Industry Nine Hydra Trail S 29in Boost Wheelset for Sale, Reviews, Deals and Guides

10
out of 10
5 Positive, 0 Mixed & 0 Negative
from 5 Reviews
Retail Price:
$975.00
Used Value:
$585.00
Sale Value:
$877.50

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 wheelbuild 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.

The Hydra hubs build on Industry Nine's previous drive system, the Torch, which is pretty easy to spot if you take a peek at the internals. You'll spot a similar pawl layout that we've seen before in the Torch, and the same pristine machining coming straight from Asheville, North Carolina. Like the old Torch hub, the Hydra features a 6 pawl design, but the drive ring amps things up to a 115-tooth drive ring, as opposed to the 60-tooth used in the Torch, crating a whopping 690 points of engagement, blowing the 120 points of engagement of the Torch out of the water. These 690 points of contact translate directly to the snappiest hubs we've ever seen, with only 0.52-degrees of engagement, propelling you forward just about the instant you put any power down. Furthermore, the engineers opted to keep things simple for those of us who tinker on our bikes at home, making the hub fully serviceable without any proprietary tools.

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.

Specifications

Brand:
Brake Compatibility:
6-bolt disc
Claimed Weight:
[pair] 1695g, [front] 785g, [rear] 910g
Front Axle:
15 x 110mm Boost
Hubs:
Industry Nine Hydra
Manufacturer Warranty:
2 years
Max Rider Weight:
230lb
Rear Axle:
12 x 148mm Boost
Recommended Use:
enduro, trail
Rim Material:
aluminum
Rim Width:
[inner] 27mm, [outer] 31mm
Spoke Count:
28
Spokes:
straight-pull steel
Tire Type:
tubeless-ready clincher
Wheel Size:
29in

Full Reviews

10
Didn’t realize Industry Nine was a top tier wheelset brand, in particular the Hydra hubs, until I read articles, watched YouTube reviews, and received compliments from others. I was a bit concerned about rolling resistance of the freehub body, but that was an issue with the previous model, the Torch. There seemed to be some rolling resistance when spinning the wheel on my bike stand, but hard to tell on the trail. By the 3rd ride of about 10 miles each, I noticed a difference in freehub resistance. It definitely seemed to coast much longer on the bike stand, but I could notice the difference on the trail. They just seemed to roll real nice compared to the stock DT Swiss XM 1900 wheels I had previously. I noticed right away the handling. My previous wheelset had a 30mm internal rim width, which is great if you’re pointing the wheel south to do some gnarly terrain with big drops, but for XC and trail terrain, the 27mm inner rim width of the I9, is more responsive and easier to control through technical terrain and switch backs. Setting up the wheelset to tubeless was the easiest setup I’ve ever done. It was so easy that I didn’t have to use soapy water or remove the valve core to blast it with air from my compressor. I mounted the tires and used my floor pump, that was it. After four rides the tire pressure held with no leaks without using sealant. Ah the engagement....didn’t know this was a hot topic with aftermarket wheels until I read the reviews and found the I9 Hydra is the gold standard when it comes to the most efficient engagement. I didn’t realize how bad my DT Swiss stock wheels were until I mounted these I9’s on my bike and actually went on the trail. It’s like comparing a 720 to 4K TV high definition. The 720 is ok because you don’t know any better, but once you get that 4K, nothing else compares. The Hydra’s engagement is instantaneous, I mean there is no noticeable play in the engagement from the moment you mash down on the pedals to when the rear wheel puts power to the ground. The I9 Hydra’s buzzing is adjustable by either applying a specific brand of thicker grease to the pawls to make them more quiet, or oil to make them more audible. I prefer the stock grease with a subtle buzzing that is very distinctive. If you’re like me and think the sound will annoy you, it doesn’t at all and it sounds quite cool and unique. Looks, they are absolutely cool looking wheels and the rims are equally impressive. The rims have a pattern what appears to be lasered on the surface that is unique to I9, and the laser etching on the hubs surface is precise and pops with the black anodized finish of the hub shells. So far I have been impressed with these wheels after only four rides and hope they continue to impress as I rack on more miles Cheers!
Miguel G., backcountry.com
December 13, 2020
10
Best bang for the buck. I can buy 2 1/2 of these wheelers for the price of carbon, and they are sooooo nice. Replaced some worn out high $$$ carbon hoops with these and the bike feels brand new. They are so snappy and responsive, and I don't have to worry so much about abusing them because I can afford to replace them. You won't be disappointed.
ipsenator, backcountry.com
September 24, 2020
10
I9 Nailed it... I already loved my ride, but these Hydras are just ridiculous ......downside is that I won't be able to resist dropping more $ on another set because I don't dig my other bikes as much as I remember.
John A, backcountry.com
June 4, 2020
10
Set up Tubeless, and things are going fine! INSTANT power with this hydra hub...it would be hard to ride something else now that I've ridden this hub. Very happy!
Scott B., backcountry.com
February 12, 2020
10
It was time to upgrade my wheels on the XC machine and what an upgrade it was. The new Hydra hub from Industry Nine is worthy of the hype. If you want a hub with engagement look no further! Laced to the 27mm wide tubeless ready rims (come taped with tubeless valves) with 28 straight-pull spokes makes a strong wheelset ready to take on some nastier XC trails. If you are looking for a great alloy wheelset then this is my recommendation.
Jonathan E, backcountry.com
April 19, 2019