We Are One Announces New Convergence Carbon Rims & Wheels

Nov 23, 2022
by Mike Kazimer  
photo

We Are One are officially launching the unique new carbon rim shape that they previewed at Sea Otter earlier this year. The rim is called the Convergence, and its shape makes it look like it's been twisted, with a slightly angled profile around each spoke hole that's intended to reduce fatigue on the nipples and increase durability.

There's more to the new rim than just a pretty shape – according to We Are One's in-house testing, it's 32% stronger than the Canadian company's Union 29 rim. A portion of that increased strength comes from the use of ZRT composite films from Boston Materials to reinforce certain areas.
Convergence Details

• Three rim widths: 28, 30, or 33mm
• Internal rim width: 30mm
• Made in Kamloops, BC
• Lifetime warranty
• Rim only: $475 USD. Wheelset w/ I9 Hydra hubs: $1799 USD
• Weight (29" Triad 30 wheelset): 1887 grams
• weareonecomposites.com/convergence


ZRT is a Z-axis oriented carbon fiber, meaning that the tightly packed fibers are oriented vertically rather than horizontally. Incorporating layers of ZRT makes it possible to increase impact resistance and absorption while still maintaining a low overall profile. In this case, the Convergence rim has a height of 18.5 millimeters.

photo

photo

There are three different versions of the Convergence rim that are differentiated by the internal rim width.

Rim Options:
Sector 28 Wide: 495 grams, 29” only. Recommended tire width: recommended tire widths: 2.2-2.4"
Triad 30 Wide: 505 grams (29"), 490 grams (27.5"). Recommended tire widths: 2.4-2.5"
Fuse 33 Wide: 523 grams, 29” only. Recommended tire widths: 2.5-2.6"

Prices:
Convergence rim only $605 CAD, $475 USD
Convergence Wheelset with I9 Hydra Hubs $1999 CAD, $1799 USD

photo

A 29” Convergence Triad wheelset recently showed up for testing, and weighed in at 880 grams for the front wheel and 1007 grams for the rear, for a total weight of 1887 grams with tape and valve stems. The wheels just passed the 100 mile mark and are still spinning straight and true. I'll report back once I've racked up more miles and performed some back-to-back comparisons against other competitors, but so far things are off to a very strong start.

In the meantime, enjoy this slo-motion video from We Are One of their wheels in action.




Posted In:
Reviews and Tech First Looks Wheels We Are One We Are One Convergence


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277 Comments
  • 213 9
 WAO is steadily becoming the undefeated heavyweight champ when it comes to North American-made product that walks the walk and is still priced fairly compared to its competitors.
  • 110 2
 Is being the heavyweight champion a good thing when we're talking about wheels?
  • 40 127
flag CSharp (Nov 23, 2022 at 12:27) (Below Threshold)
 @slumgullion: The rims are definitely not light when they're carbon rims. Not cheap either when you consider LB carbon rims are half that price!
  • 62 24
 @CSharp: Half the price because they're made overseas, don't come with a lifetime warranty and are (very likely) poorer quality.
  • 84 7
 @CSharp: I'm somewhat impressed with just how thoroughly you've missed the point here.
  • 20 96
flag CSharp (Nov 23, 2022 at 12:56) (Below Threshold)
 @CarbonShmarbon: Well, I'm not impressed you totally missed my point Big Grin
  • 17 5
 @CSharp: You mean the rims made in Xiamen, China?
  • 37 31
 @rory: My LB rims are going strong on 7 years now at least for the oldest pair I have. Seems you (very likely) have no experience with them though so why say they are poor quality?
  • 41 11
 @warmerdamj: I've cracked every set I've got.... WAO are built in Canada and support trail builders, does LB?
  • 33 39
flag warmerdamj FL (Nov 23, 2022 at 13:14) (Below Threshold)
 @jaydawg69: I have no idea if they support local trail builders. I don't buy them based on that, I buy them based on the 100% success rate I have had with them. Sorry you have had a poor experience, at least you have had the experience before you comment though vs most others. Rock on brah.
  • 56 6
 @warmerdamj: It's not that they are low quality, but a high end LB wheelset (like a recon pro) with lifetime warranty will cost upwards of 1600 USD. For a lot of people, the benefits of encouraging a north american manufacturer with great products and service is worth more than 200 USD on a wheelset.

For most, replying with wrong data (i.e. half price) about a chinese manufacturer when the original commenter specifically referred to NA made products is mildly douchey.
  • 64 2
 Their products expose just how much profit the bigger brands are taking home, with frames / rims which cost 80-100% of what WAO charges, yet are produced in developing countries with wages which are 80% lower than in Kamloops BC. Keep it up We Are One !
  • 16 4
 I don't have WAO wheels, and really wanted to buy a set a year ago and for various reasons (including price) I ended up buying Nobl TR37s. I know the Nobl's are not made in NA but I can say from experience their service has been truly top notch. I had a bad and unlucky landing earlier his year, cracked the rear rim, and they did an amazing job of taking care of me.
  • 1 12
flag s100 (Nov 23, 2022 at 13:54) (Below Threshold)
 @jaydawg69: they COULD support local trail builders…
  • 19 31
flag warmerdamj FL (Nov 23, 2022 at 15:46) (Below Threshold)
 @guylovesbike: Personally I don't see the need for a lifetime warranty. I paid $1000CAD to build the LB ones I've had 7 years and they have XTR hubs. Honesty if they ever crack I will be fine with that at this point and just replace what ever individual part broke and keep riding them. Lifetime warranties don't mean much anymore because companies know that almost nobody is keeping things for a long enough time for that to matter.
  • 21 5
 @warmerdamj: Great, I guess? Now will you acknowledge the fact that they're cheap because they're made in China with incredibly cheap labour? People buy WeAreOnes for a variety of different factors beyond the initial base cost. Is any of this getting through to you?
  • 9 1
 That video was a full on banger - nice to see Johnny Helly kicking up the EARTH
  • 6 8
 @jayacheess: Chinese labour isn't as cheap as it used to be. Much of this type of work (its alot like garment work) is moving to other , cheaper parts of Asia. Sometimes this means non-communist countries (yay) but some of it moves to 'just another oppressive state (vietnam , myanmar etc)
  • 6 2
 @DGWW: Sure, absolutely. But cheap relative to Canadian/US labour.
  • 4 3
 @jayacheess: apparently it works out to 10% cheaper (or less) in China, which I think is alot more expensive than most people think. Things have changed in China really quickly.
  • 6 2
 @stuie321: I love my nobl tr37s. I’ve beat the shit out of them and have hardly needed to tighten a more than a few spokes in a over a year. Can’t say the same from my i9 hydra 305 wheelset.
  • 13 2
 @DGWW: How do you mean? That producing product is 10% cheaper total (including shipping and any other intermediary costs)? Or that Chinese labour is only 10% percent cheaper? It can't be the latter, given a Chinese factory worker made an average of 11k USD a year in 2020.

