Bike is a 2016 GT Grade with some Hunt alloy Road wheels. They’ve gone a bit wonky, might be the variable Hunt build quality or could be because I’ve been taking it off road and it’s not up to the job.
Either way I think I want a new gravel wheelset designed to be a bit stronger for proper gravel duties.
Quick search around gives me 3 options:
1) Hunt
Any views or feedback on the above three options? They’re roughly about the same price and roughly about the same weight.
other options also welcome. Will need to be 700c, disc and QR hub standard.
If your hubs are okay, why not get them rebuilt? Ask a reputable wheel builder what rim they recommend for your use case.
DT G1800 or GR1600 might be worth a look?
Really pleased with my JRA wheels so far, lots of options! Competitive weight and friendly service
The 'what budget gravel wheels' matter was covered pretty well in this thread from a week or so back.
https://singletrackworld.com/forum/topic/gravel-rear-wheel-recommendations/
Hunt for me - I've got a set of 4 Seasons and not had any problems. Customer service from Hunt has been good too.
But appreciate that's not everyone's experience!
Check out DCR also, they have some great products and a wide range of rims, you could spec up a wheel to suit.
I would much prefer going to a small scale builder like DCR or JRA who is likely to be taking more time over it. Who actually builds the wheels at Hunt/ Scribe etc?
Scribe wheels are built in house in Belfast.
By reputation alone, I'd go with JRA.
Build you own?
28 or 32H make better sense if you're heading off-road even on curly barred bikes, I'm guessing your spangled hunt wheels were 24h OP? More spokes is more strongerer (broadly)...
If buying pre-builts the JRA Map Core wheels are good in that you can choose spoke counts, including different front and rear, say 28f / 32R if know you're harder on rear wheels (which most people are).
Mine are older Stans Crest rims on novatec hubs. Cheap-ish, 1600g but a bit fragile sometimes due to the stupidly low spoke tension, I'd go with 32 x 2.0/1.5/2.0 spokes, counter intuitively skinny spokes hold low tensions better as they're under more strain.
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/167029597262
Mid-range MTB rims are often lighter than gravel rims so can be a decent way to save some weight (or money). If you go down the custom build route then budget ~£120 for spokes and building on top of whatever the hubs and rims cost.
Rims £46 x2
Novatec 781/782 £110
Building £120
= £322 and should be ~1600-1650g.
I've the JRA Monitor wheels from your link.
Been on my gravel bike for 4 years and thousands of off-road miles - still straight as a die and only had one issue when an LBS over-tightened the freehub and mangled it.
I also bought a pair of their carbon wheels last year, same Bitex hubs and spokes.
If you don't mind second hand, remember 100/135 QR was the original non boost 29er wheel size and there are loads in sheds and ebay. My Fargo wheels are Hope XC/A719 and perfect for the job.
If you don’t mind second hand, remember 100/135 QR was the original non boost 29er wheel size and there are loads in sheds and ebay. My Fargo wheels are Hope XC/A719 and perfect for the job.
Stealth add:
I have a set of Stans ArchEX, 32 DT Comp's on A2Z hubs, 1800g and tough enough for anything a gravel bike will throw at it (although allegedly the rear axle/freehub is a weak point but I didn't have any issues).
Thank you folks for the feedback it's much appreciated.
@Onzadog, rebuilding with different rim was my first option but LBS said it was un-economical and for a little bit more I could get a brand new Miche wheel set. Will try a different shop see what they say ...
@rockthreegozy, DT Swiss get good reviews but I can only find new ones in boost hubs which won't fit my frame 🙁
@cookeaa, hah would love to have the time to learn wheel building. I can do most things on the bike but not tried building wheels yet. At the moment I'm time poor and would prefer to use that time to go ride the bike instead. So looking for the easy option of getting something ready made.
Thanks for the offers of 2nd hand wheels but again for easy of life I'd prefer some new ones that can just fit a forget (well until the bearings wear out) ...
If buying new looks like JRA are getting a lot of recommendations and are highly regarded so I think I'll go with them.
Hunt sale + extra 10% makes them significantly more 'budget' than JRA. Never had an issue with any of my sets and as others have said customer service has been very good.
Yep, wasn't expecting a rebuild to save money, but for the same budget, you might be able to get hand built wheels with rims, spokes and pacing pattern to suit your specific requirements.
Factory wheels will always be cheaper to the point where it looks like you'd be getting free hubs in this case.