TESTED: We Are One Convergence wheels

Words: Ryan Walsch

Photos: Jordan Riddle

All new from We Are One is the Convergence rim and wheel sets. This is a premium carbon rim that has a unique shape. The appearance looks twisted, but it’s not about aesthetics. The inner profile is canted towards the hub flanges, so the nipple can sit flush with nearly no angling in the spoke hole. This reduces the stress on the nipple, rim and spoke, and should make for a stronger and overall more durable wheel. The Convergence range does not replace the Revolution, instead it’s a slightly more premium model.

We Are One are selling 29″ wheel sets with 28 hole front lacings and 32 hole rear lacings, and there are options for 28mm internal ( Sector), 30mm internal (Triad) and 33mm internal (Fuse) width options. The 27.5″ models will come in 32 hole only, with a 30mm inner width. The rim height is 18.5mm across all widths. Rim wights are 495g, 505g and 523g respectively for 28, 30 and 33mm internal widths in 29”.

After chatting to We Are One and their Importer Danjas Imports, I landed on a 28mm internal Sector rim on the rear and the 30mm internal Triad on the front which kept the Goodyear Newton MTR 29 x 2.4 inch and MTF 29 x 2.5 inch tyres inflated to the optimal profile. This wheel set is laced to i9 Hydras, and sells for $3250. Rim only are $1080 per end.

I have been running the MTR and MTF in the Enduro Casing which are very thick and robust with no inserts, just like I have been on a couple of other wheel sets recently. The slightly narrower 28mm internal rear rim holds the narrower MTR tyre perfectly as does the 30mm internal front rim for the bigger bagged MTF on the front. Across all my current wheels with these tyres I run 26.5psi up front and 29psi out the rear.

On the Trail

I received the Convergence wheels quite early on with limited rim data or figures, instead I was told they are We Are One’s premium rim offering targeted at Enduro and hardtail riders. With that in mind, I often fit up product without weighing and asking questions as an unbiased first ride can often speak volumes. The wheels feel light and snappy straight off the mark, very responsive out of the saddle and with a noticeable weight reduction over my test rig’s regular wheels.

Pointed straight into the rockiest trails I could find, I wanted to see how the low profile Convergence rim would take trail chatter and abuse. I am a huge fan of lower profile rims, however what brands land on as the “sweet spot” varies greatly, with some so low profile they are an effective leaf spring with little to no lateral support for riders over 70kgs. 

The Convergence rims take the sting of repetitive impacts and trail noise exceptionally well, our test trails “felt” less fatiguing with less arm pump over their 400m vert of increasingly rough terrain. 

Does all this vertical compliance effect the lateral stiffness of the convergence? I high tailed it to my local bike park to square off some turns and hit the jump lines. While the Convergence don’t feel as stiff as the We Are One Union wheels I often ride, they didn’t feel far off them at all, while still being stiffer than two other low profile rims I have on rotation. We Are One’s idea of a sweet spot is is in my opinion a great mix of vertical compliance and lateral stiffness which would suit aggressive riders looking for a fatigue reducing and confidence inspiring wheel set.

Over the following months on the Convergence wheels, I would periodically pop another set of wheels on the test bike. Even another set of low profile carbon hoops to mix it up and make sure what could be felt was in fact noticeable on the trail. While not measurable, the trail feel of the Convergence rims when compared to the Revolution rims or my baseline low profile carbon rim was positive. They are compliant and less fatiguing while retaining high amounts of lateral stiffness.The Convergence wheel set found its way onto my do everything party hardtail, a steel 140mm RockShox Pike equipped steed I use for everything. Again, same reduction in harshness can be felt. I will note that the vertical compliance is obviously undamped and does add a small amount of spring to the ride, noticed slightly more so on the hardtail. I have played with rebound with other low profile carbon rims and required a full click slower rebound to counteract the sensation but was on the fence if a full click was required with the Convergence rims, they are super nice to ride and surprisingly I notice the front wheels benefits more than the rear, my forearms and hands on big runs are grateful.

What about the Revolution rims, is the Convergence a better rim?

The Convergence 29 Triad 30mm internal rim has a 10g weight penalty over a Revolution Union 29 with the same 30mm internal width, but they both feel completely different to ride. Despite having a 32% increase in impact strength and 10g of extra meat, a rim of only 18.5mm depth cannot be laterally as stiff to ride. For most of the trails I frequent, there is limited support and or grip to truly find the limits of the Convergence, however a banked turn or deep rut does favour the Union’s profile for straight shooting, the Convergence does have more of a load up and release feel to it. The decision should really come down to the individual’s riding preference and style. If you mainly ride park, then go for Revolution series rims and if you race Enduro, ride aggressive rocky, tech filled Jank or just want to bling out your bike then go the Convergence.

RRP: Rim only $1080, Wheel set as tested $3250

From: danjasimports.com

Got a dirt jumper? Check out the We are One Coup Rims review here!

Hits:

• Rim or wheels, in different widths and sizes
• Increased impact strength
• Lifetime rim warranty from riding breakages
• Look awesome
• Comfortable without being too soft

Misses:

• Minimal branding or color matched stickers
• Rims require tubeless tape