Introducing The New Cobalt, Iodine, And Opium Wheelsets From Crankbrothers

When the founders of crankbrothers, Carl and Frank (get it? Carl + Frank = crank), first began developing a wheelset back in 2005, they wanted to create a wheel that had a more thoughtful design. In order to make something that is either stronger at the same weight, or lighter at the same strength, you have to use materials in a better, more efficient way. Carl and Frank wanted to completely pair up the spokes because paired spokes form a triangle, and triangles are the strongest geometric shape. This thought process lead to the design of the iconic and unique ::twinpair spoke wheelset, which was originally launched in 2008. Since then, we have continued updating the wheel design based on athlete feedback. In 2010, the 2nd generation wheelsets were launched with a new freehub design. Now, we are excited to share the newest generation of crankbrothers wheels.

Introducing the new cobalt, iodine, and opium wheelsets from crankbrothers.

Over the last two years, the engineers at crankbrothers have been focused on improving our wheel collection by redesigning the rim profile. With a design focused on strength : weight, the new rim profile is tuned for durability, lateral stiffness, and vertical compliance. We partnered with some of the world’s best athletes during our development and testing process to ensure that our wheelsets will exceed the demands of the most discerning and aggressive riders. With the addition of a 27.5 diameter, reduced prices on level 2 and 3 wheels, and full axle compatibility, the crankbrothers wheelset collection is an ideal upgrade to any mountain bike. As Hans Rey says, “crankbrothers wheels have been my loyal companions on many rides in the most remote corners of the globe.” Where will crankbrothers wheels take you?

“When we test new wheels, we train, practice, and race on the prototypes in all kinds of real world situations. The wheels get used hard, maintained, and replaced, so we can see where the weakest points are and report our findings and feelings on performance. The original MY 2008 opium wheels were pretty good for entering the DH wheel market for the first time. There were a few flaws with the freehub bodies, but those issues were resolved in the next generation hub. The MY 2010 opium wheels had the hub figured out, but the rims were too weak. This lead to a total redesign of the rim for MY 2014. Everything was considered: rim width, shape, height, material, joining, etc. With the redesign, we wanted a better seal for tubeless, more stability, a black option, as well as a rim that wasn't so hard and stiff it would flat, but that it could also hold up in rocks and big hits. These wheels have held up amazing with both tubes and tubeless, on a wide variety of terrain at speeds and under pressure. I think crankbrothers found a balance with the stiffness and width that takes impacts really well.”
- Jill Kintner, Norco International DH Team

Over the last 2 years, the engineers at crankbrothers have been focused on improving our wheel collection by redesigning the rim profile. With a design focused on strength : weight, the new rim profile is tuned for durability, lateral stiffness, and vertical compliance. We accomplished this by focusing on three key design elements in the rim profile: 1) internal lateral widths have been increased by 2mm on each model, 2) all sidewalls are 1.7mm lower, and 3) all rim depths have increased. We also focused on reducing weight in four key areas, including removing the original central I-beam, tapering sidewall thickness, reducing bead hook width, and reducing sidewall height. The reduced bead hook width and sidewall height, along with the curved tire well and non-perforated tire bed, also make the wheels incredibly easy to setup tubeless. After thorough FEA stress analysis, extensive machine testing, and hours of ride testing, we are certain that you can have confidence in the new collection of crankbrothers wheelsets.

Tech Specs

Crank Brothers Introduces The Mallet DH Race

   
The original crankbrothers mallet has long been the most raced pedal in the dh World Cup circuit. It has landed athletes on many World Cup podiums, not to mention a few World Championship titles along the way. When crankbrothers redesigned the mallet in 2011, it featured a slimmer body that became very popular among all-mountain riders. However, it left the dh racers missing the platform they had been racing on – and winning on – for years. With direct feedback from World Cup athletes, crankbrothers has added a new pedal to the mallet family. It's a premium, downhill race pedal with the same shape and feel of the original mallet, but with many improvements to functionality and durability. It's a pedal designed specifically for World Cup dh racers.

Introducing the mallet dh/race.

