Quote from: Serge_K on October 12, 2026, 10:54:30 AM
https://zencarbonbike.com/product/gravel/
This shows 35C upwards.
It sounds to me like you're ignoring ETRTO standards by design, not by mistake. Have you done testing that makes you say that a 32mm internal rim is safe with a 35C tyre? i dont actually care about ETRTO, i think they're incompetent, but i do worry about the safety of 35C tyres on 32mm inner width rims.

Hello

As we explained previously, the 35C minimum tyre width was simply an error in the published specifications.

When uploading and updating large amounts of technical information, occasional mistakes can happen. Unfortunately, this was one of them.

We've since reviewed the information and corrected our website. The tyre size range for the 32mm internal-width gravel rim is now listed as 45C–70C.
You can see the updated specifications here:

https://zencarbonbike.com/product/gravel/

There was never any intention to deliberately disregard tyre compatibility standards. It was simply an error in the website information, which has now been corrected.

We appreciate you bringing it to our attention.

Best regards,

ZEN Carbon 80/80mm Wheelset – 1,509.6g Actual Weight, with Potential Builds Down to 1,379g
l rear, I thought that was a pretty respectable result.

Actual wheelset specifications:

* Rims: 80mm front / 80mm rear
* Internal width: 24mm
* Maximum external width: 34.08mm
* Rim construction: Lightweight layup, approximately 580g per rim 135kg Load limitation
* Hooked, tubeless-ready
* UD paint-free matte finish
* Drainage holes and spoke access holes in the rim bed
* Spokes: 4mm carbon, 20 front / 20 rear
* Hidden nipples
* Hubs: H-Works SR270 Silver
* Hub weight: 279g ±5g per set
* 36T ratchet system
* Steel bearings
* Centre Lock disc interface
* SRAM XDR freehub

The customer specifically wanted a wider internal rim for their TT setup and preferred the more substantial rim construction rather than chasing the absolute lowest weight.

We also offers a Super Ultralight rim construction at approximately 540g per rim, with a 100-110kg system weight limit.

Using those rims with the lighter ZC215RC hubset, 3.2mm carbon spokes and hidden nipples, the estimated complete wheelset weights are:

Configuration Estimated weight
80/80mm 1,379g
75/80mm 1,359g
75/75mm 1,339g

The 80/80mm Super Ultralight configuration would potentially save around 130g.

Quote from: ZenCarbonBike on October 09, 2026, 11:01:09 AM
It's also worth mentioning that we offer some rim profiles without spoke access holes in the rim bed, eliminating the need for conventional tubeless rim tape to seal those holes.

Do you offer 50mm without spoke access holes? If so, could you post wight and dimensions for that rim? thanks

Quote from: peraal on October 16, 2026, 06:36:15 AM
Do you offer 50mm without spoke access holes? If so, could you post wight and dimensions for that rim? thanks

Hi, thanks for your question.

Yes, we do offer carbon rims without spoke access holes in the rim bed, including various 50mm options.

As we're a carbon fibre rim manufacturer, we have an extensive range of rim profiles covering road, gravel and mountain bikes, with different widths, depths and carbon layups. Unfortunately, there are simply too many variations to list all the specifications, dimensions and weights here on the forum.

To help narrow things down, we'd need a little more information about exactly what you're looking for.

* Is the rim intended for road gravel or MTB use?
* What internal rim width are you looking for?
* Are you planning to build the wheels with carbon spokes or traditional stainless steel spokes?
* Are you wanting a complete wheelset
* We do at least 3 layup in most of our rim what is your total load limit in Kilograms that's your Bodyweight including bike bottle and all luggage.

Once we know your requirements, we can check which rim profiles are suitable and provide the relevant technical drawings, dimensions and weights.

You're welcome to reply here on the forum, although we don't always check it regularly, so for a quicker response we'd recommend contacting us directly, particularly via WhatsApp.

ZEN Carbon Bike

Website: https://www.zencarbonbike.com

Email: [email protected]

WhatsApp: +86 15160726618

Happy to help you find something suitable!

