Most of what decides how a wheel rides is hidden: how the spoke holes are drilled, how the tension is set, which nipple sits where. This is how handbuilt carbon wheels from 9th Wave are made, and why.
The rim
The ART asymmetric rim design moves the spoke holes off-centre, so the spoke tension on both sides of the wheel comes closer together. That keeps the wheel stiff and lowers the chance of a spoke going slack under load. Our rims are made to our own carbon lay-up schemes with T800 and T1000 carbon, in a light build. Every rim we make is the light version: read what the names SL and Ninefold mean for the history and what changes between builds.
Laser-controlled robots drill the spoke holes at an angle that lines up with the hub flange. That takes stress off the spoke, the nipple and the rim around the hole, which is why a wheel built this way stays true for longer.
Hookless or hooked
Our gravel and mountain bike rims are hookless. Tubeless tires mount easily, the rim edge resists impacts better, and the tire gets a rounder profile for more grip. For riders who prefer extra security we also offer a few models with a hook, and our Avalon road rims are hooked. Check our Size & Pressure Chart for the pressure that suits your rim and tire.
Handbuilt carbon wheels: built by hand
Machines do the destressing. Everything else is done by hand: assembly and truing on professional truing stands, with alignment gauges and spoke tension meters. Every wheelset leaves with rim tape and aluminium valves already installed, so you can ride as soon as you mount your tires.
The parts we choose
We use spokes from Sapim, DT Swiss and Alpina, and hubs mostly from DT Swiss, with a ratchet freehub that needs little maintenance. Ninefold wheels use our own Onda hubs. In most wheels we use aluminium nipples: they save weight and act as a deliberate weak point under extreme load. For beach racing, e-bike and enduro wheels, where strength comes first, we use brass nipples. Logos go on as waterslide decals instead of stickers, which gives a thin, durable finish.
Made to order
Because everything is done in-house, we can deliver wheels in other colours or with brass or coloured nipples. Contact us for prices and lead times.
Registered, covered
Register your wheelset within 30 days of purchase and your carbon rims carry a lifetime warranty for the original owner. If a crash breaks a rim, crash replacement gives you a new rim at 50% off.
9th Wave started in 2014 at a kitchen table in Apeldoorn, with the belief that we could build better wheels than what was available. Our wheels have since been ridden at the Olympic Games and in World Cup cross-country and marathon racing, and at the highest level of gravel racing. Read how independent wheel builders use our rims, or find a wheel in the shop.
