After starting off with excellent mountain bike wheels, Forge + Bond is back. This time, they’re expanding outside of the MTB world, and going deep into the skinny(er) tire realm. Still constructed with their nylon-infused carbon fiber material known as FUSIONFIBER, the new Forge + Bond CR 35 and 45 wheels promise to smooth out the road, or road less traveled.
Made by hand in Gunnison, Utah, the F+B CR series includes two different rim profiles, the 35 and 45. Both rims measure 25mm internally with a 30.5mm external width, but the rim name refers to the depth of the rim – either 35 or 45mm. Using a hookless/tubeless design, the rims are designed for 28-32mm road tires, but can handle up to 47mm gravel tires.
Offered in three different builds, the F+B Shift build puts the wheelset at a very approachable $1,250 price point using their own hubs. You also have the choice of DT-Swiss hubs or I9 Torch hubs for $2,199 for either wheelset. Weights start at 1473g for the I9 Torch CR 35 wheelset, or 1566g for the I9 Torch CR 45 wheelset.
Technical Overview:
F+B CR 35 Wheelset
- Hub options: I9 Torch $2,199, DT Swiss 350 $2,199, F+B SHIFT $1,250
- Rim Depth: 35mm
- Outer Rim Width: 30.5mm
- Inner Rim Width: 25mm
- Bead Wall Thickness: 2.65mm
- Spoke Count: 24h
- Spoke: Sapim CX-Ray
- Rim Type: Hookless/Tubeless
- Tire Size Range: Built for 28-32mm, up to 47mm
- Max Tire Pressure: 28c-90psi, 32c-70psi, 40c-50psi
Wheelset Weights:
- I9 Torch HG: 1473g
- I9 Torch XD: 1485g
- DT Swiss 350 HG: 1565g
- DT Swiss 350 XD: 1578g
- F+B SHIFT HG: 1510g
- F+B SHIFT XD: 1506g
F+B CR 45 Wheelset
- Hub options: I9 Torch $2,199, DT Swiss 350 $2,199, F+B SHIFT $1,250
- Rim Depth: 45mm
- Outer Rim Width: 30.5mm
- Inner Rim Width: 25mm
- Bead Wall Thickness: 2.7mm
- Spoke Count: 24h
- Spoke: Sapim CX-Ray
- Rim Type: Hookless/Tubeless
- Tire Size Range: Built for 28-32mm, up to 47mm
- Max Tire Pressure: 28c-90psi, 32c-70psi, 40c-50psi
Wheelset Weights:
- I9 Torch HG: 1566g
- I9 Torch XD: 1546g
- DT Swiss 350 HG: 1658g
- DT Swiss 350 XD: 1671g
- F+B SHIFT HG: 1608g
- F+B SHIFT XD: 1584g
The wheels are available now at select retailers or at the site linked below.
