New ‘Trail’ Model added to Sixth Element wheel range

Manchester based Sixth Element introduces a wheel to offer a balance of grip and speed: the new ‘Trail’ model.

Sixth Element established itself in 2015 looking to bring well built carbon wheels to the market at a more affordable price. Since then, they’ve expanded their line up and even supplied wheels to Olympic hopefuls. Today they’re announcing a new addition to the range: the ‘Trail’ wheel.

The marketing blurb says:

‘The constant balancing act for the trail rider is the question of speed versus grip: a wider rim gives more grip, a rim with less width gives more speed. Our best selling Classic wheel has the rim for grip: an internal of 32mm (27.5) / 33mm (29er). Our podium grabbing Race wheel has the rim for speed: an internal of 28mm (27.5 and 29er). What if the rider wants both grip and speed?’

The Trail seeks to answer this with an internal width of 30mm which Sixth Element says is perfect for today’s 2.35, 2.4, 2.5 and 2.6in tyres. The rim is made with 100% T700 Uni-Directional carbon and has extra reinforcement around the spoke bead for additional strength. This 30mm internal rim is hookless, giving an external width of 36.5mm.

The rim is designed for the regular trail and singletrack rider, although it is apparently also suitable for Enduro racing. Though of course there are other wheels in the range that have such things specifically in mind. The Trail wheels are, like all the range, eligible for Sixth Element’s Lifetime Crash Replacement warranty cover.

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Check out your options

Sixth Element Trail Wheel Weight Options

Since Sixth Element build your wheels to order, you can pick and choose hubs and spokes to suit your needs and colour coordination whims:

• Rim weights: 430g (27’5) and 440g (29er).
• Wheel weights are from 1566g/pair (27.5) 1586g (29er) – Trail rims built onto DT240 hubs with 32 bladed Sapim CX Ray spokes
• DT 350 hubs add 78g to the DT240 weight
• Industry Nine Hydra hubs add 79g to the DT240 weight
• Chris King hubs add 97g to the DT240 weight
• Hope Pro4 hubs add 117g to the DT240 weight
• (all are Boost hub weights)
• Round double butted Sapim Race spokes instead of CX Ray bladed spokes add 90g to the pair of wheels, brass Secure Lock nipples add 30g/pair of wheels.

Sixth Element Trail Wheel Prices

• Pair of wheels built on Hope Pro4s: £1,069.00
• Hub upgrades (pair):
  • DT 350 + £39
  • DT 240 + £259
  • Ind Nine Hydra +£399
  • Chris King +£649

Available with stealth (black), white or Sixth Element green decals from stock (7-10 days delivery), or with literally any other colour decal by Special Order (4-5 weeks delivery). Decals are part of the rim layup. Wheels come ready taped, tubeless ready, with choice of colours for the tubeless valves (black, red, blue, purple, orange or green).

Hannah Dobson

Managing Editor

I came to Singletrack having decided there must be more to life than meetings. I like all bikes, but especially unusual ones. More than bikes, I like what bikes do. I think that they link people and places; that cycling creates a connection between us and our environment; bikes create communities; deliver freedom; bring joy; and improve fitness. They're environmentally friendly and create friendly environments. I try to write about all these things in the hope that others might discover the joy of bikes too.

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