Better known for their robust wheels, Ison have been developing their Excite XC wheels for long enough to give them a durability edge in economy class.
At 1,800g they’re light enough to save weight on most original equipment wheels. Several months under seriously heavyweight, pedal-stomping riders has proved they’re plenty strong too.
There’s a bit of flex through the skinny double butted-spokes when you work them hard but nothing too disturbing for a cross-country wheel.
Where their evolution really shows is the six-pawl freehub, which delivers impressive reliability and quick pick up from quiet running internals. Just make sure the cassette lockring is tight or the soft splines will scar easily.