Velocity P-35 29″er Rims: On Test

Our European correspondent, “c_g” has landed a set of the new P-35 rims from Velocity and has been riding them already for a bit. Here he gives us the low down as well as his opinions on the new hoop from Velocity.

New kid on the block – the Velocity´s P35 rims:

While I am still busy testing the FRM 29er rims for their long term durability (with the Rohloff rear hub) I was blessed with a another set of the newly released rims: the Velocity P35s. These ultra wide rims from the Land Down Under have been announced only in late August and I was lucky enough to have them in my hands as early as Eurobike.

I was always very interested in seeing how a ultra wide rim would change a tire´s footprint and riding characteristics. I have read so much about how they transform ones ride and it has long been on my personal wish list for testing. With the Velocity P35 rims I had the first chance to see for myself and I was excited about it.

Now, is there another kid asking to take the Salsa Gordo´s monopoly by storm? Does it really have the potential? We will see …

This is what Velocity had to say in their press release:

“The P35 is designed for the cross country/all mountain rider craving a laterally stiff yet weight conscious rim that is still tough enough for the occasional Super – D race. At 35mm wide the P35 gives you one of the fattest footprints available which will float over the rough stuff and give you more bite and greater tread use through the turns. All of this and still weighing in at less than 600 grams in the 29er size! The P35 is 22mm deep with an inside width of 29.5mm which will accommodate a wide array of tire widths to cater to your riding preferences. In addition the P35 was designed to easily accommodate a tubeless application.

Weight: 29”: 595g, 650b: 570g, 26”: 535g”

One of the very obvious things about the P35 is color. Before Velocity sent the P-35s, my rims were always black or silver, or shades in between but never in bright colors (Oh yes, I forgot those uncanny “lemon” Mavic 217s I had an eternity ago). Anyway, holding these rims (I should say gems) in my hands I felt like a child all over again. Needless to say I have received the “antifreeze green” ones. It is a strange depth and lustre in the color (forgive me for not finding a better word) that feels like it were sugar glazed – pictures just can´t capture the sensation well. Sure enough my little boy (his favorite color is green), upon seeing the rims, he immediately approached me asking: “Daddy, when I am grown up will you give these rims to me?” My wife´s response was different: “But you´re not going to ride these things, are you?” – So you see, colors like these can make a statement and these rims do – especially the green or red ones. Love them or leave them.

But rest assured, the P35 is also available in black and the ultra hip white.

Purpose: “Man, why are you riding DH rims on your rigid?” was another comment I had to face riding the rims. With an outside width of 35 mm (what was the rim´s name again?) and an inner width of 29.5 mm it sure can be mistaken for a DH rim. It can easily take any size tire you throw at it.

2.3? – give me a break!

2.5? – You got nothing better? Keep it coming!

2.7? – Well, not yet but there is hope.

Given the dimensions of the rim I am in no way hesitant to rough it on them or even do occasional drops and enduro riding but judging by the weight I wouldn´t use it as my primary rim for DH usage on a continuous basis. Since I neither am very fond of bike parks, nor do I own a 4 inch suspension bike I see little change for me to push the P35s beyond their capacity.

The rims´design close up: I have mentioned how they are huge – even more so in such a flashy color. By design the cross section of the rim has a soft transition between the central groove and the wide and level shoulders. The rim, just like any other tubeless ready rim, is conventionally drilled so it will need some kind of sealing action before it can be used tubeless. The valves are drilled to 5.5 mm so only presta valves will fit unless you drill them open yourself. But then again most tubeless valves are presta. The spokes are without eyelets. I personally like the thought of eyelets distributing spoke tension to a larger area but many rims do without them and do so well. Time will tell …

The very early production samples I received had some sharp edges in some drill holes and even a few aluminum shavings floating in the inside (could hear them occasionally when building up the wheels) – but knowing Velocity , I am sure this will not be an issue when production is at full pace.

Wheel building: The build of the wheels went straight forward. The rims made a straight wheel from the start. Strangely the spoke holes are more or less in line (much different from the strong zig-zagging in the BLUNTs) – probably a tribute to concentrate forces in the rim´s pinnacle. Oh yes, weights were close to the release info: 504 g in 26 and 598 g for the 29er (sorry no 650b samples).

The build was no hassle at all. The only downside was that I had only one 29er rim and another in 26 – so despite sacrificing a bit on the perfect geometry I took my 26er rig and converted it into a 69er. I am waiting for a 29er rear wheel to resume testing with full force but for some initial impressions this setup was adequate.

Mounting: All tires I tried (tubeless, tubeless ready and folding bead of different makes) were easily mounted by hand. This is something unusual for a rim claiming tubeless readiness, more often than not tubeless ready rims (e. g. Notubes or FRM) are designed a bit larger to make conversion of folding beads easier. Riders of tubeless ready tires on rims like the ARCH or FLOW know what I am talking about. The P35 fit much like I had experienced with my Mavic UST wheels.

When taken to higher pressures all but the loosest tires “popped” onto the shoulders audibly indicating a good rim/bead lockage. Again something very reassuring when going tubeless.

Yes, I did convert the P35 tubeless on a homemade system – don´t ask me how (or if you ask, don´t expect an answer) – but, from a reliable source I know a tubeless conversion kit specifically for the P35 offered by Velocity is in the making. So for all those awaiting a wide rim and riding it tubeless under full cover by the manufacturer – there is hope.

Riding: I have only had a couple of rides on the wheels so my experiences are still forming, nothing definite. The wheels sure feel very stable, much like you´d expect with such wide rims.

The first thing I immediately noticed was how the wide rim changes the tires´ footprint. Usually people looking into wide rims are running wide tires and appreciate the extra support. I specifically tried a 2.0 XC tire that had remarkably bad cornering characteristic on the P35s. they went on and voila – it was like riding a completely different tire. For most riding I chose 2.3 tires and was pleased with the extra cushion from the added volume and low pressures possible. I was riding the wheels with pressures down to 1.35 bars without any adverse effects to be felt. Wait for more on the riding experiences to come as the miles accumulate. While riding on particularly rocky terrain I managed to strike through to the rim a couple of times and upon after ride examination I saw that I had produced one slight bend in the side walls – nothing bad but noticeable. Interestingly I didn´t experience any burping or flats throughout the ride – one more time riding tubeless saved my day.

Early comments: So who needs a rim like the P35? Let me answer by stating who doesn´t:

1, Well, weight weenies and XC racers need not apply At around 600gm for the 29er version it surely is not the lightest – but XC racers were never interested in them anyway (Still, lets not forget the P35 weighs almost 100 g less than its equal width competitor the Salsa Gordo).

2, Die hard gravity pilots might also look for something stronger (and heavier).

But every other rider, seeking the maximum in stability, huge volume (means comfort and cushion) largest footprint (translates into better traction and control), choice of multiple colors and sizes – and all that in a respectable weight and tubeless ready package (with a specific tubeless kit around the corner); all these should take a closer look at the P35.

One thing I cannot comment on with the short time running them is how they will stand up to long use and abuse. So far they have held up without any complaints but I will keep on riding them and will pass them on to other riders to see what they have to say about the “wide combo”.

Ps: Did I say I have mixed feelings about the green color, too? But honestly, can anyone argue that they look cool in winter riding? (makes me think those warm cozy Christmas feelings … and I needed them on that particular ride)

More to come as riding continues ….