Irwin Cycling is a fairly new wheel company that has been around for approximately three years. After having success expanding in markets like Europe, Asia and Africa, the brand is now expanding its US presence. Irwin makes aluminum wheels, but carbon is the main focus of the product line with models for road, cyclocross and mountain biking.
All Irwin Cycling wheels are handbuilt. The Aon DX 38 disc brake tubeless ready clinchers have a retail price of $1,650. 2017 Sea Otter Classic. © G. Kato / Cyclocross Magazine
We took an up-close look at the new Aon DX 38 carbon wheelset for disc brakes. As you might surmise from the name, it has a 38mm deep profile made from unidirectional carbon. This rim is for clincher tires and it is tubeless ready.
With an internal rim width of 18mm and an outer width of 26mm, the Aon DX 38 is targeted more towards fast rolling, racer types rather than the gravel rider looking for fat rubber.
An angled bead shelf is designed to keep the bead in place, while a deep center channel helps make mounting tubeless tires easier. 2017 Sea Otter Classic. © A. Yee / Cyclocross Magazine
One of the features that make Irwin Cycling's products stand out is the freebie engagement. With 6 pawls, 48 ratchets and 3.75 degrees of engagement, these wheels respond to rider input much quicker than the average wheel. It is a difference you can feel even when spinning the freehub by hand. Helping to make sure the high engagement is smooth, Enduro sealed bearings are used (two in the front, four in the rear).
The Irwin mountain wheels are available with Enduro bearings, and external nipples make truing easier. 2017 Sea Otter Classic. © A. Yee / Cyclocross Magazine
The Irwin Aon DX 38 is also available in a tubular version called the Aon TX 38 which has a retail price of $1,500 and is approximately 120 grams lighter (per set). Stay tuned for a future review.
Irwin Cycling Aon DX 38 Wheels Specs:
MSRP: $1,650
Rim Type: Carbon clincher, tubeless-ready
Rim Material: Unidirectional Carbon
Rim Depth: 38mm
Rim Width: 18mm internal, 26mm external
Spoke Count: 24/24 2-cross
Spoke Type: Sapim D-light
Nipple Type: Brass external nipple design
Hubs: Irwin, 6 pawls, 3.75 ̊ engagement. Enduro bearings. Shimano or Campagnolo cassette body
Assembly Method: Hand-built and pre-installed with TLR rim tape
Clincher Disc Weight: 750g/870g
Color Option: Classic Silver or Stealth
Extras: Irwin QRs, Irwin tubeless ready valve stems, Irwin extension valves, 11 speed convert to 10 speed spacer, 12x100mm front hub end caps, 15x100mm front hub end caps, 12x135mm rear end caps, 12x142mm rear hub end caps
More info: irwincycling.com
See our ever-growing stream of new cyclocross and gravel-oriented bikes, wheels, tires, components and cycling gear from 2017 Sea Otter here.
2017 Sea Otter Classic Irwin Cycling Aon DX 38 Wheelset Photo Gallery:
Irwin boasts its own hubs, including this quick-engaging freehub. 2017 Sea Otter Classic. © A. Yee / Cyclocross Magazine
