NOBL claims lightest 30mm internal width XC wheelset

All-new NOBL Ethos mountain bike wheelsets span XC to enduro and include the 993g SL180, claimed to be the lightest 30mm-wide production XC wheelset available.
By Jeff Barber
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NOBL Ethos Ti70 hub, left. All photos: NOBL.

NOBL is rolling out a whole slate of fresh mountain bike wheelsets designed for everything to XC to enduro. One wheelset in the new Ethos line, the Ethos SL180, is said to be the lightest, 30mm internal width cross-country production wheelset on the market.

NOBL Ethos SL180 wheels weigh 993g, feature string-like Berd PolyLight spokes

The new NOBL Ethos SL180 wheels are designed for short track XC and ultralight cross-country racing. Featuring Berd PolyLight spokes, DT Swiss 180 hubs, and freshly designed NOBL Ethos carbon rims, a pair of 29er wheels weighs 993g. That’s 5g lighter than a set of Roval Control World Cup wheels with 28.5mm-wide rims, and significantly lighter than Reserve 28|XC wheels with the same DT Swiss 180 hubs.

Close-up of a mountain bike tire mounted on a rugged wheel, resting on a gravel and dirt surface. The tire features a prominent brand logo and exhibits a partially worn tread pattern, indicating use in off-road conditions.

The Rovals cut weight by using just 20 spokes per wheel, while the NOBL Ethos SL180s feature a full 28 spokes, along with a wider 30mm internal rim width.

Priced at $2,499, the NOBL Ethos SL180 wheels are not cheap. That’s $300 more than the Reserve 28|XC wheels and $1,000 more than the Rovals.

NOBL wheels are hand-built in Bellingham, WA, and Cumberland, BC.

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Close-up shot of a bicycle tire labeled "Schwalbe Rick XC Pro - TLR Speedgrip 29x2.40," featuring visible tread patterns and a valve stem, set against a natural background of dirt and foliage.

Updated rims

NOBL Ethos rims feature an updated design that’s said to offer a more flexible ride feel that’s also more durable than previous rims. Specific rims for XC, trail, and enduro are offered with dedicated front and rear designs. Front rims are lighter weight, while the rear rims are meant to be more durable.

XC and trail rims are offered in 29″ diameters only, and the enduro and HD wheelsets are available with 29″ and 27.5″ rim diameters.

A titanium freehub

While the ultra lightweight NOBL Ethos SL180 wheelset features DT Swiss hubs, the new Eros XC, trail, and enduro wheels in the Ethos line are available with NOBL Ti70 hubs. The hubs, developed in partnership with Berd and Erase Components, feature a titanium freehub and a 70-tooth ratchet for 5.14° of engagement. Ti70 hubs are Boost-spaced (no Super Boost) and are available with a 6-bolt or Centerlock rotor interface.

NOBL Eros HD wheels, designed for gravity riding and e-bikes, come with an Erase, J-Bend, Titanium freehub, which is available in both Boost and Super Boost sizes.

“When a rider asks for the best wheelset we can possibly build, I want the answer to be simple: Ethos,” NOBL founder Trevor Howard said in a press release.

 
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