A high-quality wheelset is a key component of a gravel bike — a bike that, in most cases, is without suspension. Properly selected wheels and tires can improve both speed and comfort by effectively absorbing surface irregularities. At the same time, wheels should remain relatively light to support acceleration off-road, while still being strong enough to handle repeated impacts and loads.
At the outset, it’s worth noting that for almost everyone, the most sensible choice is 700c (28") wheels. The smaller 650b size works best in very technical, MTB-like terrain or on frames with limited tire clearance that restrict the use of wider tires.
Wheel and rim parameters
Good gravel wheels should be light — but not excessively so. Durability matters in gravel riding. A wheelset weight around 1500 grams is a solid result for carbon rims. For aluminum rims, 1700–1800 grams is also a respectable figure.
Rim depth should generally not exceed ~45 mm. Very deep rims are unnecessary, as riding speeds off-road — even on fast gravel — rarely exceed 30 km/h. In this context, the aerodynamic benefit of a deep rim is minimal. Excessive rim depth also reduces responsiveness and acceleration in technical terrain.
In the Evanlite gravel range, wheels are available with a 35 mm rim depth (New Gravel model). There are also Road-OFF and Gravel Champion models positioned at the all-road / gravel crossover, both using a 45 mm rim.
An equally important parameter is internal rim width. Ideally, it should fall in the 23–27 mm range. Gravel tires (35c and wider) seat very well on rims of this width, improving stability and overall ride comfort.
Hooked vs hookless rims
The market offers gravel rims in both hooked and hookless designs. Hooked rims provide a secure mechanical lock for the tire bead. Hookless rims, on the other hand, have no internal hooks — similar to MTB rims.
Removing the hook requires the use of tires specifically approved for hookless rims to prevent tire blow-off during riding. As a result, hookless rims and compatible tires typically have a relatively low maximum pressure limit, usually around 4–5 bar. Exceeding this can lead to tire failure. Because of these pressure limits, hookless rims are generally not suitable for road use.
In gravel riding, hookless rims simplify rim construction and work well with wider tires and lower pressures, which can add a bit of comfort and control off-road. This is more of an evolution than a revolution — it doesn’t fundamentally change ride feel. Independent tests show only marginal differences compared to classic hooked rims.
In practice, hookless rims allow the tire sidewall to deform slightly more naturally under load, as there’s no internal hook restricting movement. The downside is limited tire compatibility, mainly affecting older tire models. Most modern gravel tires are now hookless-compatible.
Hookless-compatible tubeless tires are best used in a tubeless setup, though an inner tube can still be used in an emergency.
Evanlite gravel wheel models:
– Gravel Champion (hooked)
– New Gravel (hookless)
– Road-OFF (hooked)
Hubs and spokes
Gravel riding means dirt roads, forest paths, and sometimes sand — equipment will be tested. That’s why hubs must use well-sealed bearings. In our wheel builds, we use Evanlite and DT Swiss hubs. All models feature double-sealed bearings to reduce the risk of contamination, especially from pressure washers forcing water and dirt inside.
Another important hub feature is the ability to swap freehubs easily when changing drivetrains. This maintains wheel compatibility across different bikes or groupsets. Both Evanlite and DT Swiss hubs support interchangeable axle adapters and freehubs.
Equally important is long-term access to spare parts through the manufacturer. Exotic, obscure hub brands are best avoided for this reason.
As for spokes, they shouldn’t be too thin or overly light, as this compromises durability and leads to more frequent truing. Evanlite wheels are primarily built with Sapim D-Light spokes (2.0–1.65–2.0), which offer an excellent balance of high strength and low weight. This setup remains suitable even for riders around 100 kg.
Tires: impact on dynamics and comfort
Low rotational mass (rims + tires) directly affects ride dynamics and how quickly the bike accelerates. Wider tires increase weight but improve comfort. Tire width should be chosen based on terrain and total system weight: rider + bike + gear.
The most common gravel tire width range is 40–45 mm. This provides good off-road grip while maintaining relatively low rolling resistance on hard-packed surfaces.
An interesting option is using two different tire widths and tread patterns: a wider, more aggressive tire up front and a narrower, lighter tire at the rear. This improves acceleration while preserving front-end grip. The front wheel primarily handles obstacle absorption and steering.
Example setup: front tire Pirelli Cinturato Gravel RC 45c (wider, aggressive tread), rear tire Pirelli Cinturato Gravel H 40c (narrower, smoother tread).
Lower pressure — quick gains
A tubeless system is essential for serious gravel wheels. It’s not just about puncture protection, but above all about the ability to ride at lower pressures, which means faster and more comfortable riding on gravel.
A real game-changer is the use of tire inserts such as PTN Gravel Sport or CushCore. The insert is mounted inside the tire and used with sealant. The PTN insert (available in the Evanlite configurator) weighs about 60 grams — a minimal impact on dynamics, while significantly improving speed and comfort overall.
Inserts allow very low pressures without risking rim strikes. For example, around 2.5 bar for 40c tires with an 80 kg rider. Lower pressure enables the tire–wheel system to absorb terrain irregularities very efficiently. On gravel and forest roads, this reduces micro-bouncing that wastes energy, while in more technical terrain it improves grip and comfort.
Summary
Gravel wheels require solutions tailored specifically to off-road riding. We’ve outlined the key parameters that matter. A wheelset must work as a complete system, together with the right tires and correct pressure — both of which are critical for efficient and confident riding on gravel.
Evanlite wheel models designed for gravel:
