Submitted by
oren levy
a Weekend Warrior
from israel Date Reviewed: October 9, 2008
Favorite Trail:
all mountain
Duration Product Used:
2 Years
Price Paid:
$1200.00
Purchased At:
e-quip
Strengths:
amazing rolling stiffnes and litnes
Weaknesses:
none
Similar Products Used:
crossmax
Bike Setup:
cannondale rize 1
Bottom Line:
the best wheels i've had good for any conditions i rode.
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Submitted by
Iwan
a Weekend Warrior
from Cape Town, South Africa Date Reviewed: September 27, 2008
Favorite Trail:
Tokai / Harkerville and Jonkers at night
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Price Paid:
$1.00
Purchased At:
William's Bike Shop
Strengths:
Light for what it is and can cope with
Freaking good looking
Stiff
Super fast engagement
Adaptable
Weaknesses:
On the expensive side, but no more than a Chris King Wheelset
Similar Products Used:
Chris King wheelset
Mavic
XT AM
XT
XTR
Bike Setup:
Ibis Mojo SL
Bottom Line:
I love these. Mine is build with Stan's Flow rim and I use the 20mm conversion. Took me 5min to convert them from 9mm QR to 20mm TA. Brilliant. Difficult to tell whether they engage faster than CK's, but these are as fast as they get. Have been stiff and true through rock gardens and have stayed true after several drops, jumps and other adventures.
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Submitted by
Gorealquick
a Racer
from Quesnel, BC, Canada Date Reviewed: September 15, 2008
Favorite Trail:
Pinnacles
Duration Product Used:
2 Years
Purchased At:
Cycle Logic - Quesne
Strengths:
Super light, instant freehub engagement, less expensive than comparable alternatives, hot!
Weaknesses:
Bearing longevity
Similar Products Used:
Chris King, Mavic Crossmax SLR
Bike Setup:
Scott Spark w full XTR and matching I9's... sweeeeet.
Bottom Line:
I've been racing on the ultralight version built onto Stans ZTR rims for two seasons now, including mega-events like the TransRockies and BC Bike Race. Actual weights came in at 620g front and 820g rear. These things fly! They make the climbs nearly effortless. I used to downhill race, so they take a beating on the decents and come out unscathed. Next to no trueing required. The freehub mechanism is super simple to rebuild and works virtually flawlessly. WAY tougher than Mavic's pathetic FTS-L freehubs.
Downside - while doing the first spoke tension job (after a year!) I busted a spoke getting tension up to recommended torque. When I replaced that spoke, it happened a second time. Spoke windup was the issue. So, if you get the ultralight spokes, tension a tad under recommended torque. No biggie. Secondly, the bearings are quite exposed, so bearing durability is a factor. I went through the stock bearings after about a thousand kilometers, then replaced with full ceramic bearings (not hybrid ceramic). They spin AMAZING, but didn't last any longer than the stock bearings. As a racer and a mechanic, a little extra bearing maintenance for something this high performance is not a huge deal... just bit annoying. Lighter, cheaper, and better freehubs than Mavic SLR. Ride them, love them. There goes my secret advantage!
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Submitted by
CE750
a Weekend Warrior
from Phoenix Date Reviewed: June 14, 2008
Favorite Trail:
All of them
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Price Paid:
$990.00
Purchased At:
Direct
Strengths:
Amazingly stiff, super fast engagement, look absolutely great! Attention getters.
Weaknesses:
Many LBS tech scratch their heads when you ask them to work on them.. A bit loud, even after some 1000km of riding
Similar Products Used:
Mavic and King
Bike Setup:
Moots Cinco, no expense spared build up
Bottom Line:
After two prior high end wheel sets from Mavic and King I settled on these.. as the best compromise between light weight and strong. I've only had one spoke break and with the 8 spares shipped with the wheels I can keep these another 8 years before I run out of spares. I love how stiff they are for my urban style of riding and at the same time they're fast and strong.
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Submitted by
H
a Racer
from Orlando Date Reviewed: April 19, 2008
I have the 6 pawl hubs with Stans ZTR rims. These wheels are all about going fast. Stiff, light and instant engagement all help to equal podium time! I've used these as my race wheels for 2 seasons with only one warranty issue after a race course that had water crossings over 18" deep. I9 replaced the bearings and had them back to me within 4 days.
