WTB Frequency i23 AM wheelset: alternative to Flow rims

[4slomo]

I just completed a 26er AM wheelset with the new WTB Frequency i23 rims (UST/TLR profile), Wheelsmith DB 14 spokes, and CK ISO hubs for a customer in Toronto. Total wheelset rotating weight: 1,850g. I am completely impressed by the quality of these new rims: 469g, 120kgf max. spoke tension, very nice design details. As I finished the build process, the wheels had the feel of having developed high strength, and built up very true.

Next i23 wheelset presently underway is a 29er set for a customer in Eugene.

[mtnbiker72]

I'd say they are definitely an alternative to the Flow. Given they have a true UST rim profile and they are eyeleted some would say they may even be an improvement (though my Charger Expert wheels with BST rims work just fine with UST spec beads).

I'll be interested to see how the new Pancenti TL28's compare as well.

[4slomo]

With the Frequency rims, WTB eliminated eyelets for directionally drilled and radiused spoke nipple holes. They are getting even better durability in this manner.

[bholwell]

Does the "23" refer to the internal width of these rims, or outer width? (WTB's website is lacking in critical information)

[b-kul]

inner

[4slomo]

Yes, i23stands for internal width 23mm.

Does the "23" refer to the internal width of these rims, or outer width? (WTB's website is lacking in critical information)

[italianbike74]

What about the i19? Anybody have built those rims for xc racing ?
thanks

[Flboy]

UST bead, what taspe or rim strip do they recomend for tubless use?

[b-kul]

just stans yellow tape i beleive.

[4slomo]

25 mm wide tape such as Stans is recommended for the i23.

UST bead, what taspe or rim strip do they recomend for tubless use?

[jamesnorton]

What about the i19? Anybody have built those rims for xc racing ?
thanks

just picked up a set of CK hubs laced to 29er wtb frequency i19's pretty darn light. however i didn't get to weigh in grams but under 4lbs for the set w/o cassette.

[4slomo]

I just completed a 29er AM Single Speed wheelset with the new WTB Frequency i23 rims (UST/TLR profile), Wheelsmith DB 14 spokes, DT Swiss 350 front hub and CK ISO SS rear hub for a customer in Eugene. Total wheelset rotating weight: 1,990g. I am completely impressed by the quality of these new rims: 503g, 120kgf max. spoke tension, very nice design details. As I finished the build process, the wheels had the feel of having developed high strength, and built up very true.

[wyatt79m]

looks good

[CupOfJava]

Looks nice. How does the tubeless setup compare to Stans flow?

[Yogii]

2,000 grams ain't light! WTB seems to have done a nice job with their recent rim upgrades, took them a while. But please, NEVER stop making the DD!

[4slomo]

Here's a link to a WTB web page showing rim cross section UST details: TCS. The bead hook & lock design provides a more secure hold on the tire bead. The center well "on-ramp" has room for the tire beads when mounting a tire on the rim, and geometry to help the bead to move from the well to the bead lock. Just makes mounting a little easier, depending on the actual shape of the tire bead.

Looks nice. How does the tubeless setup compare to Stans flow?

[4slomo]

I designed this single speed AM wheelset for a customer with a riding weight of 225-230 pounds, it needs adequate strength to meet his requirements.

2,000 grams ain't light! WTB seems to have done a nice job with their recent rim upgrades, took them a while. But please, NEVER stop making the DD!

[bholwell]

2,000 grams ain't light! WTB seems to have done a nice job with their recent rim upgrades, took them a while. But please, NEVER stop making the DD!

It's pretty light for a 29er AM wheelset with CK hubs. An identical wheelset with Flows would have weighed approx. 100g more.

[zg2tn9]

Where did you purchase new rims WTB (FREQUENCY i23 26)?
I could not find them on sale in any online store.
What is the technology of "4D Drilling"? About her writing WTB in the specification to the rim.

[4slomo]

Any WTB dealer can sell WTB rims, and I am one of probably many dealers. I may have been lucky enough to build the first ones commercially. The Dealer Locator portion of WTB's website has a message saying it is temporarily unavailable. The International Distributors webpage directory is working. The WTB online store web pages don't appear to have been updated yet with the new rims. The rims should be showing up on the online stores soon, as they have carried all of the WTB products in the past.

The 4D drilling is angled drilling with each hole pointed directly towards the hub flange hole where the spoke is intended to go. This minimizes the bending stress on the spoke and nipple at the rim from otherwise less accurate alignment.

Where did you purchase new rims WTB (FREQUENCY i23 26)?
I could not find them on sale in any online store.
What is the technology of "4D Drilling"? About her writing WTB in the specification to the rim.

[savagemann]

How do these compare to the Lazer TCS All Mountain Race rims?
What about max spoke tension?

Sent from my SCH-I510 using Tapatalk

[ivarulz]

Good question.

In online stores you can buy both Frequency and last season WTB Laser TCS.
The 19mminner width are both mentioned at 385g.

Seems the new design dropped eyelets for the 4d drilling.

Did you have the change to build with both? what is your opinion.

Just bought a set of Laser TCS XC 32h, and are getting ready to be built with DT Revolutions 2.0-1.5-2.0 and WTB Laserdisc hubs (reusing the hubs from an old wheelset)

[4slomo]

WTB said that they got better rim durability results using the 4D spoke hole drilling technology as compared with their previous eyeletted rims, think of this as a further refinement in their rim design. The rims have the same maximum spoke tension as the previous Laser TCS models: 120 kgf. I do like building with the Frequency rims better than the Laser TCS rims and have gotten even better results.

How do these compare to the Lazer TCS All Mountain Race rims?
What about max spoke tension?

Sent from my SCH-I510 using Tapatalk

[sti29]

I'm planning on building at wheelset with these rims in 29 inch with either Hope Pro 2 or XTR M988 hubs. Does anyone know the spoke length for these setups? All parts are yet to be ordered, so I can't measure anything myself. No info on ERD or anything on the WTB site.

[4slomo]

I measured the ERD for the two 29er i23 rims I ordered at 599 mm each. It is always best to actually measure your rims before calculating spoke length, especially until the consistency of the ERD is established for new rim models. Hub measurements are more standardized, and manufacturer's measurements can usually be trusted.

I'm planning on building at wheelset with these rims in 29 inch with either Hope Pro 2 or XTR M988 hubs. Does anyone know the spoke length for these setups? All parts are yet to be ordered, so I can't measure anything myself. No info on ERD or anything on the WTB site.