Spank 359 Spike With White Decal Rim
The Spank Spike 359 is the 29in downhill and freeride rim in the range in its standard form, without the Vibrocore foam core: the same ASTM category 5 rating for downhill, freeride, e-bike and all-mountain use, the same 30.5mm inner width for 2.0 to 2.6in tires, the same Sacred Geometry hollow bead wall that spreads a rock strike over a rounded surface and Bead Bite tubeless hooks that hold a tire at low pressure, about 40 grams lighter and a little cheaper than the Vibrocore version.
This page covers the Spank 359 Spike With White Decal Rim in 29in, 27.5in. The Spike 359 is sold here only inside a wheel we build: choose the hub, spokes and nipples in the configurator and the finished wheel ships from Georgia, laced, tensioned and trued by hand.
Design and construction
Vibrocore is a closed-cell foam that the factory injects into the rim cavity; it weighs almost nothing, damps the high-frequency buzz that an alloy rim carries from the trail to the handlebar, and supports the inner rim wall so it resists denting and fatigue. Sacred Geometry is the hollow, oval bead wall, which spreads a rock strike over a wide, rounded surface instead of a sharp edge, and Bead Bite is the pair of ridges on the bead shelf that lock a tubeless tire in place at low pressure. The Spike profile is 19mm deep and 30.5mm wide inside, welded, in 32 hole.
How it rides
A Spike 359 wheel takes park laps and downhill runs the way the ASTM-5 rating promises: the hollow bead wall shrugs off strikes that would flat-spot a conventional rim and the Bead Bite ridges keep a 2.5in tire seated at 18 psi. It transmits a little more chatter than the Vibrocore version, which is the trade for the weight and price. For downhill, freeride, park and e-bikes on 29in wheels at the best price, the Spike 359 is the rim we recommend.
Specifications
| Wheel size | 29in, 27.5in |
|---|---|
| ERD | 602 (29in), 564 (27.5in) |
| Inner width | 30.5 mm |
| Depth | 19 mm |
| Drillings | 28h, 32h |
| Weight | 540g (700c/29in), 505g (650b/27.5in) |
| Material | Aluminum |
| Nipples | External |
| Finishes | black |
This version
This version is the Spike 359 in 29in, 27.5in, drilled 28h, 32h, about 540g, 30.5mm inside, 19mm deep, disc. Where the same rim is sold in another size or brake type, that is a separate listing with its own page.
This is the disc-brake Spike 359: plain sidewalls, no brake track to wear, a touch lighter. It fits any disc-brake bike and it is the version most of our customers now build; the rim-brake version is a separate listing.
Sizes, fit and compatibility
The Spank 359 Spike With White Decal Rim comes in 29in, 27.5in and 28h, 32h drilling. It is a disc-brake rim. We build the Spike 359 on Spank Hex hubs, Industry Nine Hydra 2, DT Swiss 350, Hope Pro 5, Onyx Classic and Chris King MTB hubs, usually with Sapim Race, Strong or CX-Sprint spokes or DT Competition and Alpine III, and brass nipples.
Tire range on the Spike 359 is 2.3 to 2.6in, with plus tires possible. Pick downhill, freeride or e-bike as your bike type in the configurator and it recommends a spoke count and lacing pattern.
Build it with us
We build this rim to order. Open the Custom Wheel Program with the Spank 359 Spike With White Decal Rim already selected and pick the parts around it; it is offered for tandem and e-bike, mountain bike, MTB single-speed and fat bike builds, and the configurator will not let you assemble a combination we would not build.
Spoke head is decided by the hub, not the rim: this rim builds equally well with J-bend or straight-pull spokes, and the configurator only offers the spokes that match the hub you pick.
How Spank tests its rims
Spank states its rims are "precision handcrafted in our own factory, FRATELLI INDUSTRIES" and that "Each rim undergoes 12 quality control checks before it reaches you." Rims are sleeved rather than welded; Spank states "A sleeved joint also offers the highest strength-to-weight ratio", and rims are shotpeen finished so "no material is removed". Vibrocore models carry a foam inner well that Spank states "reduces the transmission of harmful vibration frequencies & increases the fatigue life of the rim". Vital MTB's factory tour reported seam tests to 180Kg and impact testing to "3 times the international standard, or 2.5million impacts with 150lb".