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Submitted by
Kev
a Weekend Warrior
from Tampa FL Date Reviewed: March 18, 2008
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Price Paid:
$900.00
Purchased At:
Santos Trailhead Bike Shop
Strengths:
I have the super light version of these wheels and they are very light, very stiff, and roll well (when they work)
Weaknesses:
not sealed vs. water worth a damn. per I9 no warranty in Florida because its, and I quote..."too sandy" WTF? Price is also a negative
Bike Setup:
2008 ellsworth epiphany X0 drive train
Bottom Line:
I, like everyone else, loved these wheels the first few months I had them. Then, after have to replace all bearings in both the front and rear hub on top of I9 telling my LBS that they would not warranty the bearings in Florida because its too sandy I changed my mind. The hubs are not sealed vs. moisture/water very well - also out of the mouth of the I9 contact my bike shop spoke with. I then suffered a cracked hub housing that was warrantied. A week after that the Pals started makiung a very nasty clicking noise as if they were not engaging.
Overall these wheels were a waste of my time and money. What kind of stupid sompany makes a mountain bike wheel set that they wont warranty because the state you ride is "too sandy". What people who ride in Arizona? I've riden in North Carolina, in Ashville where the wheels are manufactured and geuss what...yup, there's sandy conditions there as well.
Bottom line forget these pieces of junk and go with a nice set of Mavic Crosssmax SLRs... I9s warranty if a farce, to bad the jokes on me....
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Submitted by
JJ
a Cross Country Rider
from Big Sky, MT, USA Date Reviewed: September 30, 2007
Favorite Trail:
Wapiti
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Purchased At:
900
Strengths:
These wheels are strong, and stiff. Noticeably stiffer than the Crossmax SL set up I was running previously. The engagement is instantanious, which is something really cool, and threy have a loud freewheel sound along the lines of Chris King. They also look really neat with thick colorful spokes and a matching hub body (mine are red).
Weaknesses:
Price and weight. They are expensive, and they weigh more than the Crossmax Sl and SLR set up I was running prior. I have not tried the Ultralight version of I9, so I can't comment on that. Side note. I really had a hard time with the DT Swiss tubeless system. It wouldn't seal forever and I finally ended up using stan's fluid with the DT rim strip. I think the ammount of fluid I've used (and it's messy) would equal a tube in weight. I would recommend just going with Stan's if you go tubeless.
Similar Products Used:
Crossmax SL
Bike Setup:
Ellsworth Truth, XO drivetrain (XTR Front and Cranks), Marta SL brakes, F100 RLC, Love the bike
Bottom Line:
Industry Nine makes a great product. My mechanic doesn't carry I9 spokes, but it's a niche part of the high end bike market. I would hope anyone carrying I9 wheels carries their spokes, but then the color issue might become a problem. I love the wheelset! The rear wheel takes some time to break in. It's a little stiff at first and I thought it would be a problem, but the movement comes along after a few rides. Maybe it was the cool weather constantly gelling the grease. Love the freehub scream! Great colors, and the wheels are solid. I would put them up against Crossmax anytime. Should you go tubeless, think twice before using DT's product.
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Submitted by
Brandon
a Weekend Warrior
from San Francisco Date Reviewed: September 29, 2007
Favorite Trail:
technical dirt
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$850.00
Purchased At:
Roaring Mouse
Strengths:
This wheelset is LIGHT, FAST and STRONG. Plus, I dare you to find a sexier looking wheel.
Weaknesses:
They are expensive, but you do get what you pay for. I didn't like the five and a half week lead time, but they quoted 6 weeks. So I guess you could say that they came in ahead of schedule.
Similar Products Used:
DT Swiss 340s laced to Mavic 321s, Shimano XTs hand laced to Mavic 517s
Bike Setup:
SC BLT, x9+ xtr 970 crank, juicy seven discs
Bottom Line:
These are the sickest wheels I have ever ridden. They roll like they don't touch the ground and they hold every line faithfully. If you want the wheelset with everythng to offer, pony up the dollars, be patient and get the most beautiful, hard working set up in the business.
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Submitted by
Matt
a Cross Country Rider
from Los Angeles Date Reviewed: September 27, 2007
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$870.00
Purchased At:
speedgoat
Strengths:
Tough and light and they look awesome. Great freehub with instant engagement. nice thick AL spokes.
Weaknesses:
price, but as they say, you get what you pay for.
