The most important facts in brief

The Hydra hub has undergone a massive overhaul. The 65 percent thicker axle is designed to withstand higher forces. The same applies to the larger pawls and their counterpart, the drive ring, which is made of stronger steel. The hubs are approved for downhill and E-MTB use. New seals and larger industrial bearings are designed to reduce friction and increase durability. The front and rear rims differ in their design, which Industry Nine calls the "Duo Concept". The front rim is wider and should be more compliant, while the rear rim should be able to withstand harder impacts thanks to a different carbon layup.

First impression

The thick aluminium spokes, which perfectly match the color of the hub, give the wheelset a cool look. The fibers shimmer through the carbon rims and they look very high-quality. Only the decals look a little thick and don't seem to have a very high adhesive force. But perhaps the very smooth surface of the rim also reduces the grip.

When fitting the tires, it takes a bit of manual force towards the end to get them over the flange. A tire insert, the Air-Liner Light from Vittoria, was to be used on the rear wheel. However, this caused increased resistance during fitting. It was not possible to mount the last ten centimetres of the tire with it. To avoid damage to the carbon rim, robust metal tire levers were not used for mounting. However, the plastic levers could not withstand the high forces. The wheelset was therefore mounted without inserts. The tubeless setup itself went smoothly and the wheels were tight straight away.

In use

The tight freehub gearing of 0.41 degrees ensures propulsion at the slightest pressure on the pedals. The immediate engagement means that acceleration out of corners is unique. This is supported by the smooth-running hubs, allowing you to ride over roots and stones with plenty of momentum. When cruising, the hub hums pleasantly and lets you know that a precise and high-quality freewheel is in use. In direct comparison with wheels with steel or textile spokes, the Hydras have noticeably lower damping properties. However, despite their high stiffness, they do not feel harsh on rough terrain. They give a little more vibration and feedback from the ground, but are not bulky in tight berms and ensure precise steering.

Conclusion

The Hydra 2 is a stiff wheelset that is neither bumpy nor harsh. It ensures precise steering behavior and the highlights are clearly the immediate engagement of the freewheel and the low friction properties. After six months of testing, the rims have a few purely cosmetic scratches and the stickers no longer hold up so well, but the rest is in perfect condition.

Recommendation

The robust construction is ideal for anyone who exposes the wheelset to higher loads due to a hard gait, heavy body weight or intensive e-bike use. If you want to pimp your bike in color, Industry Nine offers almost endless color combinations.

Price: CHF 2755.- / EUR 2020.-

Manufacturer

www.industrynine.com
www.rad-solutions.ch