Quote from: JensenMacD on October 21, 2026, 06:30:27 AMI 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.

i like the sound of that, please do report. I ll be buying 2 wheelsets for road soon, either optimized for 32C or 35C. But nothing less.

Quote from: Serge_K on October 21, 2026, 08:33:53 AMi like the sound of that, please do report. I ll be buying 2 wheelsets for road soon, either optimized for 32C or 35C. But nothing less.

The wheel looks promising and lots of options to spec out how you want. I asked for a quote with sapim and carbon spoke options to be sent to me with H works and their inhouse hub, so I can review. Lots of other options they can spec, you just have to ask. They also have a 29mm internal option with the same outer widths.

My struggle is figuring out if this is worth the upgrade from my XMCS (26/33/34.18). If I didn't have a set of wheels or needed a set, I would go with these. That 25/35/37 seems perfect for a 32c tire and I would say fine for a rear 35c tire. I just don't know if the 2-3mm justifies a new wheel set. That is for me to figure out but damn, they are tempting. 

*Note the prices in my excel are not including shipping. Just the price of the built wheel for those specs*

Quote from: JensenMacD on October 21, 2026, 08:54:33 AMThe wheel looks promising and lots of options to spec out how you want. I asked for a quote with sapim and carbon spoke options to be sent to me with H works and their inhouse hub, so I can review. Lots of other options they can spec, you just have to ask. They also have a 29mm internal option with the same outer widths.

My struggle is figuring out if this is worth the upgrade from my XMCS (26/33/34.18). If I didn't have a set of wheels or needed a set, I would go with these. That 25/35/37 seems perfect for a 32c tire and I would say fine for a rear 35c tire. I just don't know if the 2-3mm justifies a new wheel set. That is for me to figure out but damn, they are tempting. 

*Note the prices in my excel are not including shipping. Just the price of the built wheel for those specs*

thank you. if your frame allows it, and your weight / riding justifies it, you might consider optimizing for 35C, and the conti gp5000 on a wide rim measures 40-41mm. At that point, you need a rim that's 40-42mm wide, currently marketed as gravel. when i bought my current rear rim (34mm), it was labelled gravel. Now it's road. Same rim, different time. But that then opens ETRTO shenanigans i dont have answers to. I created a thread on 35C shenanigans, and POTOOOO is leading the charge there, testing (and running) 35C tyres on rims that ETRTO say aren't appropriate. And he's taking downhill KOMs, and weights 80+kg.
Changing wheels only for a couple of mm is harder to justify than to jump to a new paradigm. Not that it's a good idea either, your mileage may vary

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Need some feedback and help on a wheelset I'm trying to get from Zen Carbon Bike.

Looking to build a gravel wheel set with the following spec:

• 29mm internal Width
• 50mm Depth
• DT240 24/24
• Carbon Spokes
• Lightweight rim option for both front and rear

My questions are:

• Are the lightweight rim option good enough for gravel use?
• Is it worthwhile to go dt swiss over other hub options Zen Carbon offers?
• Anything else I should be aware or concern of?

zara, any 80-88 profile for TT?

im debating between a set of zen wheels https://zencarbonbike.com/product/vaporlite-%e2%85%b1-50-cs/ and a set of xmcs wheels https://www.xmcarbonspeed.cc/products/xmcs-26mm-iw-58mm-depth-ul-new-layup-700c-road-gravel-bike-wheelsets-with-new-hs606-ultralite-20-20h-straight-through-version-hubs. I currently have rene herse 31mm tires measuring 34mm WAM on zipp 303 firecrest wheels which are 25mm hookless. I am in the process of building up a v1 enve melee and will eventually probably run 32mm or larger tires. what would people recommend? leaning towards the slightly wider XMCS set

Quote from: bryanbanducci on October 21, 2026, 04:32:38 PMim debating between a set of zen wheels https://zencarbonbike.com/product/vaporlite-%e2%85%b1-50-cs/ and a set of xmcs wheels https://www.xmcarbonspeed.cc/products/xmcs-26mm-iw-58mm-depth-ul-new-layup-700c-road-gravel-bike-wheelsets-with-new-hs606-ultralite-20-20h-straight-through-version-hubs. I currently have rene herse 31mm tires measuring 34mm WAM on zipp 303 firecrest wheels which are 25mm hookless. I am in the process of building up a v1 enve melee and will eventually probably run 32mm or larger tires. what would people recommend? leaning towards the slightly wider XMCS set

Bryan i'm in the same position (but the steel spoke versions) but building up a Tavelo Arden - my first disc roadie. I can't decide between the two brands. Both seem to get great reviews. XMCS being the more well known of the two but totally open to Zen as well