Expert Reviewed

“There’s a standout difference to how NOBL’s rims look and ride. The notorious sinewave shape of the rim isn’t just for a standout appearance, it helps aid lateral stiffness in the wheel. And, lateral stiffness is something most of us are looking for in a pair of carbon hoops so that when we stand up and deliver the last few watts we can muster, most of that energy is transferred into driving us forward instead of being absorbed by our wheels (and other components; looking at you suspension).”

“NOBL pushes the rim design enough that the HR35 wheels live up to the “gravel” designation without doing anything unnecessary or extreme. Add in some classic good looks, and the B.C. company delivers a carbon fibre wheelset that will outlast the more fleeting all-road fashions. […] After months of bashing NOBL’s wheelset around on rough, loose gravel roads, the surface remains pristine. This could be because of rim’s construction process. S136 and P20 steel molds apparently allow for tighter tolerances and a cleaner surface straight out of the mold.”

“The most notable trait of the TR37 wheels is that they’re one of, if not the most compliant carbon wheels I’ve ever ridden. […] At 1,715 g for the complete wheelset in a 27.5’’ diameter, the TR37 wheels are also quite light for a wheel meant for Enduro use, and that low weight is readily apparent on the way up. Compared to a lot of aluminum wheels that weigh 200–400+ grams more, the TR37 accelerates more easily. It’s especially noticeable on really steep climbs where you’re grinding so slowly that you lose speed between each pedal stroke and need to spin the wheels back up with each turn of the pedals. Those types of climbs aren’t ever much fun, but a really light wheelset helps, and the TR37 wheels are some of the lightest I’ve ridden that are still meant for aggressive riding on longer-travel bikes.”

“The TR32’s track predictably through rocks and roots, and will hold a line as you push hard into fast corners, putting paid to NOBL’s claim they’re tough enough to be lightweight everyday trail wheels. What little flex there is isn’t wasted. You’re not just losing energy or momentum in a corner. The TR32’s seem to snap and return, giving them a more lively feel.”

“The TR37s feel balanced and smooth underhand and foot, but without feeling soft or flexy in the slightest. Think of it like opening up your high-speed damper a click or two—you won’t really feel it most of the time, but on those hard and fast hits, it’ll make a difference. Likely, that balanced feeling is due to the front and rear-specific layups. Front and rear wheels interact differently with the trail, not to mention with our suspension and with our bodies. Designing rims around that fact allows the front rim to focus on what’s important; not getting bounced off line and not rattling your fillings loose. Meanwhile, the rear wheel simply has to track with the direction of your momentum and remain predictable..”

“When I got out on my first lap with the NOBL 38s I had the 2.35” tire set up. I was heading for some slick, rocky laps and I was nervous having such little traction. […] Not quite to my surprise, but still shockingly, the set up was far stiffer, and more controlled than the previous wheels with DH casings I had been running. I instantly noticed my whole bike stiffen, straighten and track exactly when I wanted it to.”

Have Your Say

We’ve Come A Long Way

Below are some links to reviews on earlier models of the products we offered. These products still exist in their new updated versions, which incorporate technology improvements to the molds/layups, and raw carbon finishes that are more scratch-resistant. Please keep in mind that some details from these reviews may be no longer accurate. 

“I wound up running the TR33’s for the better part of a season and they are still rolling completely free of wobbles and hops. The wheels hold a true. Should you need to get out the spoke wrench (an inevitability, of course) there’s nothing exotic (and, consequently, exasperating) to contend with here. Thirty-two, three-crossed, J-bend spokes on each wheel are easily trued and available at just about any bike shop on the planet.”

“[The TR33s] offer the closest feel to aluminum wheels I’ve found in carbon, where they move with the rider, especially under load. NOBL did considerable research to cut their own path and the package it put together shows.

“The TR33 is NOBL’s Jack-of-all-trades wheelset. The ‘33’ refers to the outside dimensions of the rim, not the interior width, which is the critical number to keep in mind when attempting to pair rim and tire widths. The rim interior measures 27mm.”

“Carbon-rimmed wheels are ideal for riders hungry for every sliver of performance advantage, and the stiff TR36 29er wheelset proved to be stable, precise, and predictable when entering challenging terrain on the gas.”

“These wheel-flex characteristics are impossible to quantify without precise instruments, but I can say with certainty that I rode noticeably faster, harder, and with more control on the NOBL [TR38s] than with high-end aluminum rims or middle-of-the-pack carbon rims under me. The rims were stiff when I required it in hard turns and landings, but gave a dampened feeling compared to aluminum rims, which made them far more comfortable to ride, and which translated to more control and precision on long runs.”