Standard, Boost and Super Boost? What’s the difference?
Know your Hub Standards and Sizes
Let’s start with the basics. Boost hubs are now considered the standard in mountain biking. They were introduced a few years ago as 29″ and 27.5″ wheels gained popularity. The rise of larger wheels highlighted a challenge: the bigger rims struggled to match the lateral stiffness of their smaller 26″ counterparts using the old hub standard of a 100×15 front axle and a 142×12 rear axle. To address this issue, the new Boost standard was introduced.
By making the front axle 10mm wider, and the rear 6mm wider the new hub standard became front 110×15, and rear 148×12. These wider hubs built stronger, stiffer wheels that reclaimed the lateral stiffness that had been lost when wheel sizes increased. They were also optimized to handle the new 10, 11 and eventually 12 speed 1x drivetrains that had become the norm. The wider spacing allowed for improved dishing and symmetry on the wheels which now had to accommodate these wide range cassettes. This new Boost spacing would quickly become the new standard for mountain biking, while 142/100 fell into favour for modern road and gravel bikes.
Super Boost
Some frame manufacturers felt that Boost was just a stop gap to solving for wheel stiffness and chain line. Enter Super Boost—an evolution of the Boost standard. With a rear hub spacing of 157mm, Super Boost further extends the rear axle and shifts the hub over to the right by an additional 9mm. The result? A wider, stiffer wheel that offers even better performance in technical terrain, as well as improved durability for aggressive riders.
Standard to Boost front hubs
By increasing the width from 100mm to 110mm, the wheel can be built stronger and closer to true symmetry by pushing the disc side flange outwards.
Standard, Boost, & Super Boost Hub Standards
The axle increases in width from 142 to 148 to 157. However the most noticeable difference in wheel strength comes from the flanges being further apart. The increased flange width builds a stronger wheel laterally.
PICKING THE RIGHT RIM FOR YOUR RIDING STYLE
With so many options available, it’s easy to get lost in the details. But the truth is, each of our most popular rim models—though similar at first glance—is engineered for specific types of riders and bike setups. Let’s dive into four common comparisons and find out which is your perfect match.
Standard 142mm
The original thru axle standard. While it brought significant increases in stiffness and strength, Boost spacing quickly replaced it as the go to standard for Mountain Biking. However, for modern road and gravel bikes, 142mm hub spacing is now the standard. Chris King, DT Swiss, Industry Nine, Hope, and Onyx offer hubs in this spacing.
Boost 148mm
148 x12 or Boost spacing is the current standard for MTB rear hubs. It offers a significant improvement in stiffness and strength compared to 142mm. Chris King, Hope, Project 321, OneUp, Industry Nine, DT Swiss and Onyx offer hubs in this spacing.
Super Boost 157mm
Super Boost’s key advantages lie in its ability to offer superior stiffness, strength, and tire clearance. While it is still a niche standard, many hub manufacturers have great options in their lineup. DT Swiss, Industry Nine, Chris King and Onyx make hubs for this standard.
100MM (Front)
The original front hub spacing. For 30+ years this was the spacing for all modern mountain bikes. Originally used with quick releases, thru axles would become the norm in the late 2000’s. DT Swiss, Industry Nine, Onyx and Hope offer hubs in this spacing.
Boost 110mm (Front)
The updated Boost front hub standard spacing allows for a stiffer and stronger wheel. In a matter of a few years it quickly unseated 100mm as the standard for mountain bikes. Chris King, DT Swiss, Industry Nine, Onyx and Hope offer hubs in this spacing.
Which Bikes Use Super Boost?
Several brands have been leading the Super Boost charge, with Pivot, Knolly and Devinci embracing the benefits of the extra wide standard on their enduro and gravity models. Models from these brands are designed around Super Boost for a reason: they’re built to handle the extreme stresses of gravity riding.
HOW TO PICK YOUR SUPER BOOST WHEELS:
Super Boost is amazing for crafting wheels that can withstand the rough and tumble nature of aggressive riding. With that in mind, you want to pair your Super Boost hub with a rim that’s also strong, reliable, and durable.
The obvious pairing for an ideal Super Boost Wheelset is a carbon rim, with a wide internal rim profile, such as the NOBL TR41, TR38 or TR37. All of these wheels are built to handle the demands of gravity riders, with wider internal rim profiles that pair perfectly with the increased tire clearance Super Boost hubs provide.
Thinking about carbon wheels?
Wheels not only add or save a significant amount of weight, but they also have a massive impact on the feeling and quality of your ride. At NOBL, we are carbon rim experts, and here are our top six reasons why you should consider carbon rims as a wheelset upgrade.
TR41
Originally designed with eMTBs in mind, our TR41s have become a great option for aggressive gravity riders who want to run wider tires to pair with a Super Boost hub.
Their burly design offers up great tracking and a responsive ride-feel thanks to the Sinewave profile, and features a lifetime warranty.
TR38
Slightly narrower than the TR41, the TR38 is our strongest rim we offer, and the perfect choice if you’re racking up lap after lap at the bike park. With a deep 25mm profile, these are built to take a beating and keep on rolling, and a great fit for a shuttle or enduro Super Boost rig. As a Legacy NOBL rim, it comes standard with a 5 year warranty that can be upgraded to a lifetime warranty.
TR37
The TR37 is also a nice choice for a Super Boost wheel build. This is our take on the ultimate modern trail rim. Less beefy than the TR38, the TR37 has a narrower internal profile than the TR41, with proven enduro tested durability, and a compliant ride with our Sinewave sidewalls. This would be a great choice for the Super Boost rider on an all mountain or trail bike.
Ready to go Super Boost?
If you’re looking to upgrade to a custom carbon Super Boost wheelset this year, NOBL is ready to help you build a wheelset that’s tailored to your riding style. Our team would love to help you find the perfect wheelset for your specific needs. Get in touch for a personalized wheelset recommendation at no cost.