Bike Setup:
wheels and a frame and some other stuff
Bottom Line:
Only a month into this wheelset and it is awesome. When building up my new bike I was debating spending this much on a wheelset, but I am glad I did. However, on the other hand, I generally ride pretty hard and I am terrified of damaging them cause i cant afford to replace them if I do. Put my first scratch in the rear rim today and I am bummed. However they do seem pretty tough so far.
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Submitted by
Ed
a Weekend Warrior
from Bend, Or Date Reviewed: September 12, 2007
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$1000.00
Purchased At:
Sunnyside Sports
Strengths:
Light, stiff, beautiful. The best wheelset I have ever ridden. Almost instant hub engagement. Weighs in at 805gr front and 915gr rear.
Weaknesses:
Expensive. Be prepared to wait a long time to get them. Mine took twelve weeks to arrive.
Similar Products Used:
Rolf Dolomite, Bontrager Race Lite and Race X Lite, Mavic Crossmax SL.
Bike Setup:
Maveric ML7/5, DUC32, XT, Industry Nine All Mountain Wheels.
Bottom Line:
Über Light, stiff and fast. If you want the best and can stand the wait get these wheels.
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Submitted by
Mark Brenna
a Cross Country Rider
from Plymouth, MN Date Reviewed: July 9, 2007
Favorite Trail:
Namakagon Cluster
Duration Product Used:
2 Years
Price Paid:
$950.00
Purchased At:
Ind Nine direct
Strengths:
Light, strong, beautiful, BLING BLING!
Weaknesses:
none
Similar Products Used:
Various Mavic wheel sets
Bike Setup:
Titus Racer-X / SRAM X-O / Formula Oro Puro brakes...
Bottom Line:
The most well built, light wheight beautiful wheel set you will ever own. If you want the best for your bike, buy the Industry Nine's.
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Submitted by
Mo
a Cross Country Rider
from Chicago, IL, USA Date Reviewed: July 7, 2007
Favorite Trail:
Bullfrog Lake
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Purchased At:
750
Strengths:
An amazing set of wheels, super fast, stiff and durable. These are the best out there, no doubt about it. Red looks amazing in person.
Weaknesses:
zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz all the way down a hill
Similar Products Used:
Crossmax XL
Bike Setup:
07 Intense 5.5 with an 08 Talas RLC and 07 Swinger 4, Nevegals, XT
Bottom Line:
Get them, period. No regrets.
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Submitted by
Ian Leitch
a Racer
from Brighton Date Reviewed: February 9, 2007
Favorite Trail:
Crested Butt Co
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Strengths:
These are the uber stiff wheel choice. I rode a set at the World 24 Hour solo championships and after riding CRossmax SLs was blown away with their tracking and stiffness. Now even lighter in Ultralight format mine come in at 1410.
Weaknesses:
None so far
Similar Products Used:
Crossmax SL, Hope on X717
Bike Setup:
Indepdendent Fabrication Steel and Ti deluxes, XTR, Fox, I9 wheels and easton etc etc
Bottom Line:
I have picked up sponsorship with i9 alongside IF for this year. I approached i9 for one reason alone - their wheels really did feel different. The looks are a bonus. Rather like a set of XTR cranks these are one of those products where you feel the stiffness difference straight off.
Looking forward to 24 hour hammer them throughout 2007.
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Submitted by
Dayle
a
from New Zealand Date Reviewed: December 19, 2006
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Strengths:
Weight, stiffness, design, custom build options
Weaknesses:
availability
Similar Products Used:
Hope, Chris King, mavic, american classic
Bike Setup:
Yeti ARC, Fox RLT 100, juicy 5
Bottom Line:
Beautifuly strong fast wheels that will leave a very lasting impression on your riding experience. Buy these wheels if only the best will do...the only true instant engagement hub on the market. And make them a pretty colour of your choice.
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Submitted by
dylan
a
from wildwood,nevada,USA Date Reviewed: December 6, 2006
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Purchased At:
dealer
Strengths:
very strong very durable+they look really cool...
Weaknesses:
I broke one of the spokes from hard riding and cross gearing just dont do that and you will be fine for many years
Similar Products Used:
mavic dt max
Bike Setup:
stinky supreme industry nine wheelset none of original parts on the bike only frame too long of a list...
Bottom Line:
very duable well worth the $900 (if you arent sponsored...haha)
$
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