What are gravel bike wheels used for?
Gravel bike riding isn’t for the faint-hearted. So, if you’re the kind of cyclist who loves to finish your ride with a face full of splattered mud, blood pumping and a grin from ear to ear, this is the kind of riding for you.
Increasingly popular, this form of riding offers the best of both worlds. A quasi-hybrid of mountain biking and road riding, gravel comprises long-distance rides over unpaved roads. Often, the more obstacles encountered along the way, the better.
What does this mean for gravel bike wheels? They are built to suck up all these conditions and withstand whatever is thrown at them!
What are the best gravel bike wheels for sale?
Look for lightweight wheels for gravel that are stiff, durable and built to be tough. Most of our stock comprises carbon gravel wheels, given that this material delivers on all these features.
We recommend Campagnolo or Reynolds cycling wheels.
What’s the difference between gravel vs bike wheels?
Probably the most significant difference is the width, with gravel typically coming in at about 25-45mm. Why? Those extra millimetres offer better gripping on a loose surface, greater bike control and more stability.
Can you put gravel wheels on a road bike?
The answer comes down to semantics, as a lot of customers talk wheels when what they are actually referring to is tyres. All adult bicycles use a 700cc road bike wheel size, whereas gravel bikes tend to use the same wheel diameter, but sometimes in a smaller wheel size (650b). This permits the use of larger tyres, resulting in a similar outer diameter.
The difference between the two styles of bike is the tyre size options available. Tyre size and wheel rim proportions work hand-in-hand; as the tyre size increases, so must the rim. Every manufacturer works to their own set of tyre clearance recommendations. In most cases, road wheels can only accommodate tyre sizes of up to 32c. This contrasts with gravel, which can go up to 70c.
So, depending on clearances and wheel size, a gravel tyre can be used on a road bike. If you’re unsure, reach out to our team today, and we can assist!
Need more help with gravel bike wheels?
We hope this information is helpful to you. Our team is always happy to hear from you, so if you have any more questions, don’t hesitate to reach out to us directly. If you’re looking for a gift for a cyclist in your life, why not opt for a BikeChain E-GiftCard? They could put that money towards the gravel wheelset of their dreams!
