FIRST LOOK: IBIS BLACKBIRD SEND WHEELS AND RIMS
A new aluminum rim designed specifically to eliminate pinch flats
Ibis Cycles was at the forefront of the wide rim movement years ago and its wheels have been high on MBA’s favorites list ever since. Ibis has developed a whole new wheel brand called Blackbird and a new aluminum rim named Send to go with it. The new Send rim design is specifically engineered to eliminate pinch flats. Ibis gives the bead walls a hollow box section profile to remove the sharp edges and create a broad contact point with the tire. Ibis says this box-section also results in a stronger bead wall that doesn’t slice tire sidewalls or add any additional weight.
There are two models of Send rims: Send 1 and Send 2. The unique bead wall design is used on both models but the Send 2 features a reinforcing rib directly under the bead seat – the exact place most rims tend to dent and lose the ability to seal the tire. The Send 2 gains 45g per rim because of this reinforcement. The Send 1 29″ rim weighs 565 grams while a Send 2 comes in at 625 grams. Both rims feature a 35mm inner width, are avilaible in 27.5″ or 29″ diamters and retail for $99 each. Complete wheels will retail for a rather reasonable price of $529. Rims are avaible now but complete wheels will only be avaible on complete bicycles starting in February with aftermarket sales to follow later.
Ibis says that if you are looking for a lightweight aluminum rim with good strength then you will want its Send 1. Or choose Send 2 for something a bit tougher. Ibis’ Enduro World Series Team has been testing the Send 1 on the front and a Send 2 in the rear for the last two years. Ibis claims that out of its four EWS racers, they have only experienced one flat on race day through several EWS stage wins, three EWS podiums and one Swedish National Enduro Championship. Not a bad track record. Stay tuned for a full review where we put these claims to the test in Mountain Bike Action. See below for full specs and pricing:
BLACKBIRD SEND RIM SPECS
• 6061 Aluminum
• Intended use: Mountain Biking
• Internal Rim Width: 35mm (Send 1 & Send 2)
• 27.5” Rim Weights: Send 1 – 543g, Send 2 – 590g
• Single Rim MSRP: $99
• 29” Rim Weights: Send 1 – 565g, Send 2 – 625g
• 7-Year Warranty
• Single Rim MSRP: $99
• Available on launch day
BLACKBIRD SEND WHEEL SPECS
• Front Rim: Send 1
• Rear Rim: Send 2
• Intended Use: Mountain Biking
• Internal Rim Width: 35mm (F/R)
• 29” & 27.5”, Boost Only
• Wheelset Weights (with XD Driver & Rim tape): 27.5” – 1939g, 29” – 2060g
• Ibis Logo Hubs
• 32 Spoke Sapim D-Light J-bend Spokes
• 3-Cross Lacing (F/R)
• 7-year warranty
• Wheelset MSRP: $529
• Shipping on Ibis bikes beginning mid February
For more information please visit: https://www.ibiscycles.com/
