When it comes to carbon fiber wheels, stiffer is not always better. Some wheels can be overly stiff, leading to a harsh ride that may require you to lower your air pressure to compensate. On the flip side, wheels that are too compliant miss out on that feeling of precise tracking in rough terrain. When designing their new set of wheels for cross country racing and trail riding, Crank Brothers took a hard look at stiffness vs. compliance and delved a little deeper to figure out the ideal balance of each. The Synthesis XCT Trail 11 Boost Wheelset is the result of this effort, featuring a front-specific wheel tuned for compliance, improved grip & handling, and a bit more vibration damping, paired with a rear wheel that's tuned for stiffness and exceptional tracking at speed. The rims are then laced up to the Synthesis 11 hubs with ridiculously quick and snappy Industry Nine Hydra internals. To understand the Synthesis XCT Wheelset, we need to look at the differences between each rim. The front rim uses a wider profile, with an inner rim width of 26. 5mm that supports wider tires and does a better job absorbing trail chatter, meanwhile amping up the traction to keep you locked into your line in loose corners. This rim is laced up with 28 spokes -- 4 fewer than the rear wheel, allowing just a little more compliance to elevate vibration damping. In the back, Crank Bro's opt for a slightly narrower rim with 24. 5mm internal width, laced up with a whopping 32 spokes for a stiffer feel that offers undeniable control, power, and tracking. With the narrower internal width, you have the option of running a narrower rear tire for improved rolling resistance and a sharper cornering edge. Since nobody wants to waste their efforts on a hub that doesn't react quickly, Crank Brothers implements the Synthesis 11 hub with Industry Nine Hydra internals that provide near-instantaneous 0. 52-degree engagement. This is nearly six-times quicker than their predecessor, and means you'...