ENVE

M635 Industry Nine Torch 29in Boost Wheelset

Whether we're upgrading our current steed, or building our dream trail bike from the ground up, we've got a set of boxes that need to be ticked. Firs, keeping weight to a minimum is a priority, followed by snappy hubs that engage quickly, and stiff power that doesn't flex under pressure. ENVE's original M60 Forty HV wheels left little to be desired in an all-purpose trail shredding wheelset, but we still craved a little more rim width for a boost of traction, and the M60's didn't quite cut it. The ENVE M635 Industry Nine Torch 29in Boost Wheelset takes the best attributes of the original M-Series and bumps up the internal rim width from 26mm to a substantial 35mm perfectly, pairing it with larger volume tires ranging from 2.5 to 2.8-inches wide, and when paired with the I9 hubs you can count on them for speedy engagement for instantaneous power. Torch hubs offer 120-points of engagement for three degrees of possible rotation before engagement — this translates to power that propels you forward just about the instant you put the hammer on the pedals

The M635 looks to the M7 and M9 wheelsets for the proper laminates to arm the aggressive trail rider with a capable wheelset to send it, but still wants something to efficiently climb into remote locations. The M635 is built for the same trail abuse as the M630, but comes in slightly heavier due to the increased width. Again, if you are looking to outfit your trail bike with wider 2.5 to 2.8-inch tires, these are the wheels you want. The newly redesigned wider hookless bead is both lighter and more impact resistant than the hookless beads that first appeared on the original MSeries. Additionally, the increased girth provides for a better buffer when the tire bottoms out, preventing the dreaded tire pinch flat. The 35mm of internal width allows for a large footprint that increases cornering stability and puts more tread to the trail at any given time.

All ENVE wheels, including this M635 utilizes patented manufacturing techniques building a strong, stable wheel that is ready to get rowdy out of the box and throughout its lifetime. ENVE's trademarked process of molding in-spoke holes, nipple seats, and valve holes is largely responsible for its proven reputation of creating wheels boasting one of the highest strength-to-weight ratios in the industry. ENVE molds carbon fibers around each hole to maintain continuous fiber integrity rather than drilling after curing, which results in increased rim rigidity, lower weight at the spoke face and superior spoke alignment.

This system also affords higher and more uniform spoke tension, keys to building true and long lasting wheels. Additionally, ENVE's build process removes the inner bladder, resulting in lower weight and a better balanced wheel compared to the many composite manufacturers who simply leave the rim-shaping, inflatable bladder in the rim once it's complete. The removal process is tedious, but it results in a lighter rim and the additional attention to detail is nice.

The rim is certainly the highlight here but other details are also worth mentioning. First, the wheels are built under one roof in Ogden, UT to exacting standards for the longevity you’d expect out of a class-leading wheel manufacture. Second, the wider, boost spaced hubs make for sure tracking up front and increased responsiveness out of the rear of the bike. On this particular model, the M635 rim is laced up neatly to I9's Torch hub. The Torch has held ground as one of the quickest engaging, and most powerful hubs in I9's lineup, with 120 points of engagement that offer just three degrees of possible rotation before they engage. This snappy engagement is achieved by combining six phased pawl that fit to a 60-tooth hub body so that at any point three pawls are engaged, propelling you forward at lightning speed.