New carbon wheels rely on extreme rim widths, while modern frames create room for wide tyres. Here is what these trends mean for you.
Anyone riding on gravel tracks feels every bump immediately. The bicycle industry has been responding to this for some time with increasingly wider dimensions: both the rims and the space between the frame stays are growing noticeably. Current releases and field tests show how strongly the segment is moving towards larger tyres and wider support.
A key trend in new wheels is growing internal and external dimensions. As reported by Velo by Outside, the German manufacturer Newmen has introduced the Streem G.48 CS, a carbon wheelset that features an external width of 45 mm and an internal rim width of 27 mm. The profile is intended to dampen impacts, reduce crosswind susceptibility, and is, according to the manufacturer, precisely tailored to modern gravel tyres. In addition, Newmen is even planning diameters of 30.5 and 32 inches in the future.
US manufacturer Particle Wheels goes one step further: according to Gravel Cyclist, its WCX Ultralight model reaches an internal width of 32 mm with a 50 mm rim depth. These dimensions are explicitly designed for tyres 42 mm wide and above to optimize power transfer and ride feel. According to the manufacturer, the wheel is also built to withstand extreme stress tests equivalent to cross-country mountain bike standards.
Both manufacturers use carbon spokes and low weight on these models despite the generous dimensions: while Newmen claims a weight of 1,390 grams, the set from Particle Wheels starts from 1,100 grams, according to manufacturer specifications.
Wide rims deliver their full benefits primarily when the frame offers enough room for correspondingly high-volume tyres. A comparison test by Velo by Outside as part of the Velo Field Test illustrates how generously current designs are dimensioned. Six gravel bikes with considerable tyre clearance competed against each other:
This range shows that the dividing line between a classic gravel bike and an off-road-capable mountain bike is increasingly blurring when it comes to tyre accommodation.
If you are considering adapting your setup, you should check the compatibility of your current bike. Ultra-wide rims with internal widths of 27 to 32 mm are not intended for narrow road tyres. Particle Wheels, for example, explicitly emphasizes that its model is designed for tyres from 42 mm onwards. Wider rims support the tyre sidewalls better, preventing the tyre from squirming or burping in corners or at low tyre pressures.
At the same time, the combination of wide rims and high-volume tyres is only useful if your frame and fork offer sufficient clearance. Always check your frame manufacturer's specifications before changing rims or tyres to ensure sufficient clearance remains from the stays.
Your takeaway: Before upgrading to ultra-wide rims, check whether your frame offers sufficient tyre clearance for rubber measuring 42 mm and wider.
This article was generated automatically with AI from the sources listed above and has not been editorially reviewed.