Either way, this is kind of an aside to the primary point: that buying things made in Canada and not shipped halfway around the world = pretty great.
  • 3 1
 @DGWW: their frames are not cheap
  • 1 1
 You mean Nobl wheels@DGWW:
  • 15 10
 @warmerdamj: so if you have that kind of disposable income and dont care about a 1000$, why not spenc a few extra 100s and get a product that is
A : build in your own country/ not freaking China
B : arguably better quality and will provide a superior ride
C : LIFETIME WARRANTY.
D : build with quality hubs( sorry but xtr hubs are crap af)

I know people that can go almost a whole year on the same set of tire…I go about 2 weeks on a rear in the summer.Just because you had a rim for 7 years doesnt mean they are wise alternative for everyone.A better quality rim is a much safer bet if you can afford it in my opinion
  • 17 33
flag warmerdamj FL (Nov 23, 2022 at 19:21) (Below Threshold)
 @jayacheess: No it's not getting through to me, why would I care that they are cheap because they are made in China? Seriously I do not understand why that matters.

They work and that's pretty much 99% of what I look for in bike parts. WAO are great Im sure but I don't see why people have a problem with LB. Nearly everything is made in China. It's like complaining about the big oil from your car. Just use what you like and what works for you. Or go on Pinkbike and try to make people feel dumb about it. Oh right... I forgot.
  • 24 33
flag warmerdamj FL (Nov 23, 2022 at 19:32) (Below Threshold)
 @neroleeloo: I literally go out of my way to spend less money on them so I don't see how I have so much disposable income.

A. I don't care where anything is made.
B. You have nothing to base that on but marketing and I bet you would never be able to tell the difference between any carbon wheels, you just want to get mad on the internet.
C. I don't care about this either, I don't break rims, I'm pretty light.
D. See my answer for "B".

Point out where I said they are a wise alternative for everyone? I just said I like them. You guys all need to relax. It's ok that I like LB wheels, you will all be ok.
  • 17 20
 @warmerdamj: your use of logic and sound reasoning will never go over well here. Best to make a comment about dentists and cable routing and call it a day. After all, people in China don’t need jobs or an income and they probably hate bikes.
  • 29 2
 It's more about sending money to a country run by an autocrat who has gotten rid of term limits and where there are issues with child and slave labor.

And even if someone (not you, esteemed Pinkbike colleague) happens to be so obtuse as to care about nothing but bikes, it's gonna be bad for the bike industry when Xi decides he's tired of playing nice with Taiwan. It will make the COVID supply chain issues look trivial.

