My wheels are heavy and I am tempted to change them with some lighter carbon wheels. I know my bike is a rigid mtb but gravel wheels seems like the best choice for my use. I use the bike on tarmac too.
The problem is that my bike has 15×100 in front and 12×142 in the back. My local bike store said the roval terra could be modified to fit the front but they cost 1500 dollars. My drivetrain is 2×10 deore. Thank you in advance
by norwegian_wood95
10 Comments
With a good majority of wheels the 12x or 15x can be changed with a set of end caps. I’d suggest looking at Elite wheels. Best value for the money right now.
There’s always some Reynolds out there for like $800. Decent hubs too. Or try Hunt.
“Budget” and “carbon” don’t mix. Either you can afford good carbon wheels or you can’t afford carbon wheels.
Are you racing? No? Save your money bro, times are tough.
Look at some of the mainstream Chinese brands (e.g., Elite and Ican). These days they are 90%-95% as good as the “domestic” brands (which mostly make all their wheels in China anyway). You are going to want MTB non-“boost” wheels. MTB non-boost (or superboost) wheels have your spacing. As joelav indicated, you can buy endcaps and other parts to change your wheels to match multiple axle configurations. If you want to do that, make sure that the company selling the wheels is using standard brands of wheels OR they will sell you the parts. If you buy wheels with no-name hubs, you may not be able to get parts.
Lastly, most carbon wheels are hookless. Really make sure that you are not going to exceed the hookless pressures before you go in that direction. Look up the Silca tire pressure calculator to get a sense of where you are going to be and then check your wheels spec on max pressure. I would give it at least a 30% buffer between your recommended pressure and the wheels max pressure.
I’ve been happy with a set of Light Bicycle carbon wheels. I got the WR38s and with Bitex hubs spec’d I think they came in at around 1350g and $900 shipped. They have sales around Thanksgiving!
Facebook Marketplace is your friend. Be patient and check for deals regularly. I just picked up a lightly used set that retails for $1600 for $700 a few weeks ago.
That said, carbon is just a bike industry gimmick to convince us that money can buy happiness. I can almost guarantee that upgrading your wheels won’t actually make riding any easier or more fun. Save your money for a cool trip to ride in a place you’ve never been before. The memories will last longer than a set of carbon rims.
Why not even lighter alloy wheels for even less money than budget carbon?
I run Superteam Carbon wheels, a Chinese brand. Don’t let anyone gate keep, they’re fantastic at a 3rd of the price. I hear elite wheels are also very good.
Is that frame carbon? Personally I wouldn’t bother. I know everyone says upgrading wheels are the best bang for buck, but on an entry level frame with Deore components, your entire bike is heavy. Carbon wheels will help, sure, but IMO that money is better invested towards a new bike.