The AM35 is is the UK based bike brand’s attempt to bring their super value direct sales model to the world of wheels. The carbon rim sports a 35mm outer width and 30mm internal, and has been designed with toughness in mind. The 2.5mm wide hook-less bead and (claimed) 440g rim weight is designed to shrug-off dents, yet the use of just 28 triple-butted and flat-bladed spokes keeps weight down and compensates for the harshness of the burly rim.
We measured the AM 35 to be slightly less laterally stiff than the Bontragers, despite the carbon rim. Given the relatively feather-light total weight of 1605g (with rim tape), this is less than surprising, though. The low weight quickens acceleration and reduces unsprung mass, allowing the suspension to do its job that bit better.
They turn on DT Swiss 350 hubs, offering legendary reliability and a36-tooth version of DT’s bombproof ratchet drive system for fairly quick, 10 degree pick-up.
On the trail, the wheels feel slightly less precise when hammering over random rocky terrain or firing into catch berms, but this is only perceptible under scrutinous back-to-back comparison. The flip side of this compliant build is reduced feedback through the bars and less skipping over bumps. The 30mm width offers superb sidewall support to the tyre; but when using the same tyres and tyre pressures, we did not notice this to be any more pronounced than with the slightly narrower Bontrager rims. The combination of tried and tested hubs, burly rim and brass spoke nipples is intended to keep them running for ages.
After hammering our set through burly rock gardens, jumps and turns, they remain true, undented and evenly tensioned. Bird supplies the wheels with a range of top-notch tyres, rim tape and valves already installed, as well as spare spokes, tyre levers and even two spare (18 tooth) ratchets for an extra 150$. This bolsters their good value, high reliability mantra further. For the price, the low weight, supportive width and built-in compliance make them a worthy upgrade for those chasing cheeky Strava KOMs. That’ll give you something to tweet about.
Price 1125$