Reliable gravel wheelset on a budget?

[aliexpress_junkie]

I usually get farsports wheels paired with dtswiss hubs but for a more budget oriented build I'd like to consider cheaper options. Any brands that come to mind? Doesn't have to be super lightweight or have carbon spokes, just something reliable and true with easy to change bearings.

What I like about farsports rims is that I could get them easily without spoke holes too for tubeless setup, but this seems to be even more difficult to find at lower price...

[raisinberry777]

I would try a custom request with wide rims in whatever depth you prefer (>24mm internally is best for gravel tyres), ratchet hubs (they're basically all copies of DT Swiss) and Pillar Wing 20 spokes. Yuan An, Serenade, XMCarbonSpeed, etc.

Expect to pay $500-600USD including shipping.

It seems like not many of the budget vendors offer wheels without spoke holes.

At the moment I'm looking at trying to find some wide options given the positive reviews of the new Zipps. XMCarbonSpeed offer a 28mm int / 36mm ext rim, but only in 50mm depth at the moment:

https://xmcarbonspeed.com/Productinfo.asp?f=1650

They also offer some smaller depths in a 26/33 width profile.

On AliExpress, Easedon seem to offer some rims in a wide profile with 30mm internal / 36mm external in 35, 40 and 45mm depths:

https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005006549308069.html

Only seems like rims only at the moment but perhaps if you ask they could do a build with the Goldix hubs they offer on other wheels?

[kubackje]

Those wheels in 38mm Deep are also wide inside and really look good

https://a.aliexpress.com/_EQ1jTul

[PeterXu]

401g raw finish T800 D40CU-33 26ID 33OD rims without spoke holes in rim bead are going to be painted in matt finish.
https://www.xmcarbonspeed.com/Productinfo.asp?f=1647
Sorry not sure for what reason I am not able to attach pictures.

[Serge_K]

401g raw finish T800 D40CU-33 26ID 33OD rims without spoke holes in rim bead are going to be painted in matt finish.
https://www.xmcarbonspeed.com/Productinfo.asp?f=1647
Sorry not sure for what reason I am not able to attach pictures.

Peter sent me the pics on whatsapp to post.

[gloscherrybomb]

I would try a custom request with wide rims in whatever depth you prefer (>24mm internally is best for gravel tyres), ratchet hubs (they're basically all copies of DT Swiss) and Pillar Wing 20 spokes. Yuan An, Serenade, XMCarbonSpeed, etc.

Expect to pay $500-600USD including shipping.

It seems like not many of the budget vendors offer wheels without spoke holes.

At the moment I'm looking at trying to find some wide options given the positive reviews of the new Zipps. XMCarbonSpeed offer a 28mm int / 36mm ext rim, but only in 50mm depth at the moment:

https://xmcarbonspeed.com/Productinfo.asp?f=1650

They also offer some smaller depths in a 26/33 width profile.

This is exactly what I've gone for from PeterWheels on here. I love them and an absolute bargain.

[kubackje]

This is exactly what I've gone for from PeterWheels on here. I love them and an absolute bargain.

How is this Mana bottle cage on seat tube doing? They hold the bottle good? The one on downtube also looks good.

[gloscherrybomb]

The one on the seat tube (gifted from EliteWheels) is complete junk. So flexy, bottles eject in seconds. Didn't even keep it, straight in the bin. The downtube one is a good cannondale cage, but I've taken that off too. I now have 2 Alpkit carbon cages which are super super secure.

[SirBikealot]

This is exactly what I've gone for from PeterWheels on here. I love them and an absolute bargain.

What are your wheels shown in the picture exactly? I love undulated wheels and my gravel bike is desperately looking for an upgrade 

btw.: really nice looking bike!

[PeterXu]

401g raw finish T800 D40CU-33 26ID 33OD rims without spoke holes in rim bead are going to be painted in matt finish.
https://www.xmcarbonspeed.com/Productinfo.asp?f=1647
Sorry not sure for what reason I am not able to attach pictures.

Built with  Carbon Speed 36T rachets hubs, Sapim CX-Ray spokes, Sapim self-securing nipples. 1349g/pair

[gloscherrybomb]

What are your wheels shown in the picture exactly? I love undulated wheels and my gravel bike is desperately looking for an upgrade 

btw.: really nice looking bike!

Custom hubs made in taiwan center lock straight pull 36T rachets 100x12/142x12 with Shimano driver

Pillar wing 20 spokes

Pillar nipples

3540mm wavy rims T800 version 24/24H UD matt without holes in rim bed

[SirBikealot]

Custom hubs made in taiwan center lock straight pull 36T rachets 100x12/142x12 with Shimano driver

Pillar wing 20 spokes

Pillar nipples

3540mm wavy rims T800 version 24/24H UD matt without holes in rim bed

and now the importent question i forgot : where did you get them from and are you happy with them?

[raisinberry777]

An update on my end - I have ordered the 50mm deep/ 28/36mm wide rims from XMCarbonSpeed with Pillar Wing 20s. They are made in a version without spoke holes too which is nice for setup. Peter at XMCarbonSpeed is great to deal with - hopefully the wheelset is as good as the communication.