The mallet dh/race pedals are already being raced by some of the best dh racers in the world. They were put to the test on the 2012 World Cup circuit, and their strength and durability were proven again and again during a year of prototype testing without a single failure. After a season of taking the pros to countless podiums – and even taking Greg Minnaar to a World Championship – the mallet dh/race pedals are now available to take you down your favorite dh courses as you chase some podiums of your own. As Steve Peat says, with the mallet dh/race, "you'll have the right tool for the job."

weight	479g per pair
platform	extruded/machined aluminum
wings	investment cast steel
spring	300 series spring steel
spindle	forged scm435 chromoly steel
spindle q factor	increased 5mm per spindle
inner bearing	needle + cartridge bearing
outer bearing	cartridge
traction pins	8mm adjustable
release angle	15° to 20°
cleat	premium brass cleats included
color	red
warranty	5 years
msrp	$140 / €140

"It's been great to work with crankbrothers on the new mallet dh/race. I would consider this to be the market leader in function for dh and trail riding, and being able to improve on the design was exceptional. Having feedback from the racers using the pedals is key, and we did our best to put it through its paces. At the World Cup level, a season of racing is extremely hard on gear, and to go a full season on one set of pedals in all conditions really speaks for itself as far as durability goes. Mud clearance is better, the design supports your feet well, and axle strength is just right."
- Justin Leov

  Learn More ABout The Mallet DH Race

Crank Brothers Introduces Iodine 29er Wheels

29ers are no longer just for cross country. More and more trail and all mountain bikes are adopting the bigger wheels, and crankbrothers has the perfect wheel choice for these bikes. Introducing the iodine 29er wheelsets.

We addressed the specific needs of the all mountain 29er with a completely redesigned rim profile. Instead of simply using the 26-inch rim profile on a 29-inch wheelset, we went back to the drawing board and created a wheelset that is optimized for 29-inch all mountain riding. The iodine 29er design continues to use the features that made the original crankbrothers wheels so unique.

Crankbrothers wheels are the only sets on the market that have ::twinpair spoke technology, equalizing the load on each side. This stout triangle intersects to a solid, durable rim with no perforations because the spokes attach to a vertical tab that runs along the inner rim. The spokes and nipples come together at the midpoint for easier and accurate tension adjustment. With a redesigned freehub that virtually eliminates failure, these design features create a highly technical, ultra strong wheelset that limits dishing, elevates stiffness, and allows less rolling resistance. Plus, the iodine 29er redesigned rim profile reduces the excess weight typical of a 29er wheelset, while keeping the necessary stiffness and strength for aggressive trail and all mountain riding.

The new crankbrothers iodine all mountain 29er wheelset, available now in
level 2 or 3.

The redesigned 29er rim profile is optimized for aggressive trail and all mountain riding. The thinner rim extrusion minimizes rotational weight for an ideal mix of strength and weight, designed specifically for any 100-130mm full suspension 29er bike.

Buy with confidence knowing that iodine 29er hubs are fully configurable. Front hub adapter kits are included with all iodine 29er wheelsets, and iodine 3 29er rear hubs can be easily adapted to either 10x135 or 12x142 rear spacing (both up and down). Iodine 2 29er rear hubs can be adapted from 142mm down to 135mm, but cannot be adapted from 135mm up to 142mm.

Iodine 2 Specs

weight front/rear	1930g
rim material	6061-t6 aluminum
joint	welded
internal width	21mm
valve hole dia.	6.5mm
braking surface	disc brake only
spokes
material	stainless steel
butting	2.0 / 1.8 / 2.0
number	24
spoke pins	solid orange
nipples
material	7075-t6 aluminum
hubs
front hub shell	2 cartridge bearings
front axle	qr15 or 20mm thru axle 9mm qr kits available
rear hub shell	135mm: 2 cartridge bearings
rear axle length	135mm x 10mm qr or 142mm x 12mm thru axle
freehub material	steel
compatibility
tire	tubeless compatible
recommended tire size	2.3-2.5"
color
rim / nipples	black / black
spoke	silver
hub	silver
quick release	rear split qr included qr's are included to match the hub configuration. they are not included for thru axle hubs.
warranty	2 years
msrp	$650us / €650

Iodine 3 Specs

weight front/rear	1860g
rim material	6061-t6 aluminum
joint	welded
internal width	21mm
valve hole dia.	6.5mm
braking surface	disc brake only
spokes
material	sapim stainless steel
butting	2.0 / 1.8 / 2.0
number	24
spoke pins	hollow iron color
nipples
material	7075-t6 aluminum
hubs
front hub shell	2 cartridge bearings
front axle	qr15 or 20mm thru axle 9mm qr kits available
rear hub shell	4 cartridge bearings
rear axle length	135mm x 10mm qr or 142mm x 12mm thru axle
freehub material	alloy
compatibility
tire	tubeless compatible
recommended tire size	2.3-2.5"
color
rim / spine / nipples	black / iron / iron
spokes	silver
hub	black
quick release	rear split qr included qr's are included to match the hub configuration. they are not included for thru axle hubs.
warranty	2 years
msrp	$950us / €950