Inside width actually is turning into the buzzphrase of the day when the dialog turns to gravel wheels. Wider tyres ideally want a wider rim to help the sidewalls and resist the tyre rolling over in heavy cornering. As with many others, Shimano’s newest GRX wheels are wider than their predecessors, as on this case they’re additionally deeper and fabricated from carbon.
What’s new?
The present crop of GRX wheels took the type of an aluminium wheelset that’s obtainable in both 650b or 700c, with a 22mm rim peak and a 21.6mm inner width. These aren’t archaic numbers by any stretch, however by the requirements of the greatest gravel wheelsets of immediately, they’re just a little dated.
In response, with the all-new GRX wheels, Shimano has produced a way more fashionable rim profile; 30mm deep, with a 25mm inner width. This could accommodate, based on Shimano, tyres between 32mm and 50mm. It can in all probability be potential to exceed this 50mm restrict, however you’re more likely to lose the optimised sidewall help.
The 30mm depth is a middle-of-the-road depth compared to the competitors. Shimano states this depth was chosen to raised carry out in heavy winds. Not going for a deep profile additionally retains the burden right down to a decent 1,461g (636g entrance, 822g rear).
Naturally, the edges are tubeless-ready, although it’s unclear as as to if the wheels will come arrange tubeless on the level of sale or if that will probably be right down to the client. There’s additionally no point out of rim measurement – a 700c choice is a given, however as there isn’t any point out of 650b, it seems that Shimano sees this as a diminishing commonplace within the sector, and never price supporting.
Cup and cone hubs
Whereas the edges could have acquired a contemporary overhaul the hubs stay one thing of a throwback. A 24-spoke depend entrance and rear, with centre lock discs and thru-axles are all very modern, however the cup and cone bearings are actually a alternative price mentioning.
The vast majority of high-end gravel wheelsets, notably carbon ones, go for sealed cartridge bearings. These GRX wheels hold the identical cup and cone system from their alloy siblings, mirroring Shimano’s dedication to the system that’s evident once you bear in mind their high-end Ultegra and Dura-Ace wheels nonetheless roll on unfastened ball bearings.
How effectively they maintain up in opposition to one of the best gravel wheels in the marketplace would require some testing.
Pricing
When you’re after a set, then you definately’ll must funds $1,399.99. UK pricing is but to be introduced, though given the US value matches that of the Ultegra highway wheels, we predict they are going to price the UK equal for these – round £1,259.99 – within the UK.
