Crank Brothers Cobalt Wheels Review

Out of the box I was super impressed with the look of these babies. Super bright blue rims with a cool new spoke design. The spokes are in two pieces that join in the center for tightening and loosening that gives the wheel a cool modern look. The hubs are definitely the highlight of these wheels, machined to perfection and coated with a shiny chrome look.

I threw these wheels on the Thursday before the 12 hour race. The transfer took about an hour and I was amazed at how well the Maxxis tires set in the rim. The dual tension skewers further add to the look of the wheel which provides a super tight and stable fit. 

When I got out to Vail the first thing I noticed was the sound of the freewheel…quick and loud buzz. At first it sounded cool…then I became concerned that the noise would become annoying. After putting a continuous stream of power down I noticed that the freewheel would be bearable and welcomed in some situations…this thing will easily spook the local coyotes and hopefully mountain lions as well.

The wheels climbed well and felt firm. The descents would be the real test. I took them down the punishing Ridgeline descent, a perfect place to test a new wheelset. At first I noticed how fast these things rolled and fell in love with the hubs and bearings…they just love to spin. I hit a couple of drops on the way down and was impressed with the feel of the rim. It was a perfect blend of firmness and forgiveness giving the rider a great feeling of comfort and control on even the most pounding terrain. On the Tunnel singletrack I noticed reeling the wheels back under me and finding myself airborne in a couple of places. This is a section I have run easily 100 times and the slight grin turned to smile by the time I reached the bottom. I left the brakes open on the usual sections and found myself building speed much easier then normal…good stuff!

The wheels passed the test and I will be purchasing a set. After putting these wheels to the test during the race last weekend and some punishing rocky descents in the Santa Ana’s this past weekend, these wheels have proven to hold up. A great all around package and at 1540 grams…wow!!

The only drawbacks I could find with these wheels were the color and price. The color looks great on the Kona, a perfect fit…but I could see how they could clash with other frame colors. Lastly, retailing at $1000 is a bit steep but you do get what you pay for!

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