Industry Nine Grade 300 V2

    The Industry Nine Grade 300 V2 wheels are crafted from a high-grade aluminum alloy, including I9’s signature oversized spokes, ensuring a perfect balance between strength and weight.

    Industry Nine Grade 300 V2 Wheel Review

    Words by Skylar Hinkley | Photos by Cierra Coppock

    Asheville, North Carolina is a city where nature’s grandeur meets human ingenuity. Located in the heart of the Blue Ridge Mountains, this community thrives on pushing boundaries in craft brewing, the arts, and outdoor gear innovation.

    Designed and manufactured in Asheville, the Industry Nine Grade 300 V2 wheels embody the city’s dedication to high-quality, durable products. With a focus on performance and resilience, the Grade 300 V2 wheelset brings the best of Asheville’s craftsmanship to the world of mountain biking, offering riders everywhere a taste of the city’s commitment to adventure and precision.

    Right out of the box, the Grade 300 V2 wheelset impresses with its striking looks and confident character. The wheels are crafted from a high-grade aluminum alloy, including I9’s signature oversized spokes, ensuring a perfect balance between strength and weight. The sleek anodized finishes add protection against the elements and allow for some fun options to customize your build. By choosing from 11 different spoke and hub colors and by having the option to select each spoke color individually, the creative possibilities are endless.

    Designed and manufactured in Asheville, NC the Industry Nine Grade 300 V2 wheels are an example of high-quality, durable products.
    The Grade 300 V2 comes with I9’s proprietary HYDRA hub mechanism. The hubs provide quick engagement and a smooth ride.
    The wheels have a sleek anodized finish that adding protection and color options to customize your build.
    These wheels feature a new Hollow Bead Wall that increases pinch flat protection and impact resistance. I9 widened the bead wall by 78% and hollowed it out.

    Speaking of hubs, the Grade 300 V2 comes standard with I9’s proprietary HYDRA hub mechanism. This innovative design promises quick engagement and a smooth ride, making tackling technical trails and navigating challenging terrain easier. The 690 points of engagement mean that power transfer is almost instantaneous, giving you an edge when you need it most.

    Made for the most demanding mountain biking disciplines, these wheels feature a new Hollow Bead Wall that greatly increases pinch-flat protection and impact resistance. By widening the bead wall by 78% and hollowing it out, I9 was able to achieve a 66% reduction in deformation from impacts.

    I found installing tires on the Grade 300 V2 rims to be straightforward. The fit of the Continental tires with downhill casings I used in this test was snug. While they were a bit challenging to wrestle over the bead wall, this is to be expected with tires such as these, that feature the thickest sidewall option. Once on, I had the strong sense they would not come off, even in the harshest of riding scenarios.

    The Grade 300 V2 maintains its shape and responsiveness carving through tight corners or bombing down descents. The stiffness translates to precise handling.
    The 30mm internal width provides a stable platform for wider tires, enhancing traction and braking performance.

    Taking the Grade 300 V2 wheelset out on the trail, it’s clear that these wheels are built for control. The 30-millimeter internal width provides a stable platform for wider tires, enhancing traction and braking performance. This is particularly noticeable on loose or rocky terrain, where the added stability significantly affects handling and confidence.

    Another highlight is the wheels’ lateral stiffness. Whether carving through tight corners or bombing down descents, the Grade 300 V2 maintains its shape and responsiveness. This stiffness translates to precise handling, allowing you to place your bike exactly where you want it, even at high speeds.

    I remember my first ride with the Grade 300 V2 wheelset vividly. It was a crisp morning, and the trails were a mix of everything—from smooth, flowing sections to technical rock gardens. I had just swapped out my old wheels and was eager to see how these new ones would perform. As soon as I hit the trail, I felt an immediate difference. The bike seemed to respond quicker to pedal input and felt extremely sure-footed.

    Installing tires on the Grade 300 V2 rims to be straightforward. The fit of the Continental tires with downhill casings I used in this test was snug. While they were a bit challenging to wrestle over the bead wall, this is to be expected with tires such as these, that feature the thickest sidewall option.
    I9 offers 11 spoke and hub colors and the option to select each spoke color individually.
    The HYDRA hub is designed with 690 points of engagement, meaning power transfer is almost instantaneous.

    At one point, I encountered a particularly gnarly section filled with square-edged rocks and roots. Usually, I would slow down considerably, but with the Grade 300 V2 wheels, I felt confident enough to maintain my speed. The wheels absorbed the impacts beautifully, and I navigated through without a hitch. At that moment, I was reminded just how much a good set of wheels can improve your ride.

    Whether tackling technical descents, navigating rocky terrain, or enjoying a smooth section of trail between the madness, the Grade 300 V2 wheels deliver the performance and reliability you need for gravity-fueled riding. Investing in these wheels means investing in the quality and craftsmanship that Industry Nine is known for, ensuring that your rides are as thrilling and enjoyable as the trails themselves.

    MSRP: $1,430 USD

    Learn More: https://industrynine.com/wheels/mountain/grade-300-v2