Cyclocross & Gravel Wheels

Handsling Hookless Tubeless Gravel/CX Wheels are specifically designed for cyclocross or gravel cycling. They are our toughest, do-it-all wheelset, with our team riders racing them off-road in cyclocross and gravel events, but with some also using them in road races.

Hookless rims are the norm in mountain biking, and are commonplace now in cyclocross and gravel. Even road cycling is starting to embrace tubeless tyres and hookless rims. If you have decided that tubeless tyres are the way forward, and want to get the maximum performance benefits by using hookless then these wheels are what you need.

Handsling Hookless Tubeless Gravel/CX Wheels are 30mm wide and 40mm deep, and are very tough and lightweight. With a 24mm wide internal width, the rim profile is designed to be combined with big volume tubeless tyres, so is ideal for 32mm tubeless cyclocross tyres and 35 to 45mm gravel tyres, but equally works really well with 28mm to 32mm road tyres.

While we wouldn't recommend it, in testing these super tough wheels handled up to 120psi and for cyclocross we have run these wheels in races as low as 18psi with no burping - our team riders say they feel like fast tubulars in 'cross races.

Finished in 3k carbon with gloss embossed HANDSLING logos they are of striking appearance and make any bike look amazing.  

Why hookless?

Whereas an inner tube applies pressure upwards, trying to lift the tyre off the rim, tubeless tyres exert lateral force against the rim sidewall, negating the need for a hook to secure the tyre.

Weight

Expect wheels of around 1485g with a Handsling hubset. Hookless rims can be made lighter and stronger than hooked rims.

Aero

The wide Handsling 30mm rims are aero when paired with a 28mm+ tyre, handling really well no matter the wind direction. We do not recommend running with tyres less than 28mm.

Low rolling resistance

These wheels are designed for the wider tubeless road tyres that have been shown to offer the lowest rolling resistance of all tyres. 

Grip

Hookless tubeless allows you to run lower pressures, improving grip over tricky terrain, in muddy conditions or when cornering.

Comfort

These lower pressures improve ride comfort massively, a factor long overlooked in road riding especially. Added comfort allows you to finish your ride in much fresher condition meaning you can nail that sprint or final climb and recover better for the next event.

Cornering speed

By offering extra support to the wider tyres, even at lower pressures, these wheels offer improved grip and cornering performance.

Features:

• 40mm deep, 30mm wide carbon rim
• Light for fast acceleration
• Strong for impact absorption
• Wide for improved aerodynamics with big volume tyres
• Hookless for use with the latest tubeless tyres
• No braking surface
• Ideal for supporting wider tyres in cyclocross and gravel, and the new road tubeless tyres that promise lower rolling resistance

Made up into wheels in the UK by master wheelbuilder, Ian lynch, using the superb Pillar Wing20 or Sapim cx-ray spokes with Handsling disc hubs or a hub of your choice. Please state if you want 12mm thru axles, or 15mm front / 12mm rear, or QR.

More about Handsling Wheels

Buy these if... You prioritise wheel strength and want to have option of fitting inner tube 

• Offset spoke alignment to deal with braking and pedalling forces
• Toroidal rim profile to aid aerodynamics
• Hooked rims optimised for tubeless tyres, but still compatible with inner tube
• Optimised to work with 25-28mm tyres and wider
• Suitable for on and off road riding

About  Handsling Offset Tubeless Wheels

Handsling Offset Tubeless Wheels are advanced wheels optimised for use with disc brakes, and as such are lightweight, aerodynamic and strong. 

Off-set spoke holes produces a balanced wheel that deals with the forces associated with a powerful disc brake at the front, and are then off-set to the opposite side to deal with wide cassette on the rear wheel. To this end the spoke holes are off-set by 3mm from centre to improve strength and durability.

The rims are in excess of 30mm wide at their widest point and have a toroidal shape to aid aerodynamics. 

The offset rims are hooked, meaning they are compatible with a wide range of tubeless tyres, as well as with clincher tyres and inner tubes. The internal width is 21-22mm.

Available in depths of 35mm, 45mm, 50mm and 60mm, they are ideal for road, cyclocross and gravel riders looking for a strong wheel that will take punishment. Maximum rider weight is 100kgs.

Width

The wide rim profile is well behaved in cross winds and offers aerodynamic performance no matter the wind direction. They work particularly well with the latest asymmetric, truncated aero frame tube profiles.

The rims are at their widest - 30mm - close to the outside edge, before tapering back to 28mm at the rim edge to form an aerodynamic transition into the tyre.

They are optimised for 25-28mm tyres but will work with a variety of widths up to 45mm gravel tyres.

Depths

Off-set wheel rims are available in 35mm, 45mm, 50mm and 60mm depths. 

Any combination is possible. Remember that rim depth is always a trade off between aerodynamics and comfort. Weight is not really a huge factor as you expend far more energy pushing wheels through the air than accelerating them up to speed; even in the mountains, total mass of rider and bike is more relevant than wheel weight specifically.

Rim depth depends upon riding style and conditions. A shallow rim will afford more comfort and handle better on windy days. A deeper rim will be more aerodynamic but will give a harsher ride and be tougher to keep under control in windy conditions.

Weight

The rims are very strong and the off-set spokes make tough wheels that can handle a lot of abuse. Handsling worked hard with our factory to make the rims as lightweight as possible without compromising strength.

Finish

Finished in matt UD carbon with gloss, embossed HANDSLING logos they are of striking appearance and make any bike look amazing. 

Hubs

We fit the superbly fast Handsling hubs. They are 6 pawl, providing quick engagement and use an anti-bite system on the cassette body for added longevity. 

Spokes

Spokes are top of the range, best in class aero Pillar Wing20, proven to be the stiffest, strongest most aero spoke out there. 

Availability

We carry a good stock of wheels, and aim to ship the next day. If we do not have what you want in stock, wheels can be made to order. Please allow a week for the build and delivery.

Guarantee

All Handsling wheels are guaranteed against manufacturing and wheelbuilding defects under a limited lifetime warranty. Our warranty philosophy is that we are cyclists selling products to other cyclists, and we need to look after each other.

Summary

• 30mm wide carbon rim
• Toroidal shape for aerodynamic efficiency
• Optimised aerodynamically for 25-28mm road tyres
• Lightweight rims for lower rotating weight and faster acceleration
• Off-set spokes form stronger wheels for better impact absorption
• Wide rim profile for improved aerodynamics in all conditions
• Disc specific rim without a braking surface
• Ideal for supporting the new wider road tubeless tyres that promise lower rolling resistance and improved cornering 

More about Handsling Wheels