Looking for recommendations. Have 650b's now but would like to complelment them with a less rugged set of 700c's, maybe to run 40 mm or thereabout tires as opposed to 50's on the 650b's.
Thoughts?
Thoughts?
Inexpensive 700c Gravel Wheels
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tommybike
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Making the assumption that you're on disc wheels, I feel like you can get OEM take-offs or extra part wheelsets for a decent price in certain places like eBay or maybe randombikeparts.com... multiple brands use Formula for their OEM wheelsets. Scott/Syncros used to use DT Swiss but now also seem to use Formula for their lower/mid-end bikes.
Example: OVAL CONCEPTS 524 DISC 700C wheelset would be an OEM Fuji wheelset made by Formula that you might find in the $200-$250 range.
Example: OVAL CONCEPTS 524 DISC 700C wheelset would be an OEM Fuji wheelset made by Formula that you might find in the $200-$250 range.
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What are you calling a "gravel wheel". Extra wide rim?
I and most people I ride gravel with use what they use on the road maybe with a few more spokes so I'm not really sure what a 'gravel wheel' is.
I and most people I ride gravel with use what they use on the road maybe with a few more spokes so I'm not really sure what a 'gravel wheel' is.
That would be nice. Really something wider and a little tougher than your typical road wheel. Want to run 40mm tires so it would be sort of mid-way between the 32s I have on one road bike and the 50s on the 650b wheels.
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Wheels can be built in that price range with Bitex hubs and some Aluminum rims.
I have done some fairly rough trails on my Roubaix with 32 Gravel Kings, but the comfort and difference of going to 650b's with 50mm tires is remarkable. Did one ride in PA last year that even then I would have liked more (or a front shock system like the Lauf fork).
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Round ones are boring. I like egg shaped ones.
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As far as tougher, think higher spoke count - 32 spokes per wheel.
40mm or thereabout is a good width for mixed on road/off road riding IMO. But why not just use these on your existing 650b wheels or get a second set of 650b wheels? That will also give you a little lower low gearing for steep hill climbs. Right now, I'm running a set of 650b wheels I built up last winter on my gravel bike with 650b x 42 Rene Herse Babyshoe Pass Ultralights and the ride is superb.
Well part of the reason is that the 650s are busted and waiting a warranty from the manufacturer for 2 months. Thought 700s might be useful but actually not sure I could even go 40 with them, so it may be a tire switch. It's funny I was just discussiong the Rene Herse with someone on a ride today.
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Ahhh, another reason to go with another set of 650b's! :thumbsup:
But with a 700c set and a 650 b set I could switch out and try it as a gravel mullet bike.
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1,959 Posts
Check Velomine.com. They have a few inexpensive wheel options for gravel.
https://www.velomine.com/index.php?main_page=index&cPath=235_487&zenid=g2187isf7e6nbjltd063dnqu41
https://www.velomine.com/index.php?main_page=index&cPath=235_487&zenid=g2187isf7e6nbjltd063dnqu41
Thanks
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One issue with Velomine is that they apparently do not stress relieve their wheels. They even have a note one the box saying that the wheels may go out of true after the first ride or two and need to be re-trued.
Not good. Although I think I am taking this as an opportunity to learn how to fix my own wheels and hopefully build up a set, the site has a couple of kits. Once I get the one road wheel properly tensioned and a few test rides in, I may buy a kit or pieces and build my own. Covid hobby.
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I guess there is nothing wrong with buying Velomine wheels if you know how to build wheels properly, you can always stress relieve them yourself. I just am of the opinion that a builder who doesn't stress relieve their wheels is a poor wheel builder.
If you are really looking for a "Covid hobby" as you put it, why not just build a set from scratch? That will give you a much better warm fuzzy feeling than fixing someone else's sloppy work.
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