I understand I can't avoid Chinese wares altogether. But in this case there is an excellent North American alternative.
  • 3 2
 @rory: got science for us?
  • 3 8
flag DGWW (Nov 23, 2022 at 21:29) (Below Threshold)
 @jayacheess: Yeah I looked into it recently and apparently when 'adjusted for productivity' Chinese labour is less than 10% cheaper than American Labour.
  • 12 1
 @Ashe14: haven't said anything about their frames being cheap.
We Are One Arrival Frame : 5,674.00 $ CAD - Made in BC
Santa Cruz Mega Tower Frame : 5,667 $ CAD - Made in China
  • 35 6
 @warmerdamj: Why you should care: Every dollar you spend in China goes towards an authoritarian regime with a brutal human rights record, who arrest innocent Canadians as a childish retaliatory act , who are totally corrupt, practice ethnic cleansing on a regular basis. You vote with your dollars. Having the option to have these types of things manufactured in Canada is a huge win, something to be celebrated & supported.
  • 1 3
 @txcx166: I don't see any sound reasoning, only mediocre justifications for an inferior product that they're somehow trying to push as though it's even remotely equivalent in this discussion via anecdotal evidence. At least dentist jokes can be funny, which is better than I can say for the posts from them.
  • 8 17
flag EarIysport FL (Nov 23, 2022 at 22:32) (Below Threshold)
 @DGWW: you are talking like someone who doesn’t know anyone that lives in China, and is dehumanising the Chinese population. Why would you rather support the guy down the street who you don’t know, vs the guy living on the Chinese street you don’t know? You think the factory making rims is part of the Chinese government? Get a clue dude. You’re so naive, and this blind patriotism is almost akin to racism.
  • 25 18
 @DGWW: this argument grows weary.. "oh that country has a terrible human rights record so you shouldn't support their economy". Only a couple of generations ago your people massacred indigenous tribes, kept slaves and deliberately wiped out food sources and habitat of indigenous people and animals, pillaged the natural landscapes and forests and still continue to do so... no country is spotless whether it be now or a short moment in the past.
  • 6 2
 @ctd07: That was... incredible
  • 5 3
 @CSharp: I've also had zero issues with LB and honestly, I can save the money and give some of it to local builders if needed.
  • 4 7
 Just because something is made at home does not make it good or good quality by default. My fleet of a warranty replacement Intense frames was evidence of that. The best being the Asian made carbon one that my dad still rides. That same dad might have things to say about his heap of [poo] Dodge. And yes, some home grown UK bike stuff is total tat as well.
Id also hazard that a lot of US manufacturers (granted probs not a tiny bike one) are probably using immigrant workers for which the topic is less than clean in the same way it is in any euro or western country.
So quit with the boring old elitist argument.
  • 2 1
 I only buy NA made bike stuff. Meanwhile everything else I own is made in China.
  • 1 0
 Yea and the walking part doesn’t seem all that entertaining
I mean for 1800 I’d better be rolling on something bro
  • 2 1
 Heavy being the key word here. Why buy these when you can get lighter DT wheels for way less
  • 6 0
 @jdejace: while your not wrong about China. I've never heard this trotted out for western bike brands that produce in China like Santa Cruz. Of course there is low end manufacturing but China is a truly gigantic place and has very high end manufacturing aswell as a case in point look at Winspace. What WAO is doing is incredible with local manufacturing and I think going forward its the future of high end bike industry but to dismiss all Chinese manufacturing as low end/ cheap is truly unfair. Lightbicycle are a direct sales brand and are a bit cheaper because of it. There not really operating the same business model if you want to buy WAO wheels, I'd sooner recommended them because of their environmental commitments over other brands
  • 3 6
 @rory:These are made overseas as far as Im concerned. I live over 4,000 miles from Kamloops and 6,000 from Taiwan. It doesn’t make any difference to me which once they are made in
  • 3 0
 @briain: I didn't say anything about quality. High end Chinese products are as good as or better than anything. Santa Cruz is a perfect example of that. But I'll never give them a penny.
  • 10 0
 The only reason china is now in a position to make not-empty threats against Taiwan, and also the reason its government has really full pockets, is greedy bastards in western countries lining said pockets. It’s pretty obvious that buying stuff by the bucketload from China is funding the gangster regime that controls the country.
It’s a shame we can’t help the people in China without funding the party.
  • 7 11
flag westeast (Nov 24, 2022 at 7:27) (Below Threshold)
 @jdejace: The Canadian government (and most in the west) have become quite tyrannical and openly admit that is their aim (see Trudeau's positive comments of Chinese authoritarianism). That said, I prefer to buy local if possible.
  • 4 0
 LB fanboys coming in hot!
  • 12 0
 @ctd07: So... we shouldn't vote with our dollars against current terrible governments because our own government was shit in the past? That's logical to you, is it?
  • 7 3
 @westeast: You have no idea what you're talking about.
  • 8 2
 @jayacheess: ha ha ha.
No one who is alive today has anything to do with governments of yesteryear.
Its what we do now that counts.
  • 7 6
 @DGWW: omg man just stop. This is a bike website, get over yourself. Whatever device you are using to comment here was made in China. Likely the same for most of your bike components and most of the things in your house. Looks like you voted for killing the world too.
  • 6 7
 @jayacheess: Trudeau: “There is a level of admiration I actually have for China because their basic dictatorship is allowing them to actually turn their economy around on a dime and say we need to go green, we need to start, you know, investing in solar,” Justin Trudeau told the group of women. “There is a flexibility that I know [Prime Minister] Stephen Harper must dream about: having a dictatorship where you can do whatever you wanted, that I find quite interesting.”
  • 8 0
 @ctd07: This is exactly the counter argument that the CCP uses when they are called out for putting an estimated 1.8 million ethnic Uyghurs in internment camps. This is happening today. Lets talk about what countries are doing today, because we can go digging to find equally brutal atrocities that happened in China (or others) at the time of the atrocities towards indigenous people in NA. Its not a useful argument to say "you did bad things 100 years ago, so we should be allowed to do bad things today"
  • 7 1
 @warmerdamj: Same straw man arguments that we saw with the British cycling / shell debate. Still a weak argument.

Before the WTO was opened up to China, it wasn't 'the worlds workshop'.

American companies sent manufacturing to China , but kept the greater profits for themselves, prices didn't go down for the consumer.

A huge number of jobs were lost in the USA / Canada as a result.

The reason that companies like WAO or Kitsbow etc. are important is that they are bringing manufacturing back to the countries where they sell product. This is a big deal because its not easy to do.

Most of us having Chinese made goods in our homes has more to do with availability, you simply can't buy things made in other places (with functioning democracies & workers unions etc ). THATS why its important that companies like WAO or Guerilla Gravity succeed.
  • 6 10
flag warmerdamj FL (Nov 24, 2022 at 11:26) (Below Threshold)
 @DGWW: Honestly, I just don't care about where things are manufactured and I will never pay more just because something is made in North America. I will spend my money on what I perceive as the best combination of price and reliability and in this particular case LB has never failed me and has always cost less than other carbon wheels. I also own a set of Roval carbon wheels, they were heavily discounted and that's the reason I bought them. I don't care where they were made either, I honestly don't even know because it doesn't matter to me.

Sorry man, but I just want cheap carbon wheels.
  • 4 1
 @txcx166: you heard it here forst folks, support Chinese jobs over North American ones lol
  • 2 0
 @EarIysport: they are part of the govt though. You have no idea how business works in China, any business that takes on foreign investment has large tie ins with the government. It's kinda their whole deal.
  • 12 4
 @westeast: You're from Texas. You pay little to no attention to Canadian politics, other than grabbing an out of context quote linked to you by some right-wing US political influencer. You're completely out of your depth and element here and know nothing about what Trudeau has done or not done in Canada.

