Ibis

S35 29in Carbon Rim

Ibis is well-versed in the language of carbon fiber, as their frames and wheels have exceeded riders' expectations for years now. But considering the progressive nature of mountain biking and Ibis's continual desire to improve, they've released a new version of their carbon fiber rims that they call the S-Series. Developed in collaboration with Stan's No Tubes, these rims use a number of design tactics to improve the rim's strength and ride quality. First off is a shorter beadwall height that elevates impact resistance. Next is the inclusion of Stan's Bead Socket Technology that better matches the shape of the tire for a safer, more secure interface. Lastly, Ibis has refined the carbon lay-up with a stronger resin that improves the overall strength of the rim—a material they've dubbed "Toughened Hybrid Carbon." This particular model is the S35, which comes with—you've guessed it—a 35mm internal width that makes it a perfect option for all-mountain and enduro riding thanks to its ability to support wider tires.

To start the rims out, Ibis refined its carbon layup to elevate strength beyond wheels the brand has built in the past. To do this, a combination of resin materials were used in the carbon to get the right balance of feel and strength. Part of that secret formula packs in Toughened Resin that is used in the beadwall, allowing the beadwalls to flex a bit and handle impacts thanks to its stiffer properties that hold shape through the rubble. The toughened carbon fiber is paired with asymmetric technology that offsets the wheel's spoke holes in order to improve the bracing angle of the spokes, and with the huge 35-millimeter internals you'll notice that the offset is more drastic than you may have spotted before in narrower rims. This large offset enables each side of the wheel to be tensioned to nearly identical tolerances, resulting in a wheel that's not only stiffer, but also more durable when the rubber hits the dirt.

One of the many things we appreciate about Ibis Cycles is the brands ability to recognize where other brands excel in the industry, and rather than fighting to mimic products with their own tweaks, Ibis opts to team up with Stan's to build on each others' expertise to craft a better wheelset. With beadwalls on wheels seeing a lot of pressure, whether from the bead of a tire, or a rock on the outside, Ibis knew that its wheels needed to get a boost in strength, and that Stan's held years of trade secrets to help achieve that strength. And so the collaboration was born, bringing BST technology to reduce beadwall heights and optimize tire fit, and elevate strength so the rims are less likely to bend and break under pressure of the ride.