the rear alloy wheel has 32 spokes for a stiffer wheel. The idea being a front-wheel needs to offer some protection against rock strikes and drops, while the rear needs to be stiff enough to flick into corners on highspeed tracks.

To further turn the Enduro and XCT versions of the alloy Synthesis wheels, Crankbrothers uses a narrower inner rim width on the rear and wider on the front to optimise the benefit of running a wider tyre on the front.

All wheelsets are built with top end Sapim spokes and Crankbrothers is offering builds that use either their own hubs of top of the range i9 hubs. Wheels will come in either 29in or 27.5in and there will be freehub bodies to suit all popular cassette options.

3 versions of wheelset will be available including Enduro, XCT and a specially designed e-MTB option (only available with Crankbrothers hubs)/

Also like the original carbon versions, the alloy Synthesis wheel will be available as a rim only but instead of costing $699 per rim these alloy versions will be priced at only £99.99 per rim.

Crankbrothers Synthesis Alloy Enduro Wheelset

• Freehub options – XD, HG and Microspline
• Wheelsize options – 27.5 boost / 29 boost
• 29.5mm rear / 31.5mm front internal width
• Hub options – crankbrothers synthesis (17 degree engagement) or i9 101 hub (4 degree engagement).
• Price with crankbrothers synthesis hub – £199.99 / $239 / €239 front and £299.99 / $359 / €359 rear (wheels sold separately)
• Price with i9 101 hub – £264.99 / $299 / €299 front and £434.99 / $499 / €499 rear (wheels sold separately)

Crankbrothers Synthesis Alloy E Bike Wheelset

• Freehub options – XD / HG / Microspline
• Wheelsize options – 27.5+ boost / 29 boost
• 31.5mm rear / 35.5mm front internal width
• Hub options – crankbrothers synthesis only
• Price – £214.99 / $259 / €259 front and £324.99 / $389 / €389 rear (wheels sold separately)

Crankbrothers Synthesis Alloy XCT Wheelset

• Freehub options – XD / HG / Microspline
• Wheelsize options – 29 boost only
• 24.5mm rear / 26.5mm front internal width
• Hub options – crankbrothers synthesis (17 degrees of engagement) / i9 101 hub (4 degrees of engagement).
• Price with crankbrothers synthesis hub – £199.99 / $239 / €239 front and £299.99 / $359 / €359 rear (wheels sold separately)
• Price with i9 101 hub – £264.99 / $299 / €299 front and £434.99 / $499 / €499 rear (wheels sold separately)

Enduro Synthesis Alloy Gallery

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We currently have a set of 29in Enduro wheels in the office to test, which we have spent a little time on but not as much as we had hoped as we’re waiting on a Microspline freehub for them.

Once we have put them through their paces we’ll have a full review published soon.

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