If you want to worry about a dictatorship, you might want to look closer to home, and keep your eye on some of your conservative federal leadership hopefuls. You're already a flawed democracy. Canada, on the other hand, is one of 21 countries that continues to operate as a full democracy

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Democracy_Index
  • 6 0
 @warmerdamj: No one is suggesting that YOU should buy anything because it is or isn't manufactured in North America. They're trying to get you to acknowledge that other people care about that kind of thing and that's why they're making these purchases.
  • 6 0
 @warmerdamj: You'll still pay, it will just happen in ways you might not be aware of. One example is that China or burma or vietnam are able to produce certain products more cheaply because they aren't hampered by environmental regulation. This lack of regulation really does affect the bottom line, but the tradeoff is that they just dump effluent into the ocean, which kills fish , which eventually means fish costs you more at the grocery store. Same goes for the Air etc. etc. This is globalism 101.
  • 4 1
 @jayacheess: this guy gets it.... applauds your responses which is hard to do on PB.
  • 3 0
 @DGWW: 100% mate. It really does
  • 6 0
 @Jvisscher: hmm like the WR1 CEO being the president of the local bike association, giving away many sets of rims as prizes for local events and organizing countless group rides within the community? Any of those things support trails in the area?
  • 7 0
 @Lone-Wolf-Productions: Yup! And employing good riders who stay in the community and keep the scene even more alive... which attracts even more of the same. Along with LBShops the difference in our community is huge compared to buying online from Taiwan. That's why I bought Da Package, an Arrival and 6 of their rims. And put their stickers on the signs of the trails I build.
  • 3 7
flag westeast (Nov 24, 2022 at 17:27) (Below Threshold)
 @jayacheess: So you see Texas in my profile and apply all the stereotypes, eh? That's not very nice of you ha ha. Anyways, the US is a republic and I would agree we have our tyrants here as well (on both sides of the aisle). I also stand my my comment that Trudeau is a tyrant.
  • 3 0
 @Lone-Wolf-Productions: I should clarify that post. I thought the other guy was saying WR1 doesn't support trails etc. when I quickly read it during work so I thought I was defending them with my comment - especially since I had just talked to Tyler last week about trail building/WR1. He contacted me as soon as he saw the post to clarify. I guess it didn't get voted down into oblivion fast enough and now you are making your voice heard too! Good job. I like those guys.
  • 2 8
flag mgrantorser (Nov 24, 2022 at 18:17) (Below Threshold)
 @westeast: lol. It must be weird having a leader that can crack a joke instead of being one (though honestly biden has done a startlingly decent job) .
  • 2 1
 @rory: Nobl and Light Bicycle are closely linked. Openly they’ve said they are made in the same factory. Light Bicycle also produce rims for other big companies.
Nobl effectively offers a lifetime warranty on Light Bicycle rims.
Just because it’s made overseas doesn’t mean the quality is poor. Majority of your bikes components are made overseas.
Please fact check before making assumptions.
  • 4 1
 @mgrantorser: so are you saying you think Biden can crack a joke and Trudeau is a joke? I’m not following you.
  • 3 1
 @JT-98: that’s not what I said. I want more things made in NA and I have the means and desire to pay more when all other things are equal. I won’t blindly buy crap just because it’s made where I live though. My comment was half joking, but my point is people in china are people just like us. It’s a complicated thing.
  • 1 3
 @txcx166: This guy gets it. Others just take in all the political bullshit that's been going on since imperialism started!
  • 1 2
 @Jvisscher: but they dont
.... so support yourself and go ride and shut up. Kid
  • 1 2
 @DGWW: yeah... and your bike is made in..... China bruh lol
  • 1 0
 @MtlWoodworker: you came across as rude in your post. Care to clarify?
  • 4 2
 @o-man: Fact check a random PB comment? Haha. Umm...no thanks, man. It's a opinion, not a news article. I'm not going to get into the weeds with all the Lightbike fanboys here, but for my stated reasons and MANY others made clear here by multiple other posters, I'd much rather support a fantastic, homegrown Canadian company than try save a bit of cash buying from a company in a country unfortunately goverened by one of the world's most oppresive regimes. Sure, it's not always possible (especially in the world of biking) but I do think you should do what you can, when you can.

The quality comment I made was an afterthought, hence the (likely)...so all the keyboard warriors clamouring for their "show me the science" need to get over it. Seriously...you want some scholarly links to peer reviewed journals while I'm at it?? If you don't agree with me, good for you. My original post was to highlight why one rim cost more than another, which I and many others have clarified. If you don't want to listen to any of it and want to keep waving the lightbike flag, great.

