Gravel wheels

How to choose your gravel wheels

A gravel wheel must withstand impacts a road wheel never encounters, take wide tyres and support disc braking. Four factors matter, and diameter isn’t always the first.

700c or 650b

• The 700c (the same diameter as a road wheel) is the standard: better efficiency on fast sections, easier rolling over obstacles and the widest choice of tyres.
• The 650b is smaller and lets you fit much wider tyres while keeping a similar overall wheel diameter. More comfort, more grip and more air volume — at the cost of a little efficiency on tarmac.
• Many gravel frames accept both. Check what yours allows before changing diameter: tyre clearance and ground clearance won’t be the same.

Internal rim width

This measurement determines which tyre you can fit. Modern gravel rims have 21 to 25 mm internal width, which properly supports a 38 to 50 mm tyre. A rim that’s too narrow for a large tyre lets it deform in corners; a wider rim adds volume and improves stability at low pressure.

Tubeless ready or inner tube

Almost every wheel in this category is tubeless ready, and that’s just what gravel riding calls for: running lower pressures without pinch flats, with sealant to plug thorn punctures and small cuts. Wheels described as ‘clincher’ (tubetype) are not designed to be made airtight — they require an inner tube.

Rotor mounting and axle type

• Centre Lock is by far the most common; a few wheels are still 6-bolt. Adapters exist in one direction, but not the other.
• The axles are thru-axles : 12x100 mm at the front and 12x142 mm at the rear on almost all gravel frames.
• The freehub body must match your cassette — HG, Microspline, XDR or N3W. It’s the most costly purchasing mistake in this category, and it takes a minute to check.

Individually or as a pair

Wheels are usually sold in pairs, but front and rear wheels are also available separately: ideal for replacing a buckled wheel or building a second set. A few front wheels are also available in a dynamo, with an integrated dynamo hub — a solution for long, self-supported rides.

Aluminium or carbon

Thealuminium handles hard impacts better, can be repaired and costs less: a sensible choice for demanding gravel riding. The carbon saves weight and adds stiffness, with a real benefit over long, fast distances. On rocky tracks, strength often matters more than grams.

To find out more: How to choose your gravel bike wheels

See also: Gravel tyres · Freehub body · Wheel axles and quick releases