Spank states "Our more extreme SPANK Internal Test Requirement, doubles EN/ISO testing severity", and that its "Electric +" standard for pedelecs (max 25km/hr) "increases the applied loads in fatigue, impact, and static load testing, and run to destruction". Tests are run "in both in-house test labs, and regularly correlated within 3rd Party Test Labs such as SGS". Rims recommended for ASTM 4 and 5 are rated for E-MTB use; the rim chart gives each model a discipline, an e-bike tick and a Light, Medium or Heavy rider impact level. For gravel rims Spank advises staying "under 75 psi (5 BAR) maximum".
Spank's videos
From Spank
Certifications
- In-house test lab correlated with SGS — Spank states EN/ISO, internal and Electric+ tests are run in-house and "regularly correlated within 3rd Party Test Labs such as SGS" (source)
- EN/ISO test requirement doubled (Spank internal standard) — "Our more extreme SPANK Internal Test Requirement, doubles EN/ISO testing severity" (source)
- Made in own factory, Taiwan — "precision handcrafted in our own factory, FRATELLI INDUSTRIES"; HQ in Taichung, Taiwan (source)
- ASTM 4 & 5 / Electric+ e-bike qualification — Products recommended for ASTM 4 & 5 are rated suitable for E-MTB (pedelec) use under Spank's Electric+ standard (source)
Sources on Spank's site:
- SPANK Buyers' Guide - Rims
- SPANK Industries Rim Chart (PDF)
- SPANK 359 Vibrocore Rim
- SPANK 350 Vibrocore Rim
- SPANK Warranty Application
The figures, certificates and media above are Spank's own. ProWheelBuilder does not run these tests; our part is the wheel we build on the rim.
Building it at ProWheelBuilder
Spank makes the Spike 359; ProWheelBuilder is an independent wheel builder in Georgia, not the manufacturer. Spokes are cut from the ERD we measure on the actual rim, the wheel comes up in stages on a tensiometer, and it is stress-relieved and trued before it goes in the box; tape and a valve go on if you ask.
The configurator filters to what fits, crosses out what is not made, and prices the build as you go.
Warranty
Manufacturer's warranty. Spank warrants this product against defects in materials and workmanship. The duration, conditions and claim process are set by Spank and can change without notice, so ask us and we will confirm the current terms before you buy.
ProWheelBuilder. Our one-year wheel warranty applies to any wheel we build around this part, alongside whatever the manufacturer offers. Inside that year, broken spokes are replaced no matter how they broke, and the wheel labor is ours - truing, re-tensioning or a full rebuild. A rim or hub failure that the maker covers, we claim for you and see through; one the maker declines, we answer with an eligible replacement at 25% off current retail. Shipping both ways is yours, and components you supply yourself fall outside this cover.
Full terms are on our Policies & Warranty page.
359 Spike With White Decal Rim questions
What tire width suits this rim?
At 30.5mm inside this is a trail width, sized around 2.1 to 2.4in tires. That is wide enough to stop a modern trail casing rolling under you in a corner without pushing the tread so flat that it wears down the middle.
Which spokes and nipples suit the Spike 359?
For most riders a double-butted spoke such as Sapim Race or DT Competition with brass nipples; lighter riders can go to Sapim Laser or CX-Ray. The configurator recommends a gauge and count for the Spike 359 from your bike type and weight.
What is Vibrocore?
A biodegradable closed-cell foam injected into the rim cavity that damps vibration and supports the inner rim wall, raising strength and fatigue life for about 40 grams.
Is the Spike 359 e-bike rated?
Yes. ASTM category 5 covers downhill, freeride, e-bike and all-mountain use.
Is the Spike 359 tubeless?
Yes. The Bead Bite hooks hold a tubeless tire at low pressure; we tape and fit a valve on request.
Is ProWheelBuilder the manufacturer of the Spank 359 Spike With White Decal Rim?
No. Spank makes the rim. ProWheelBuilder is an independent custom wheel builder in Georgia that builds it into a finished wheel to your spec.
Is it tubeless-ready?
Spank lists the 359 Spike With White Decal Rim as a clincher rim. Ask us about tubeless conversion if you need it.
Not sure? Text or leave a voicemail on 470-253-0929 or email info@prowheelbuilder.com — you will be talking to the people who build the wheels.