Quote from: ZenCarbonBike on October 16, 2026, 03:31:06 AM
ZEN Carbon 80/80mm Wheelset – 1,509.6g Actual Weight, with Potential Builds Down to 1,379g
l rear, I thought that was a pretty respectable result.

Actual wheelset specifications:

* Rims: 80mm front / 80mm rear
* Internal width: 24mm
* Maximum external width: 34.08mm
* Rim construction: Lightweight layup, approximately 580g per rim 135kg Load limitation
* Hooked, tubeless-ready
* UD paint-free matte finish
* Drainage holes and spoke access holes in the rim bed
* Spokes: 4mm carbon, 20 front / 20 rear
* Hidden nipples
* Hubs: H-Works SR270 Silver
* Hub weight: 279g ±5g per set
* 36T ratchet system
* Steel bearings
* Centre Lock disc interface
* SRAM XDR freehub

The customer specifically wanted a wider internal rim for their TT setup and preferred the more substantial rim construction rather than chasing the absolute lowest weight.

We also offers a Super Ultralight rim construction at approximately 540g per rim, with a 100-110kg system weight limit.

Using those rims with the lighter ZC215RC hubset, 3.2mm carbon spokes and hidden nipples, the estimated complete wheelset weights are:

Configuration Estimated weight
80/80mm 1,379g
75/80mm 1,359g
75/75mm 1,339g

The 80/80mm Super Ultralight configuration would potentially save around 130g.

Is a 16 spoke option possible? At least for the front.


Cheers

Quote from: Majoeric on October 16, 2026, 07:53:21 AM
Is a 16 spoke option possible? At least for the front.


Cheers

Hi,

Unfortunately, we don't offer a 16-spoke front option, but we do have another carbon-spoke hub available, the ZSL ZC250RC.

Hub specifications:

* Hubset weight: 250g
* Front hub: 74.6g
* Rear hub: 175.4g
* Black finish
* 18-hole front and rear
* 2:1 lacing pattern (12 crossed / 6 crossed)

We can build this with 18 spokes front and rear, or alternatively 18 front / 20 rear if preferred, using a different rear hub.

This would be another option worth considering.

Quote from: Sander2177 on October 05, 2026, 03:39:03 AMhave a set of these, although I haven't ridden them yet as my new SL9 build is taking so long to come together with the new paint and waiting for a few parts.

Personally, I think these rims are best suited to 30–32 mm tyres. I have a 30 mm tyre fitted on the front and it measures just over 32 mm on the rim. I don't have a photo of the rear measurement, but from memory the 32 mm tyre also measured a little over its stated size.

You have to remember that the actual tyre width once fitted can be quite different from the labelled size, particularly on a wide internal rim. So despite the 36 mm maximum external width of the rim, I personally wouldn't be looking to run 34 or 35 mm tyres on these wheels. 30–32 mm would be my choice.

Hey Sander,

I noticed you have silver hubs and not the black ones advertised on their site (assuming these are the VaporLite II 50's?). Is this something you requested? If so was there any other changes you requested?

By any chance have you had a chance to ride them yet?

Cheers

Quote from: BbCurly on October 19, 2026, 06:52:18 AMHey Sander,

I noticed you have silver hubs and not the black ones advertised on their site (assuming these are the VaporLite II 50's?). Is this something you requested? If so was there any other changes you requested?

By any chance have you had a chance to ride them yet?

Cheers

Hey mate,

No, these are actually the 60mm rims, not the 50s.

These are what they are calling the VaporLite Ultra Plus, which Zen also offers alongside the VaporLite Ultra.

The main difference between the Ultra and Ultra Plus is the hubs. The Ultra Plus uses the lighter 215g hubs, whereas the standard Ultra uses 235g hubs.
No everything is on there site so if you want something more bespoke best to WhatsApp that includes silver hubs and different spoke width, hidden nipple and regular nipple spokes

Mine are built with 4mm carbon spokes and hidden nipples.

I also requested a couple of other changes:

* Laser-etched logos – something Zen has only recently started offering.
* Satin finish on the rims rather than the standard finish. This adds up to around 30g to the wheelset.

As for riding them, unfortunately not yet, mate! My SL9 build has taken far longer than expected with the custom paintwork and waiting for various parts.

