Industry9's new wheels offer claimed benefits in aerodynamics and stability, along with a small weight reduction
US-based Industry9 has launched three updated aero wheelsets, which it claims offer benefits including better handling in gusty conditions. There are three wheelsets in the line-up: the SOLiX R65, SOLiX R50 and SOLiX R35 - we'll leave you to guess the rim depths. All are built on its SOLiX road hubs, which include a freehub with 605 points of engagement. Prices start at £2,600, with wheelset weights from 1,310g.
Industry9 is better known for its mountain bike wheels and its ultra-fast engaging Hydra2 hubs, which use an offset pawl engagement system for an engagement angle of just 0.41 degrees.
But the brand also sells a range of road, all-road and gravel wheelsets, including aero options, built on its own fast-engaging SOLiX road hubs.
Industry9 says that its updated road bike wheelset range offers increased stability and better handling in varying and gusty crosswind conditions, improved aerodynamics and durability, claiming that it delivers 'our highest-level road performance products to date'.
The increased stability comes from lower drag at higher wind yaw angles and a design that Industry9 says moves the centre of the force acting on the wheels further rearward than on its previous rims, which it claims creates an effect similar to a ship's rudder.
The updated aero profile includes hooked rim beads and is aero optimised for tubeless 28mm to 30mm tyres, although Industry9 says it's suitable for tyres from 25mm up to 35mm wide. The rim has a 22mm internal width across the rim depth range, with external width between 30mm and 34.25mm, dependent on rim depth.
The R35 is the lightest option, at a claimed 1,310g, which is 3% less than Industry9's previous generation climbers' wheels and offers a claimed 7% reduction in aero drag.
The R50 has a claimed 1,410g wheelset weight, again offering a 3% weight reduction, although the average drag is reduced by just 2% from the previous generation 45mm deep rim.
Finally, the R65 weighs 1,450g - 5% lighter than the previous generation wheelset - and reduces drag by a claimed 10%.
The new SOLiX wheelsets are built on Industry9's road hubset, which includes a freehub with 605 points of engagement for a 0.59 degree engagement angle. There's the option to upgrade the steel bearings to ceramic and there are Shimano HG11, Shimano Micro Spline, SRAM XDR and Campagnolo N3W freehub options, all with a Centerlock disc brake interface.
The UK price varies slightly by rim depth, with the R65 priced at £2,650, the R50 at £2,625 and the R35 at £2,600.
You can buy from Industry9 stockists in the UK, or from Industry9's European site, where the wheels are priced in Euros. As well as buying off-the-peg with the default black anodised hubs, you can choose from Industry9's 11 other hub colours, with a lead time of around 2 to 3 weeks.
You can also buy mixed depth R35/R50 and R50/R65 wheelsets and single front or rear wheels in all depths.