Crank Brothers

Synthesis E Carbon Boost Wheelset - 29in

Generally speaking, the mountain bike industry is intensely progressive. Ever changing geometry, tire widths, hub standards, and gearing has become so common that we rarely get giddy about new tech. Thankfully, the engineers sent a shock to our expectations, and jolted us awake with the new Synthesis E Carbon Boost 29in Wheelset that challenges what we thought we knew about enduro wheels, and switches up tech with progressive ideas. These new-age hoops are uniquely tuned for enduro riding, putting both stiffness and compliance together in a single wheelset by crafting one rear-specific wheel, with elevated stiffness for exceptional tracking, and the other front-specific, tuned for compliance, grip, handling, and a bit more vibration damping. These are each laced up with front-and-rear specific spokes, landing with a stiff rear-wheel that doesn't compromise tracking in steep and loose corners, and a front wheel that holds its line, and soaks up harsh trail chatter.

To start to understand the Synthesis E Wheelset, we need to look at the differences between each rim. The front rim uses a wider profile, with an outer width of 37.5mm, and inner of 31.5mm — this translates to a wider platform to host beefier tires, allowing for soaking up vibrations, meanwhile amping up the traction to keep you locked into your line in loose and wily corners. This rim is laced up with 28 spokes — 4 fewer than the rear wheel, allowing just a little more compliance to elevate vibration damping. In the back, Crank Bro's opt for a slightly narrower rim with 29.5mm internal and 36.5 external width, laced up with a whopping 32 spokes for a stiffer feel that offers undeniable control, power, and tracking. But the differences don't stop at the rims — different spokes are employed on each wheel, with the front using Sapim's D-Light that keep weight at a minimum, without sacrificing strength, and the rear dialing in the stiffer, heavy-duty feel you need for tracking with Sapim's Race spoke.

This version of Crank Brother's Synthesis Carbon Wheels finds itself laced up neatly to the Synthesis Standard hub. While we admit, it isn't quite as flashy or fancy as the Synthesis 11 on its counterpart, the Standard still offers quick, 17-degree engagement, which is plenty to get you up and over punchy climbs, and it comes with a significant savings to your pocket book, so you won't have to spend all summer apologizing to your significant other for the dent you put in your savings.