Crank Brothers

Iodine 3 29in Boost Wheelset

Look no further than the Crank Brothers Iodine 3 29in Boost Wheelset if  you're seeking striking aesthetics matched with reliable stiffness. Different by design, the Iodine 3 represents a radical departure that's both useful on the trail and aesthetically pleasing. This particular version is billed as an "elite level" alloy wheelset for enduro and all-mountain riders concerned with reliable stiffness and strength. Tipping the scales at 1800 grams, it's certainly a competitive weight if you're seeking to shed a few grams from their heavier stock wheels—all without emptying your wallet for pricier carbon offerings. It saves approximately 70 grams from the Iodine 2, mainly from using lighter alloy on the freehub instead of steel.

One of the first things you'll notice on the Iodine 3 is the striking twinspoke design, which catches attention as you fly down steep descents strewn with chunky rock sections and flowing berms. Not only is this design complementary to your trail rig, but more importantly, the twinspokes increase overall stiffness and strength with their triangular structure. For those unfamiliar with engineering principles, triangles are regularly employed on bridges and overhanging structures due to their load-bearing ability. Translated into the Iodine 3's ride characteristics, you'll appreciate a noticeable increase in stiffness over flimsier stock wheels. Another benefit, the spoke's overall mass is placed closer to the wheel's center for quick acceleration when you're climbing and bursting out of corners.

Seeing the 6061-T6 alloy rim sits at 28 millimeters across (internal width), the Iodine 4 is sufficiently stout for tires in the range of 2.3 to 2.5 inches. The 28-millimeter width provides plentiful support without deforming rubber into a bulbous shape and exposing sidewalls to slashes and accidental burps. The undrilled rim profile makes tubeless set-up a breeze, as you don't need to use rim tape. Another thing to note, Crank Brothers redesigned their hubs a couple of seasons back for greater reliability. Both hubs run on sealed cartridge bearings, with the rear hub having a three-pawl freehub with 21 points of engagement.

Please note, this wheelset comes in Boost spacing and it's only compatible with Shimano and 9/10-speed SRAM drivetrains. If you're rocking a newer 11-speed or Eagle 12-speed drivetrains from SRAM, you'll have to purchase a separate XD freehub body through Crank Brothers.