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650b Gravel Wheel Recommendations
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I'm in the market for a second wheelset for my gravel bike. It came with a 700c wheelset that I'm happy with. However, I want a 650b wheelset so that I can use 2.1" mountain bike tires (the widest by bike can handle) for rougher gravel and singletrack.

There have been a couple threads on this topic over the past few years, and I've read those, but looking to see if there's anything new in the past year.

On my radar from those threads and other recommendations are:

DT Swiss G 1800 Spline
Mason x Hunt Adventure Sport
Easton EA70 AX
Shimano GRX WH-RX570

These all seem reasonable and $500 or less, which is where I'd like to stay unless there is very good reason to pay more. These are just for casual training rides so I don't need the best, just something that will get the job done.

Opinions on these wheels? Are there any other wheels I should be considering that you've had good experience with?
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Re: 650b Gravel Wheel Recommendations [jwmott] [ In reply to ]
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I picked up a set of used Stans Valor 27.5" mtb wheels for my wifes gravel bike and she loves them. It may be worth broadening your search a little as some older MTB wheels will likely be less expensive, and work just as well.
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Re: 650b Gravel Wheel Recommendations [jwmott] [ In reply to ]
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jwmott wrote:
I'm in the market for a second wheelset for my gravel bike. It came with a 700c wheelset that I'm happy with. However, I want a 650b wheelset so that I can use 2.1" mountain bike tires (the widest by bike can handle) for rougher gravel and singletrack.

There have been a couple threads on this topic over the past few years, and I've read those, but looking to see if there's anything new in the past year.

On my radar from those threads and other recommendations are:

DT Swiss G 1800 Spline
Mason x Hunt Adventure Sport
Easton EA70 AX
Shimano GRX WH-RX570

These all seem reasonable and $500 or less, which is where I'd like to stay unless there is very good reason to pay more. These are just for casual training rides so I don't need the best, just something that will get the job done.

Opinions on these wheels? Are there any other wheels I should be considering that you've had good experience with?

i'm within a day or so of publishing a review of - believe it or not - spinergy wheels in the style you're asking about. what i'm riding around on cost under $750 a pair.

Dan Empfield
aka Slowman
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Re: 650b Gravel Wheel Recommendations [jwmott] [ In reply to ]
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A couple options that are a bit more than your list but are worth considering:

HED Emporia GA
$640 (after using their Black Friday coupon...though I've seen them on other online retailers on sale for $560)
1600 grams
25mm internal // 30mm external
https://hedcycling.com/...oria-ga-performance/

Custom wheelset using HED Belgium G Rim
$558 and up depending on hubs
25mm internal // 30mm external
https://www.speedgearbike.com/.../1192434/hed-belgium?

I don't have any affiliation with the builder but had them do a 700c set using HED Emporia rims (the previous name of the Belgium G Rims) and DT Swiss 350. I was really happy with the build. DT swiss hubs are great and HED makes really good alloy rims. It was my first time setting up a rim as tubeless an found it to be a really easy process (with the 700c rim and conti terra speed tires).

Matt
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Re: 650b Gravel Wheel Recommendations [jwmott] [ In reply to ]
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Light Bicycle
https://www.lightbicycle.com/carbon-road-gravel-cx-disc-bike/wheels/--650B
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Re: 650b Gravel Wheel Recommendations [jwmott] [ In reply to ]
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We sell a lot of GR1600 and G1800's at my shop. I personally run the GR1600's and am very happy with them. Slightly better hub (350 vs 370) and a touch lighter (about 80 grams from memory).
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Re: 650b Gravel Wheel Recommendations [jwmott] [ In reply to ]
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I recently installed a pair of Gravelking SK 650 x 53 on the Shimano GRX570 wheels and I think those rims were too narrow (21.6mm internal) for that tire. I would look for wider, ideally 25mm internal.

Another great rim for handbuilt is WTB KOM i25.
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Re: 650b Gravel Wheel Recommendations [brando] [ In reply to ]
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Boyd Wheels especially with Cyber Monday sale of 25% off. I have a 700cc and 650b for my No.22.
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Re: 650b Gravel Wheel Recommendations [Chemist] [ In reply to ]
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I have used the Emporia GA 650b wheelset for about a year with 650b X 50 tires on my gravel bike. Relatively lightweight, good bearings, easy to maintain true, not too stiff a ride. Tremendous value for the $$$.

I have ridden HED wheelsets for years as I have found them to be very rugged. 28,000 mi on a set of Ardennes on my commuter bike which still roll smooth and true. And the HED people pick up the phone if you have any issues.
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Re: 650b Gravel Wheel Recommendations [brando] [ In reply to ]
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Thanks for the feedback. Yeah I noticed that they were narrower internal than the others. I'm a bit confused on the necessity of the wide rims as my 10 year old hardtail mountain bike has 17mm internal rims and I have 2.4 inch tires (with tubes) on them without issues. But I do understand that the general recommendation seems to be wider is better for wider tires. Maybe a tubeless thing?
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Re: 650b Gravel Wheel Recommendations [ahumblecycler] [ In reply to ]
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Do you have the $425 Prologue model? https://boydcycling.com/...lloy-gravel-wheelset

These are intriguing, especially if they are going to be 25% off Monday.
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Re: 650b Gravel Wheel Recommendations [jwmott] [ In reply to ]
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jwmott wrote:
Do you have the $425 Prologue model? https://boydcycling.com/...lloy-gravel-wheelset

These are intriguing, especially if they are going to be 25% off Monday.


I have these two:
Jocassee 650b https://boydcycling.com/...cassee-650b-wheelset
CCC 700c https://boydcycling.com/...lloy-gravel-wheelset

I may buy the Altamonts and set them up with skinnier tires so that I can have all purpose ones on the CCC: https://boydcycling.com/...-alloy-disc-wheelset
Last edited by: ahumblecycler: Nov 26, 22 12:18
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Re: 650b Gravel Wheel Recommendations [jwmott] [ In reply to ]
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I think that is right that wider is better for tubeless - or more accurately, wider is better for the lower pressures that you can run when you go tubeless, since you have fewer psi supporting the sidewall, you want more rim underneath in the corners (or even inserts, but i have not tried that yet).
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