Industry Nine

Trail S 270 29in Boost Wheelset

The new, laser-etched graphics of the Trail S 270 29in Boost Wheelset can be distracting, and we admit, they look good. But if you look further, this wheelset packs a lot of technical prowess behind its pretty face. It’s another iteration of the Trail rim line, and Industry Nine is still pushing the envelope with wider rims that deliver stability and a blend of materials that balance the need for low weight with strength and durability requirements.

With the yearning for wider tires echoing across the market, it was only natural for innovators at I9 to push the rim width of the much-loved Trail245 outward, stretching to a 27mm internal, so that riders can equip themselves with the beefier tires they crave. This wider internal rim allows for a shorter and more tapered bead wall, which improves flat resistance and overall tire strength. The wide internals extend the recommended tire size from a 2.2-inch all the way to wide-trail 2.5-inch tires. This makes for a plusher ride; with the ability to run lower tire pressures to soak up roots and rocks, and keep you planted when you roll a little too fast into a loose berm.

The high-performance alloy construction does pack on a bit more weight than the ever-trending carbon rims you see on the trail; however, this nominal weight addition makes for a price reduction that would be next-to-impossible with carbon fiber in the mix. It provides enough rigidity for efficient power transfer, yet flexes slightly to help absorb chatter—delivering a smooth, predictable response as you ride.

This version of the Trail 270 is part of Industry Nine’s Steel-Series, which employs its all-new hub design: the Torch S-series. This hubset features straight-pull steel spokes, which enhance lateral stiffness with a maximized spoke-bracing angle. Tangential lacing increases durability over time, since the opposing spoke forces take most of the stress off the hub flanges. The Torch S-series hubs use three A2 tool steel pawls and a 60-tooth drivering, which provide exceptional power transfer and strength. S-series hubs are upgradable to Industry Nine’s existing 6-pawl freehubs (sold separately) as well as components throughout the Torch Mountain line so customization and replacement parts are easy to access.