Industry Nine

Hydra Trail S 29in Boost Wheelset

Get ready to hit the trail at warp-speed with Industry Nine's new Hydra Trail S 29in Boost Wheelset. These fancy new hoops combine the classic Trail rim with the quickest new hub on the block — the I9 Hydra, which offers engagement that's so quick you won't know you even put the power down before you start rolling forward. That's because the hubs took some tech from the classics that came before it, and rolled right into the future with 690 points of engagement that propel you forward with 0.52-degree engagement, for the fastest hub we have yet to see on the market. This particular wheel build laces up Hydra hubs with I9's alloy Trail rims using straight-pull steel spokes, designed to simplify the build a bit, dropping down the price, so you can keep some of your upgrade budget safe for other components.

When it comes to tackling the mountain we don't think everyone should have to break the bank, and the designers at I9 don't think so either, which is why this particular model laces up the classic Trail rims to the Hydra hub using the more economical steel spokes, which is where this wheelset gets its "S" designation. The high-performance straight-pull system still offers stiff control with 28-spokes, but with a more conventional, approachable package that fits the pocketbook of those of us who don't want to blow this year's bike-upgrade-budget in one place. The Trail rims used are the same you'll find in the higher-end builds, with lightweight construction, and a moderate 27-millimeter internal width that accommodates 2.2-to-2.5-inch tires, finding the balance between reduced rolling resistance and plush control in corners.