Lightweight, all purpose hoops: Spank's Oozy EVO rims are light enough, at just 420-435g grams per hoop (
depending on finish), to be laced up and run on a feather weight cross-country race whippet, but Spank says that they can also be used on all-mountain and enduro machines that would benefit from less rotational weight - ideal for those 5 and 6 inch travel bikes that earn their turns. The 21mm internal width strikes a middle ground that will work for both scrawny XC tread and proper, meaty all condition tires. The disc specific Oozy EVO rims come in 32 hole only this year, but a 28 hole version is in the works for 2012, and are available in high polished-anodized black, red, blue and the coated white versions that we laced up for testing. They retail for $74.90 USD.
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The Oozy EVO rim uses a number of novel features that Spank says makes it up to the task on all-mountain rigs, despite its 435 gram weight.
Spank Oozy EVO rim details:
- Intended use: aggressive XC/trail/all-mountain
- Uses Spank's OohBah ribbed inner rim well
- Double BeadNip helps to keep tire seated when running low pressure
- Disc specific
- Weight: 435 grams
- Holes: 32
- 21mm internal rim width
- ERD: 537mm
- Color options: black, red, blue, white
- MSRP $74.90 USD |
Spank has put quite a bit of time and effort into their Oozy EVO rims and it shows in the features that set them apart from more traditional hoops. The most obvious attribute of the Oozy rim is hidden from view by the rim tape (
that comes included), that being its patented 'OohBah' ribbed inner rim well. The longitudinal ridges run completely around the rim's circumference and work to create extra rigidity and strength that would otherwise require adding more material, thereby increasing rim weight. The ridges function in the same manner as how the shape of a corrugated metal roof can withstand much more weight than a simple sheet of metal of the same thickness, with the concave outer wall with a convex inner rim well resisting flex or flat spotting.
The Oozy rims also use Spank's Double BeadNip™ design, incorporating a second raised edge on the inner rim well that helps to hold the tire bead in place and keep the it seated when running low air pressure. Spank claims that the Double BeadNip™ also greatly reduces the chance of pinch flatting by preventing the tire bead from shifting inwards. The Oozy EVO rim measures out at 20mm high, with an external width of 26mm. The internal rim width, an important number that can determine which width tires work best, is 21mm, great for 2.1" - 2.4" high volume trail and all-mountain rubber, but are capable of running as low as 1.5" tires for XC race or touring duties.
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| The Oozy EVO's ribbed 'OohBah' inner rim well (left) is shaped like a corrugated metal roof to add strength and stiffness, while the Double BeadNip (left) helps fight against flat tires - we didn't suffer a single flat. |
We laced the Spank Oozy EVO rims up to be tested on our burly Orange Five test bike, a coil sprung sled that sees as much shuttle action as it does getting to the top of the mountain under good old fashioned leg power. It's fair to say that a rim's reliability greatly depends on the initial build quality, but starting with a true, stiff rim will make it much easier to attain uniform spoke tension, the goal of any wheel builder worth his Park truing stand. The Oozy's certainly fall into the 'easy to build' category, coming together quickly and effortlessly without having to resort to uneven tension during assembly. We pushed the Oozy EVO rims hard and have come away impressed with how well the 435 grams hoops have held up. Despite spending a lot of time on gnarly, rocky terrain, much of it with questionable air pressure, they have not suffered a single sidewall dent or flat spot to this day. Are they still true? perfectly. In fact, the last set of wheels that we had this little trouble with had carbon rims and cost well over $2,000 USD - we are impressed. There also seems to be something to Spank's Double BeadNip™ feature because we have yet to fall victim to a single flat tire when using the Oozy EVO rims, regardless of some questionable tire choices on our end. Keeping in mind that spoke tension plays a major roll in overall wheel stiffness, the Oozy EVO rims feel more than adequately rigid as well, no doubt helped by the fact that the build has held its tension quite well throughout the test period. The rim's finish also seems to be up to the task, not looking any worse for wear after plenty of abuse.
Levers required: The Oozy EVO's score great marks in our books as lightweight yet robust rims that are a great option for those who want to shave some weight on their all-mountain rig or are looking for a set of burly cross-country hoops, but we do have a single complaint. As much strength as the OohBah ribbed inner rim well apparently adds, it does make installing or removing a tire a bit harder. How so? The raised sections can prevent the tire's bead from falling into the center of the rim, preventing you from getting the slack in the bead to make the job easy. While not a deal breaker in opinion, it should be mentioned that if you're used to using your bare hands to remove Kevlar bead tires you'll likely require a tire lever or two when swapping tires on the Oozy EVO rims.
Pinkbike says: Spank's Oozy EVO rims proved to be a reliable choice that makes sense for anyone who wants a set of relatively lightweight rims, be that for their all-mountain bike or a cross-country rig that gets ridden hard. If you aren't interested in lacing up a set of rims you'll be happy to hear that Spank is close to debuting their complete wheelsets, allowing you to get a set of off the shelf wheels without the hassle of having to build them up. Stay tuned to our upcoming Eurobike coverage to get the first look.
Visit the
Spank website to see their entire lineup.
