I am now about a year into my bike with approximately 1,500 miles. I’ve loved every minute of it (even the tough climbs). Unfortunately I’m about 80% paved, 20% gravel right now as most of my rides originate from my house. It is pretty hilly where I live so basically every ride has some good elevation gain.
I now have the itch to get a new wheelset. My bike has the stock WTB ST i23 TCS 2.0 wheels. They have an internal width of 23mm. It is tough to tell but the depth appears to be around 20mm. The hubs are not labeled (either Shimano RS470 or Novatec D981SB-CL-12). From everything I’ve read, the weight is around 2200g for this wheelset. My bike can fit up to 45mm tires (Salsa Warbird). I weigh approximately 150lb and I’m a “safer” rider now that I’m older so I’m not too brutal on my bike.
I know a new wheelset is not going to be a magic change but I do believe it would be noticeable based on the weight improvement and obvious psychological benefits.
I’m looking to keep the cost down as much as possible. I’ve narrowed it down to too many options though.
I have a GRX 11-42T setup so I’m assuming I will need the Shimano HG freehub.
Any recommendations? Also, is it worth going with a true tubeless option if it is offered (no center channel holes on the rim)?
- ICAN G40 – 25mm inner width, no choice of hub (comes with ICAN D28). $700 before shipping, can probably get a discount. https://icancycling.com/products/700c-g40
- 9Velo GV35.0 – 26mm inner width, no real choice of hub (just ratchets). $1000 (unsure of discounts). https://www.9velo.com/products/9velo-2024-gravel-disc-gv-20-series-24h-24h
- Elite Wheels SLR Gravel (aliexpress route) – 25mm inner width. $450. https://www.aliexpress.us/item/3256804388448446.htm
- Elite Wheels Marvel G36 – 25mm inner width. Unsure how much of an upgrade this is vs the aliexpress version besides shipping speed and potentially better support. $839. https://www.elite-wheels.com/product/marvel-g36-performance-gravel-carbon-wheels/
- Light Bicycle WR35 – 25mm inner width, fully customizable (DT Swiss 350 hub). $1050 w/shipping. Unsure of discounts. https://www.lightbicycle.com/700C-tubeless-bicycle-wheels-32mm-wide-35mm-deep-clincher-for-cyclocross-road-and-gravel-bikes.html
- BTLOS WARC34 – 24mm inner width, DT Swiss 350. $900 w/shipping. https://btlos.com/all-road-34mm-depth-31mm-external-width-clincher-disc-carbon-wheelset
Should I be looking at anything else or something completely different? I have a feeling I would be very happy with any of these but way too many options and time to overthink/second guess. Thanks so much!
by sdwindansea
4 Comments
BTLOS with Bitex or BTLOS hubs. Pillar Aero spikes. Brass nipples. No spoke holes in the rim bed. Hooked rims.
Request in the checkout notes that weep holes be drilled. It’s free. And you can get 24h front and 28r spoke count if you want, just add the note request.
$630-660 delivered to the US, I believe.
As good as, or better than, the DT 350 wheelset for a couple hundred less.
Everything depends on the tire you fit on there and yes good wheels make a huge difference IMHO on the ride.
Have you considered the Elite Wheels Gravel Aero+ ? 32mm internal width and 45mm tires sounds like a lot more cushion and better aero profile. Plus they’re only $680 on AliExpress
I’ve been running the icans for the last year now (about 4k miles) and they’ve been great. LBS just went through my bike the other day and they are holding up perfectly hub was good spokes tight. 100% would buy them again.
I have the Elitewheels SLR Gravel and 9velo GV45, the latter is a bit lighter and has better hubs but they’re over twice the price (code Hambini10 helps though). Both wheelsets have worked really well for me (I run them with different tires to have an easy swap for different conditions).
For just recreational riding I’d go with the Elitewheels ones every time, although the hubs might not be as good they are still well sealed and have been maintenance free so far (2000+ miles). Not sure if you were intending to keep using your old wheels but if not the saving on the new wheels I’d put towards the cost of doing that as having 2 sets of wheels is great (could run the old ones with road slicks and new ones with something like an RS Pro, or RX Pro if your trails were muddy).
I run my best set with Hutchinson Caracal Race 45mm and use when it’s dry and I’m riding to trails (I have at least 15 miles of road each way + more to link gravel sections), despite being semi slick they work brilliantly off-road (except in mud…), and are very fast on road
I’d also say with clearance for 45mm tires then 25mm internal works well, you’ll be able to run 45’s without issues. On 32mm internal runs my 45mm tires actual come up as just over 48mm so might start to give you clearance issues, depending on how generous the frame manufacturer has been with the stated clearances