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Crankbrothers has updated its Synthesis Alloy wheel range with a focus on durability, claiming the new 2.0 rims are much tougher than the originals launched in 2020.
Available in downhill, enduro and eMTB-specific versions, the new mountain bike wheels retain the brand's front- and rear-specific approach, pairing a more compliant front wheel with a stiffer rear to balance grip, steering precision and stability.
The biggest change is to the rim itself, with Crankbrothers moving from a 6013 T6 alloy to 6069 aluminium with a shot-peened finish, alongside revised rim geometry with thicker walls in key impact zones.
The brand claims this delivers "significantly higher tensile, yield, fatigue and shear strength", offering better resistance to dents, cracks and deformation for unmatched durability and long-term performance.
Bold claims, and Crankbrothers is backing the new wheels with a lifetime rim warranty. If you crack or dent a Synthesis Alloy 2.0 rim to the point it will no longer hold air, the company says it'll replace it, no questions asked. It also covers "damage caused by crash during normal riding".
While we've seen warranties like this for high-end carbon wheels, it's rare to see a brand cover its alloy wheels in the same way.
Tuned
The tuned wheel concept remains unchanged, with these Enduro wheels using a 30mm internal front rim paired with a 28.5mm rear, while the downhill and eMTB versions increase to 31mm and 29.5mm, respectively.
The front wheel is laced with 28 spokes for added compliance, while the rear uses 32 spokes to boost stiffness and strength.
You can choose between Crankbrothers' in-house Ratchet hub, offering 10-degree engagement (upgradeable to 6.6 degrees), or this Industry Nine 1/1 hub featuring 4-degree engagement.
This Industry Nine setup costs £339.99 / $339.99 for the front wheel and £559.99 / $559.99 for the rear, while Ratchet-equipped versions come in at £279.99 / $279.99 and £419.99 / $419.99 respectively. Prices are the same across the DH, Enduro and eMTB ranges.
Whether the claimed durability improvements translate to the trail remains to be seen, and we'll be keen to find out once we've logged some miles on them.
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