But yeah, I do think Weareone is (VERY likely) better quality. Everyone on Team LB can continue losing their collective minds now! Haha Smile
  • 1 1
 @rory: everything all good at home buddy? Bit of built up stress.
  • 3 1
 @rory:
"goverened by one of the world's most oppresive regimes."
Which is why I wouldn't buy WAO wheels personally.
Your government quite literally revoked the human rights of people that didn't toe the line.
Seizure of assets, illegal detainment, full on stasi shit.
Not putting a single dollar in the pockets of tyrants if I can avoid it, I would rather quit biking than compromise on this.
  • 2 0
 @Losvar: It’s a real worry staring down the barrel of a cashless society.
  • 1 2
 @Losvar: people shut down an entire city, and got warned for a long time they would be moved. Their rights were never Infringed, protesting in canada has regulations, most canadians don't know that so I couldn't expect someone else from outside to.
  • 2 2
 @JT-98: what an absolute idiotic comment, just about everything you said is entirely wrong…wouldn’t even known where to begin but if the simple fact that hearing from a complete random dude from another country calling out all the wrong in your own country doesn’t wake you up on the fact that perhaps something IS wrong with Canada, I dont know what will.Two things, first, get off the corrupted main stream medias, if you still haven’t figured that out, youre a lost cause…Second,go back and watch the entire EA inquiry, not the crap youve seen on CBC, WATCH THE REAL THING…IS ALL THERE, IN PLAIN SIGHT…And don't tell me you have cause you clearly havent…you rights WERE infringed and youre an embarrassment for your own country when posting sh1t like that..Get educated or stfu
  • 2 0
 @neroleeloo: Yeah, definitely get off mainstream media. Seems like the woke crowd gets on a bandwagon and start rolling downhill with speed and gains momentum. You mention CBC, I'll add Global News to that since they seem to be and try to be the mainstream but has a lot of redneck viewers similar to what the Fox has done in the US. All these mainstreamers seem to be polarized by shock and awe news. When there is no enemy, they will create one. Just like on Global National the other day when all you can hear is Donna Friesen (or whoever that Karen is) keeps pestering Trudeau asking "Is China an enemy". It's like STFU bitch - there is no enemy and Canada does not want to make enemies and I'm sure 90% of Canadians don't want to go to war over political bullshit. Even though I dislike Trudeau, he's smart enough to know the news media is digging up shit when there is none because they know the mainstreamers loves to gobble up shit like that.
  • 1 0
 @CSharp: if you need justification for this criticism of China , don't just look to Canadian media , talk to folks in the Philippines, japan , Singapore etc - they are closer neighbors and you'll find compelling reason to be cautious/ critical of the CCP
  • 84 1
 These should be on every new mom's Christmas wishlist #reducednipplefatigue
  • 1 0
 Moreso Sugar Mommy’s
  • 70 4
 The main benefit of carbon rims are, that they do not bend and therefore stay longer true. This fact leads in my case to less maintenance and that is worth the price. I will never go back.
  • 14 7
 best investment/upgrade you can make to a bike
  • 11 4
 I've destroyed so many aluminum wheels... and frames for that matter. Carbon is worth the price, at least for me.
  • 9 0
 Having gotten used to truing my wheels pretty much after every ride (looking at you stans, mavic) changing to carbon rims was mind blowing in a way. After trying a bunch of wheels I genuinely did not believe it was possible for me to cycle back home and not notice a new buckle. Ride after ride they just kept true. (It was Enve rims)
  • 6 25
flag goroncy (Nov 24, 2022 at 0:47) (Below Threshold)
 And that is probably why like 1% of pro enduro and DH riders ride carbon wheels. What you wrote has no anchor in reality. Carbon is ONLY viable for most people because they are gentle with their bikes. Try some harder trails in the Alps or alike. Your carbon will last there 2 hours of decent shredding.
  • 3 3
 @goroncy: Gotta agree here, if your rim explodes in bikepark, you have to walk a bit and you're fine. When the same happens up there far away in Alps you're hours of walk deep in shit. Easier to fix bent than broken.

Also, can't really say it was caused by too much stiffness using carbon rims, cranks and bars, but I had a bit harsh ride feeling getting too much vibration and feedback from the bike.
No reason to pay more than buying DT
  • 16 2
 @goroncy: say all that to some of the BC Squamish boys like Steve vanderhoek, Matt Bolton, motomax who ride weareone CARBON wheels. I'm sure they baby their wheels on all those sea to sky features.
  • 3 2
 And tubeless tires with inserts. Bent rims, blown tires very rarely creep into my rides anymore. Almost a daily occurrence prior. It's gotten to a point where I am a bit annoyed when someone I am riding with show up with aluminium and tubes as I know the North Shore will eat it up.
  • 40 1
 Im incredibly jealous of anyone who has nipple fatigue to be honest.
  • 7 1
 Sounds interesting when nipples, twisted, and fatigue all converge on one sentence!
  • 5 4
 @mikelevy here's your comment gold.
  • 1 0
 Just give a breast pump a go
  • 1 0
 To be honest, I can't remember the last time a woman commented on Pinkbike and comments like this reinforce my suspicion that PB commenters are 99.9% male.
  • 1 0
 I snapped 3 nips in 3 months does that qualify?
  • 2 0
 I don't know, remember the fun run episode from the office?
  • 29 0
 Will it still be possible to buy WAO wheels with Onyx hubs? I love silence
  • 4 0
 I wonder about this too.
Side question: is Onyx the only silent hub?
  • 7 0
 You can do it through Fanatik Bike Co on their custom wheel builder. That's what I did
  • 8 1
 @InstantBreakfast: You can do it right through WAOs website and its probably cheaper than through fanatik. I found fanatiks wheel builder option to be pretty expensive.
  • 7 1
 @CarbonShmarbon: they are releasing before year end I believe. Also Vancouver BC developed
www.pinkbike.com/news/tairin-wheels-announces-their-silent-mugen-hub.html
  • 4 0
 @CarbonShmarbon: I was wondering the same thing and found this: www.tairinwheels.ca/silent-hub-technicals

Never heard about it but the price is definitely interesting... !
  • 4 1
 @nismo325: If you run through the builder on Fanatik and add the wheels to your cart you'll see the final price and its right in line with WA1's pricing. At Fanatik you have more hub options too. Direct through WA1 you can only do black Hydra hubs right now. So if silence and Onyx are preferred combo Fanatik is the spot to get some wheels
  • 3 1
 @CarbonShmarbon: project321 is almost silent...i love mine
  • 2 1
 @CarbonShmarbon: my XTR goes silent past 10 km/h, not sure a bug or a feature since afaik Shimano ditched the idea, but I just love it.
  • 3 0
 @iiman: I had XT wheels before moving the WAO and the hub sound cutting in and out at low speeds drove me nuts. But the silence when it was there was glorious. Queue Onyx hubs on the WAO wheels.
  • 2 0
 @iiman: it’s a feature, but the creaking is a bug! They are the hub that encourages you to do regular hub maintenance
  • 1 0
 Check Wheelsbyimby.ca - local (BC) custom wheels
  • 3 0
 @LuvAZ
@CarbonShmarbon

I checked out a Factor rear hub at my lbs and they're amongst the quieter options and cost a little less than Onyx + P321.

My P321 was also super quiet with the freehub oil topped off.

