How much attention do you pay to your wheels when refining your bike's specs? Amidst the sea of complex componentry and bike builds, wheels might seem like a minor detail, but the right set can be a game-changer — especially when it comes to the gritty, off-road discipline of gravel riding.
Let’s explore some gravel wheel fundamentals and find out how they can enhance your all-surface riding experience.
Why wheels matter
Wheels are your primary contact point with the ground. The right—or wrong—wheel will significantly impact your riding experience. Gravel wheels shift the focus from aerodynamics and weight to adaptability and durability.
Rim width vs. rim depth
Unlike super light aero road wheels, the width of your gravel wheel’s rim is more important than its depth. A wider rim gives you the flexibility to choose the right tire width for the surface you’ll be riding on—anything from 32mm for tarmac and broken roads to 50mm if monster gravel is your calling. If there’s anything you want to avoid on gravel, it’s being under-biked with skinny tires.
Additionally, gravel wheels are built for durability, which is crucial for handling the rough terrain typical in gravel, and are likely to cover the spectrum between unpredictable and smooth. Unsurprisingly, rock hits and featherweight carbon are not the best of friends. The most well-suited wheelset can handle rough terrain and provide smooth rolling speed. This is not an easy balance, so you can see where your thought process needs to be channeled when it comes to choosing the right wheels.
Hitting the sweet spot
That is where the WH-RX880 wheels come into play, sitting at the sweet spot for gravel. Engineered for multi-surface riding, their 25 mm internal width accommodates tires from 32mm to 50mm with 32mm carbon rims to give you gravel-optimized aerodynamics. Weighing just 1461g together, they won’t feel sluggish when you want to head out for a quick adventure.
What’s more, RX880 hubs feature revamped DIRECT ENGAGEMENT technology borrowed from DURA-ACE wheels to deliver quick and efficient engagement for rapid acceleration on any terrain. They also support greater compatibility with a user-friendly design that makes it easy to switch between MICRO SPLINE and HYPERGLIDE L2 12-speed FREEHUB bodies. RX880 hubs and rims are laced together with 24 sturdy J-bend spokes for superior reliability on intense adventures.
We asked the Shimano Gravel Alliance members to tell us more about their wheel preferences and why GRX works for them.
The Explorer: Henna Palosaari
“This is new territory for me because these are the first carbon wheels that I have been riding, and there is definitely a difference. They’re so much more responsive, and I notice the lower weight when backpacking, especially when climbing.
Aerodynamics aren’t that important to me because I don’t really aim to ride fast, but durability and strength are a priority for my adventures. I feel that they can really handle the weight of a loaded bike when bike packing, and these were perfect for riding asphalt during my ski-bike trip, as well as when I’ve headed to places with much rougher gravel.
The last thing that I want is to break a wheel when I’m in the middle of nowhere.”
The Everyday Rider: Claudia Gerosa
“I’m definitely not a pro, and I don’t have expert taste to pick out the finer details, but I love how fast-rolling these wheels are and how easy it is to install tubeless.
I also love how they look – 32 mm carbon rims are gorgeous. Bikes are so cool these days so it’s good to see that wheel design can keep up.
I’ve been using these on a daily basis for over a year, riding them with 45 mm tires. I like to call them “my battle wheels”. Rough gravel, technical trails, tarmacked roads – I don’t feel like I’ve ever been let down by them. I use them for daily go-everywhere sort of rides as well as big adventures.
I also love the sound of the freehub. I’ll always steer clear of arrogant-sounding wheels, but the GRX has a really soothing noise that makes each gravel ride that bit better.
They are the perfect mix of aesthetics, performance and silence, perfect for someone like me looking for a dependable performance.”
The All-Rounder: Erwin Sikkens
“The biggest revelation I had with the GRX wheels is that I’d come from a set of carbon road wheels with deep rims that looked super fast and cool, but it was all looks.
I put the GRX wheels into my trusted Cannondale Topstone that I’ve been riding for years and it felt like a brand-new bike. Way lighter and because of the decreased height of the carbon I felt like I could accelerate much faster out of corners and on tricky conditions like sand etc.
It feels like my bike has come to life - it’s amazing how you can rediscover your own bike just by changing the wheels.”
Why GRX wheels
One wheelset, countless journeys. Whether you’re racing for World Championship selection, adventuring in faraway lands, or just getting out on the weekend on your local gravel roads, the right wheel choice really does make a difference to your gravel riding. In a sport that embraces every attitude and terrain, there is no need to compromise when it comes to getting more miles and more smiles from your gravel riding.
Visit your local Shimano Dealer and upgrade your ride with some GRX wheels today!
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