NOBL Core XC: Carbon Wheels Built Around a Simpler Ratchet Hub

By MTBSA contributor

NOBL’s Core hub brings a simpler ratchet-based option to its wheel builds. The lightest announced Core XC configuration pairs the hub with carbon rims and Alpina Extralite spokes for a claimed 1,386 g wheelset at ≈ R25 082.

The hub at the centre

The mountain version uses a 45-tooth ratchet for 8° engagement, with a claimed hub-set weight starting at 365 g. The road and gravel version uses 36 teeth and 10° engagement. Standard bearing sizes and uncomplicated internals are central to NOBL’s serviceability pitch.

Core hubs are offered on NOBL wheelsets rather than as an unrestricted standalone purchase. Six-bolt and Center Lock rotor options are listed, along with XD, Micro Spline and HG drivers.

New rim design

The latest rims move away from the earlier Sinewave profile towards a shallower, concave shape. Front and rear profiles have different priorities: the front is intended to be more forgiving, while the rear has additional impact reinforcement.

Wide bead areas, an integrated energy-dissipating material and revised tubeless bead shelves are all intended to improve impact behaviour and tyre setup. NOBL’s published compliance and strength comparisons are in-house claims, not MTBSA measurements.

Build choices and warranty distinctions

The 1,386 g figure is specified for the Center Lock/XD build. Announced pricing is ≈ R25 082 or ≈ R21 315. Other Core builds span trail, enduro, gravity, e-MTB and gravel use. A wider custom programme also makes the latest rims available with alternative hubs and spokes.

NOBL lists lifetime cover for carbon rims and lifetime wheel servicing, while the Core hub has a separate two-year warranty. South African buyers should confirm eligibility, shipping costs and how service claims work from here before treating overseas support as a local service plan. Rand pricing and local stock are not confirmed by this announcement.

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About these rand prices

Amounts marked ≈ are approximate rand conversions of overseas prices, using SARS reference rates dated 12 October 2026, rounded to the nearest rand. They are not South African retail quotes and exclude additional shipping, import charges and local retailer costs. Confirm current local pricing with a South African dealer. Unqualified dollar prices in US-market reporting are treated as US dollars; explicitly identified currencies use their corresponding rate.