I wonder if you can just ship WAO your hubs of preference for a build? Might be worth an inquiry.
  • 4 0
 @tkrug: lol I had one SLX hub blow up on the second ride but my other ones been going strong and creaking for 2 years. Lol
  • 4 0
 @WasatchEnduro: WAO also seems to be happy to set your LBS up as a dealer. I really wanted WAO rims and my favorite local shop didn't carry them, but from my understanding it didn't take much more than a single email for them to set up an account with WAO. I had a Strife built onto the DT350 hub I wanted, got to support my local wheelbuilder and shop, and now people in town know they can get WAO from that shop. If I have any issues or need a warranty replacement, I'm dealing with my local shop down the street, which is worth something to me.
  • 1 0
 @nismo325: yeah that shit is a rip
  • 5 0
 @CarbonShmarbon: I have my WAO's on hydras but I use that special grease I9 recommends to silence them. A few months in and they're still nearly silent. Not 100%, but about as loud as a really cheap quiet economy hub. Highly recommend if you're wanting silence and build quality of i9.
  • 1 0
 Just take whatever hub you have and pack way too much grease in it.
  • 2 1
 @CarbonShmarbon: DT Swiss with grease is pretty damn quiet, even with a more open cassette like an X01
  • 2 0
 @CarbonShmarbon: Tairin wheels is apparently about to release one
www.tairinwheels.ca/silent-hub-technicals
  • 1 0
 @CarbonShmarbon:

boxcomponents.com/products/box-one-stealth-boost-rear-hub-32h?variant=37302919757991

www.vitalmtb.com/features/SILENT-INSTANT-New-BOX-Stealth-Hubs,2939
  • 2 0
 @westeast: Those Box hubs have yet to become really available. I was invited to their debut webinar back in 2020. They have not been in stock since then from what I've seen! So at this point I wouldn't hold my breath. I owned a set of the True Precision made Stealth hubs though, and those were actually really nice.
  • 1 0
 @privateer-wheels: Thanks for the info. I have one of these hubs on my sons bmx bike, but wasn't aware the mtb ones are not available.
  • 3 0
 @krau: love my wao, but honestly i think the hydras are duds. Im a big dude (110kg) but ive been through 3 freehubs and one hub shell. Theyre flex to engage is meh if you put down a ton of torque, and their drive rings threads are way too shallow to be going into alloy (says my freewheeling drivering). DT is to date the only hub I havent killed, though i havent used the new ratchet exp.
  • 1 0
 @mgrantorser: what else have you tried besides DT?

I've broken two Hydra axle shells (I'm 85kg but mean to my toys). I've got a custom steel one in there now from Pinner that won't break and I might also try I9's recent redesign. So I'm good on axle shells which is the common weak link and otherwise like the fast engagement.

If I break a freehub though I'm done. So I'm curious what else you've managed to break. I'd rather buy a North American manufactured product. Tried Hadley or Chris King?
  • 1 0
 @mgrantorser: dang that sucks! Glad you found something that works for you. Yeah the internals definitely don't scream "Clydesdale friendly" as they're quite light and not overbuilt looking.
  • 19 2
 weren't their rims practically indestructible before they made them 32% stronger?
  • 68 1
 They're now 32% indestructibler.
  • 12 0
 Nope. I've seen a couple dead WAO rims in the past couple years but the warranty works.
  • 4 1
 theradavist.com/ride-the-rainbow-industry-nines-new-carbon-rims-by-we-are-one-composites

Not quite, see the update at the end of the article.
  • 7 0
 @Baciatutti: Flat tire lol
  • 5 0
 I've smoked Qty 2 Unions in the last 2 years - only 150 lbs, but do very disrespectful things to my bicycles and really like riding rocks and tech. That said, they were a breeze to work with on replacement both times and only had to pay for shipping. It's a sick insurance policy.
  • 6 9
 Lmao not at all. I’ve seen so many of theese blow up
  • 9 0
 @freeridejerk888: How many is 'so many'?
  • 1 0
 I've broken an Agent and a Union (just the other day) and I'm only 155lbs, but I think I just got unlucky, and they're super easy to warranty. Maybe I'll get one of these as a replacement, fingers crossed!
  • 3 1
 @jayacheess: 6? The other most failed rim I’ve seen was the old entry level (tsr?) e13 rim.
  • 4 3
 @Nwilkes: WAO rims look so rad and made in NA but almost everyone I know who has them has cracked them. This is a massive list of 4 people, but makes me hesitate.
  • 1 0
 i've cracked 3 so far, but 3 easy warranties later i'm still happy
  • 3 0
 @olslash: This.

I know a bunch of people who've cracked WAO rims. If they had been on aluminum rims, they would have broken in the same situation. The difference is all of them got new rims for free and were riding within a few days (thanks to some amazing local shops). I think all the guys I know who broke them were on Union rims and all upgraded to Strife (dh) rims at no cost.
  • 1 0
 @jsnfschr: yep agreed that my 2 dingers would have destroyed alloy as well. I should have thought about replacing it with Strife, dang...
  • 1 0
 @jsnfschr: yup! I started on an agent and worked my way up to a strife one by one, ha
  • 2 0
 Nope. I broke three Unions, within 8 weeks. They upgraded me to a Strife for free. No issues since then.
  • 17 0
 I am on year 4 of never touching my WAO union wheels for maintenance or replacement with plenty of life left.
  • 11 0
 you should probably clean and grease the free hub at least
  • 14 3
 That price is pretty competitive on the complete set.
  • 6 2
 SC reserve who?
  • 1 0
 @whiteranger3: I love the reserve wheels. I understand that broken rim = new WHEEL from my shop. Not new rim. And they're in stock. Had my current set 2 years of 200 rides / yr in Squamish and not broken one yet. They lack the local connection but great value in the long run.
  • 1 0
 @slowerthanmydentist: yea that’s fair, I prefer the made in NA nature of WAO though. But definitely hard to pass up a new wheel instead of a new rim.
  • 3 5
 @whiteranger3: you do realize the factories in Taiwan are so much better and more experienced at working with carbon than a company that’s only been around a few years? Just becasue Tesla is doing somthing new doesn’t mean they are built better than Toyota
  • 10 0
 Gahhh!!! I just ordered a set of Unions last week. Time to throw them in the trash as they are now useless!
  • 4 0
 Lol, I had an invoice for union/strife build I hadn’t payed yet. I guess being a procrastinator has finally payed off
  • 13 0
 That's clearly the right move. On a completely unrelated note, where's the dumpster you think you might be throwing them in?
  • 8 1
 We Are One are among the few carbon outfits in the bicycle industry that I respect (others include Time, Matt Appleman, CarbonWasp). I make carbon stuff ( www.regular.bike ) and the one thing I found was critical in making a competitive strength-to-mass carbon part is by keeping ILSS or InterLaminar Shear Strength as high as possible. The ways to do this (assuming that *all* your other variables are well in place) are by using toughened resins and by using special between-layers like what is being covered here. Good choice here as usual WAO, y'all know what's what.
  • 4 0
 Interesting. Do you have somewhere to see your custom saddles and bars?
  • 6 0
 The ZRT film actually looks one of the more practical uses for recycled thermoplastic carbon I've seen. I'm happy to see use of recycled carbon in proper layups and not just in compression molded chopped fiber components like tire levers.
  • 11 0
 Twisting my melon, man.
  • 5 0
 Call the cops
  • 7 0
 I hope they keep their lower priced wheelsets as well. I think that's what made WAO so popular: awesome wheels at a good price ($1300). Now, approaching $2k, I'd probably look elsewhere.
  • 37 1
 We got your back. The Revolution ain't dead. See the new pricing to support an amazing wheelset at an even better pricepoint. www.weareonecomposites.com/revolution
  • 3 1
 @WeAreOne: Word!
  • 4 0
 Now hopefully they can have our back with a not wireless drivetrain Arrival build. Not that I'm a wireless hater, I just don't have that kind of money Frown
  • 1 0
 @WeAreOne: will there be an option to upgrade to the latest model with warranty claims?