I'm hoping to finally get the SL9 build finished this week, so fingers crossed I'll actually get a chance to ride them soon!

Nice one! I can't wait to see them on the SL9 and hear how they go.

I've got a Tavelo Arden in that wild marbled blue on the way - my first disc brake roadie! Yeah i'm wanting to go pretty safe 50mm, sapin spokes, exposed (brass?) nipples so the VaporLite II 50's seem just right. Possibly silver hubs and spokes.

Can't wait.

Quote from: BbCurly on October 19, 2026, 03:05:07 PMNice one! I can't wait to see them on the SL9 and hear how they go.

I've got a Tavelo Arden in that wild marbled blue on the way - my first disc brake roadie! Yeah i'm wanting to go pretty safe 50mm, sapin spokes, exposed (brass?) nipples so the VaporLite II 50's seem just right. Possibly silver hubs and spokes.

Can't wait.

Me too it's been almost 12weeks! and it's that time when the British weather turns!
Sapim spoke ok ok why brass nipples? I has brass on my winter wheels especially good for damp and wet weather prevents galvanic corrosion.
Well I like the Silver Spokes I'm planning a gravel build and if I can I'm thinking Sapim Silver Spokes, Silver Hub and hidden nipples maybe but if I go tubless (I use tubes on road) then have to have rim bed spokes holes!
Anyway pretty solid option should still be light!

The Tavelo looks like a great bike sounds like a great build!

I live and ride by the ocean so just about every set of wheels i've had alloy nipples corrode and crack so whilst the option for brass is there i thought i might give it a try?

Good Day Everyone

ZEN Carbon Bike – New 26mm Internal Road/Gravel Carbon Rims Currently in Testing

We're currently testing a new range of wider carbon rim profiles, designed for road and gravel applications.

With more road cyclists moving towards wider tyres, particularly 32mm, 34mm and 35mm, we think there's an interesting opportunity for wider internal rim profiles.

Rim specifications:

* Internal width: 26mm
* External width at the tyre bead: 32mm
* Maximum external width: approximately 33/34mm
* Available depths: 40, 45, 50, 55, 60 and 65mm

Four carbon layup options

* Normal weight – 110kg load limit
* Lightweight – 100kg load limit
* Superlight – 100kg load limit
* Ultralight – 90kg load limit

Individual rim weights range from approximately 360g to 555g, depending on rim depth and layup.

These profiles are currently being evaluated and tested before we consider adding them to our range.

The 26mm internal width is particularly interesting for wider road tyre setups, although actual inflated tyre widths will obviously vary depending on the tyre manufacturer and construction.

We're interested in hearing what the Chinertown community thinks.

Are you currently running 32–35mm tyres on your road bike? Would a 26mm internal rim appeal to you, or do you feel that 23–25mm internal is still the sweet spot for modern road wheelsets?

We've attached the rim profile drawings.

For 32+ mm tires the 26 mm internal width is great, but I feel more people wanting like 25mm internal and 34mm external for best aero with 32 mm tires.

Quote from: martocom on October 21, 2026, 02:58:45 AMFor 32+ mm tires the 26 mm internal width is great, but I feel more people wanting like 25mm internal and 34mm external for best aero with 32 mm tires.

for 32C, I want 36mm wide rims, not 34. But i agree that 32mm wide feels outdated/too narrow for 32C on road, and i'm not putting anyone who weighs 75+kg on anything narrower than 32C.

Quote from: Serge_K on October 21, 2026, 03:08:08 AMfor 32C, I want 36mm wide rims, not 34. But i agree that 32mm wide feels outdated/too narrow for 32C on road, and i'm not putting anyone who weighs 75+kg on anything narrower than 32C.

I had posted on Zen's FB post of the new rim, wanting a 26 internal/37 and 40 external for 32c and 35c tires. They replied they do currently have a 25mm internal/37mm external rim. I am getting some prices and options from Zen currently on this wheel. For a 32c tire, that will likely measure 35mm, I think that is a great spec. I do wish there was 40mm external option too for a 35c that would measure around 38mm but that is being very picky to me specific wants.