Hi all,
Looking for a set of aluminium 650b wheels for my gravel/bikepacking bike, to run 50mm tyres on.
Star ratchet hub (for reliability)
Not too loud freehub
Reasonable freehub engagement
24mm + internal rim width
Brass nipples
Sturdy/reliable
Reasonable weight
No more than ~£500, less the better
Was pretty set on DT Swiss GR 1600s (£360 ish), tick most of the boxes, apart from:
Bit heavy
Alu nipples
Slow hub engagement (18T)
I've been looking for alternative options, but main sticking point is hubs with star ratchet rather than pawls.
I've found a wheel builder who uses H-Works hubs (which look to be OEM of some DT spares), very similar to 350s but with 36T rather than the 350s 18T, and a bit lighter than the 350s.
They can do these hubs with DT GR531 rims and brass nipples - with Sapim Race spokes for £435, or Sapim CX Ray spokes for £520.
Bit torn what to do out of the above three options, or any other options I haven't considered. I'm v tempted to just go for the GR 1600s, but I so rarely buy new bike components I'm also tempted just to splash out and get the CX Ray wheelset...
Any thoughts?
Thanks!
Buy the DT GR 1600 and lob a 36T upgrade in?
Silt maybe, choice of 36 or 54 tooth engagement, on sale at the moment £296 (36 tooth) & £336 for the 54 tooth
https://siltmtb.co.uk/products/copy-of-xc-alloy-27-5-1-559g?variant=42732258361493
Do the Silt wheels use the same hubs as the Scribes? Put off the Scribes due to freehub noise.
Mister-P - yep that's an option!
Looks like the Silt hubs are equally loud 🙁
why not get a pair built to your spec ?
Arrow BIke Wheels are my local builder and I'm sure they'd be able to help.
This is one of their sample builds:
slackboy - I have, I mentioned a very similar build above (different hubs)
Related question - does anyone know the difference between DT GR531 rims, and the rims that come on the GR 1600 wheelset? Ta
The GR1600s have 36 tooth ratchets surely? The cheaper G1800 with 370 hubs were 18 tooth ratchet LNs (mine are 3 pawl).
I also thought that the GR1600 were noticeably lighter than the G1800s which I have.
The old GR1600's were 18t ratchet.
The newer ones have been 36t ratchet for at least 1 year.
Might explain why only 360 quid instead of 500 or so.
I have the 36t GR1600, and wouldn't call them quiet. Don't need a bell to let pedestrians know you are coming.
What about Vel 650b gravel wheels? Not quite your spec, only 23mm internal so a bit narrow. But 102poe, under 1700g and only 200 quid. Not sure on brass nipples but my 700c Vel 23s do have them. Not star ratchet but pawls.
I have been very impressed with mine.
https://www.sigmasports.com/item/Vel/23-GRL-Alloy-Gravel-Disc-650b-Wheelset/TW53#description/TW5 3" target="_blank" rel="noopener"> https://www.sigmasports.com/item/Vel/23-GRL-Alloy-Gravel-Disc-650b-Wheelset/TW53
This is an old thread that was trawled up by a newly registered poster posting advertising. That post has been deleted. Sure the OP has made a decision now since it was over 2 years ago.
Appreciate the replies all - the original post was from 2 years ago though - I have since bought the GR1600s, and actually just sold them last month as I sold my 650b gravel bike 😀