eg I break one of my Unions, I get either the Union replaced for free or a Triad for $75usd (whatever seems fair, that's the retail price difference as an example)
  • 4 1
 @DizzyNinja: A lot of spec is based on current world availability. The frame option allows you to build an Arrival in any fashion that you wish.
  • 9 0
 @jdejace: Just like owners of the original Movement line that wanted to update to a Revolution rim (think Union, Strife, etc), there was a modest upgrade fee. You can expect this same option to be available.
  • 1 0
 @WeAreOne: Did they just go on sale? I bought a Union rim on Friday, and paid the full $475... Wish I had known
  • 1 0
 @WeAreOne: I will hop on this when it’s available!
  • 1 0
 @ChanceFuller: Send them an email. I bet they'll work with you on it.
  • 1 0
 @ChanceFuller: Call them up or email them
  • 3 0
 I'd REALLY love to see the 28mm internal width offered in a 27.5 option. I just bought a Strife for the rear of my enduro bike, but it squares out the profile of my Michelin tires much more than my EX471's did. I'm willing to deal with that to have a rim that (hopefully) doesn't explode, but I sure wish it was narrower.
  • 5 0
 The Unions were pretty bombproof based on reviews, why not use the new tech to make the wheel 32% lighter and just as strong as the Unions?
  • 1 0
 Because lifetime warranty
  • 2 0
 I’ve got WAO strifes on my enduro bike, they’ve lived a life before I owned them (raced hardline, and a season of EWS under a full time pro)

Both original rims, both true, no cracks, no problems.

Says it all, would buy again without hesitation.
  • 4 1
 By the time these come to Europe, they will cost as much as a Volk TE37 each. Bikes are way too expensive nowadays. Sure, it's a hobby and hobbies are bottomless pits, but still.
  • 3 1
 Love watching a great rider in slo mo so composed but seeing the chain flop around so you know how hard the suspension is working. Such a good choice of shots to show the crap wheels are expected to endure. Also, thanks everyone for chiming in on their experiences with WAO. Will be my next wheelset.
  • 1 0
 Why does every post have to involve politics. Bike nerds want to talk about bikes. Having said that. The new convergence rims are fantastic. Not light but built to last. Nobody wants that walk of shame and no need for inserts.
  • 11 6
 Reduce nipple fatigue? Just be honest - you did it because it looks cool.
  • 4 2
 While it does certainly look cool, it's a pretty neat feature from a wheel building standpoint.
  • 4 0
 I swear this rim was designed after this wall design
en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Crinkle_crankle_wall
  • 2 1
 all I know is I want those...like more than I wanted the unions (which I really wanted). Amazing company. In a dream state, I would get these and they would come attached to an Arrival 170mm...and Strava wouldn't know what hit it
  • 3 0
 Nice video guys. Love seeing the slow motion under pressure and the skills of Jonny ripping it hard. I love my We Are Ones. Good job to the team at WR1
  • 3 2
 FFS I just bought a pair of WAO assuming I got the new rims since I'd heard about them in March... And they are only really launching now... I'm disappointed. Yes, I should have read up on it first and doublechecked. But six months... F***
  • 2 0
 Hey man don't sweat it! The previous lineups are phenomenal still!
  • 3 0
 So the Sector XC wheelset would come in at >1800g... Probably a pretty tough wheel but not something I'm gonna slap on my XC bike
  • 1 0
 WAO really done make anything for XC that I’ve seen. Even the Factions I have on my Stumpy, which are 38 spokes with DT Swiss 350’s are like 1650 grams.
  • 1 0
 Edit 28 spokes
  • 2 0
 I think you're looking at the wrong wheelset. The 28mm Sector looks like the replacement for the 27mm Faction, they are pretty beefy trail wheels. It doesn't seem WAO have made a new XC wheel but you can get the older Revive (at a discount now) which is meant for XC. It's 345g for a 29in rim, shouldn't be too hard to get a set under 1500g.
  • 1 0
 Personally I don't care where things are made if quality and attention to detail are maintained, I own Yeti's, Ibis,and Pivot bikes all of which are made in China or Taiwan, I think We Are One are doing a good thing in developing a brand locally and employing local people, would it make a difference to me living in the UK if they're made in Canada or China, absolutely not, does it.make a difference to Canadians,possibly.
  • 1 0
 So 32% more impact resistance than the Unions, which were also more impact resistant than the Agents.

But, any idea how much more/less impact resistant the Convergence rims are than the Strife?
  • 2 0
 Heavy, expensive, strong, low maintenance, all valid arguments. There's too much slowmo in this video. Make it shorter, or reduce the amount of slowmo. Rims look good.
  • 1 0
 It's a short video already lol. And the slow motion is to showcase the wheels taking huge hard hits.
  • 4 1
 no mention as to why they just laid off a bunch of staff from their Kamloops HQ?
  • 4 0
 I want WAO rims, Berd Spokes, and Onyx Hubs
  • 1 0
 You are not alone. Which Hubs, classic or vesper? I
  • 1 0
 @kwmtrumpet: oh, vesper for sure
  • 1 0
 Perfect video to show how
Breaking bumps are made ……. Now let’s drop the tyres to normal pressures and re shoot the vid


Also “ahhhh damn I dinged my rim - oh wait no i didn’t “
  • 15 11
 Damn these are heavy
  • 4 3
 We r one just dropped the mic. I have the Union wheels and those things have been bulletproof. As close to maintenance free as you can get. Good job guys
  • 5 2
 Too heavy for a mic drop. These are literally a pound heavier than the Berd rims that were announced yesterday. I'm sure they are fine if your only concern for carbon rims is strength and lack of maintenance. Options are great but it's not like these check all the boxes.
  • 2 1
 @yupstate: Berd wheels save a majority of their weight in the spokes. 32 spokes weighs around 200g depending on length.
  • 5 1
 @yupstate:

Pretty sure WAO makes the Berd rims Wink
  • 1 0
 @yupstate: berd is probably lighter than most wheelsets because of the spokes. Not really a fair comparison.
  • 1 0
 @birdman2447: Wink
  • 2 0
 @yupstate: berdspokes.com/collections/berd-wheels/products/berd-hawk27-carbon-wheels

Same hands make both.
  • 1 0
 @JT-98: Not a knock on the brand, so no justification needed. if WAO had their own wheelset that was at a more competitive weight like 16-1700g that would be great too. My point was just that you can't do a mic drop when there's compromises. You are just providing an option for folks that don't care about heavy rims.
  • 3 1
 Still on my Agents with Onyx from 2018 and still going strong. I need an excuse to buy these.
  • 1 0
 It means a lot when there is a post about a carbon rim manufacturer and the comments aren't rife with complaints. Should get me some of these
  • 1 0
 @mikekazimer when you say you have a "Triad" wheelset do you mean that both the front and back are 30mm width? Is the front 28h and rear 32h? Thanks!
  • 2 1
 That's correct - these are the wheels: www.pinkbike.com/photo/23718025.
  • 1 1
 @mikekazimer: Thanks just deciding on 28mm rear vs 30mm rear width (WAO spec 30mm 28h front and 28mm 32h rear on their Arrivals) and am leaning toward the 30mm rear as I usually run a 2.4-2.5" on the rear and had no issues with a set of Reserve 30's, thanks!
  • 1 0
 If you had the choice of one wheel being carbon and one alloy,(long story) which end of the bike would benefit the most to have a carbon wheel installed front or back?
  • 3 0
 Back for durability and less spoke tension faff. Front for buttery alloy feel letting the wheel better mold to surfaces and grip.
  • 2 1
 why arent the spokes routed through the headset? apparently its supposed to increase attractiveness when they insert things in the top...
  • 5 3
 595g for the 30mm rim is a typo?
  • 6 2
 Yep, that should be 505 grams. It's fixed now.
  • 1 0
 Noticed that too, would be strange that the fuse 33 ended up lighter in 29”
  • 3 1
 Sweet, just after I bought a new set of Unions I havent even rode yet.
  • 5 0
 welcome to the bike industry ha!
  • 6 0
 the Unions are bomb proof....these being 32% stronger won't be noticeable, enjoy what you have
  • 2 0
 Send it to hambini for evaluation m
  • 2 0
 I have to say naming a rim after Asian organized crime is brilliant!
  • 2 0
 Sector 28 in a 24 hole please
  • 1 0
 So, how could they manage to get them 30mm inner width with the smallest wheel is 28mm wide?
  • 1 0
 Question...
Is this image mirrored? www.pinkbike.com/photo/23718030
  • 1 0
 Cos if not, technically that rim is drilled wrong. Not that this really causes any issues, it'd just be an odd thing to do.
  • 1 0
 Oh wait nah, lol. I was looking at it wrong.
  • 3 5
 Assuming the old rims were considered strong enough by WAO then why do the new ones need to be heavier and stronger than the old ones? Sounds like over eager marketing speak to me. As far as I can tell these are more expensive and heavier than the old rims. I dont see that as progress in the right direction
  • 1 0
 Could not be more proud of this crew, science and tech I can understand AND looks awesome and Canadian! 5 gold stars WAO.
  • 1 0
 WAO!!!!! Now that is quite the innovation and will definitely be looking at these on my next ride!
  • 1 0
 who uses carbon rims nowadays when you can get the fr541 for a fraction of the price and is pretty much indestructible
  • 1 0
 I'd love to see how the sound effects guy achieved that result!!
  • 1 0
 That video made me feel like the rider was parting the earth like Moses!!
  • 1 0
 Yup fast and loose, great riding
  • 1 0
 That was some really impressive/sick riding on the video!!!!
  • 5 3
 Super heavy
  • 7 5
 Overpriced and heavy.
  • 1 0
 Amazing wheels. And their bike is fantastic.
  • 1 0
 We are 100 dollars more than our last version?
  • 1 0
 What about fixing the crazy chain?
  • 1 0
 Does anyone else do something similar with aluminum?
  • 2 2
 DT Swiss XM 481 aluminum rims weigh in at 525 grams and cost around $120?
  • 1 0
 These look incredible
  • 1 4
 Come on, WAO. Everyone's doing string spokes. Come back when you're serious.
  • 1 0
 
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