The ENVE G23 holds a top-tier position as a purpose-built carbon gravel rim with robust construction, tuned compliance, and a wide internal profile optimized for modern tubeless gravel tires. It is aimed at riders prioritizing durability and ride quality on rough terrain, offering a more gravel-specialized feel than the Zipp 303 S and a higher price point than alloy alternatives, while justifying that cost with refined layups and long-term durability.
Bombproof carbon
Versatile width
Bombproof carbon
Versatile width
Review Summary
"High-end carbon gravel wheels celebrated for excellent compliance, cornering stability and long-term durability; most buyers accept the steep price for top-tier ride quality."
Race-ready grin
23mm internal carbon rim width (G23) purpose-built for modern gravel tire profiles and tubeless setups.
Race-ready grin
23mm internal carbon rim width (G23) purpose-built for modern gravel tire profiles and tubeless setups.
Enhanced Physical Well-Being
Skill Development & Mastery
Recreational Enjoyment
The ENVE G23 holds a top-tier position as a purpose-built carbon gravel rim with robust construction, tuned compliance, and a wide internal profile optimized for modern tubeless gravel tires. It is aimed at riders prioritizing durability and ride quality on rough terrain, offering a more gravel-specialized feel than the Zipp 303 S and a higher price point than alloy alternatives, while justifying that cost with refined layups and long-term durability.
Bombproof carbon
Versatile width
Race-ready grin
23mm internal carbon rim width (G23) purpose-built for modern gravel tire profiles and tubeless setups.
High-stiffness, lightweight layup delivering precise handling and long-term durability for aggressive gravel use.
Bombproof carbon
Versatile width
Race-ready grin
23mm internal carbon rim width (G23) purpose-built for modern gravel tire profiles and tubeless setups.
High-stiffness, lightweight layup delivering precise handling and long-term durability for aggressive gravel use.
$2300-3200 USD
The WTB KOM Tough i30 TCS is a modern, wide-bead option tailored to bikepacking reinforced gravel rims that need large-volume tire support and aggressive trail durability, offering a 30mm internal width and reinforced bed for heavy tubeless tires. It strikes a middle ground financially and technically — wider and tougher for mixed-terrain bikepacking than the Mavic, and more purpose-built for modern gravel tire volumes than many legacy rims, while remaining competitively priced against high-end European alternatives.
Extra-wide footprint
Rock-eating guts
Extra-wide footprint
Rock-eating guts
Review Summary
"WTB KOM Tough i30 TCS rims get strong marks for their reinforced construction and reliability under aggressive gravel and mixed-terrain riding, with many reports of long service life; the trade-offs are extra weight and occasional setup quirks with certain tire combinations. Riders consistently highlight durability as the primary benefit."
TCS seal magic
Extra-tough construction with a wide 30mm internal rim width tailored for heavy loads and big tyres.
TCS seal magic
Extra-tough construction with a wide 30mm internal rim width tailored for heavy loads and big tyres.
Recreational Enjoyment
Time-Saving Convenience
Skill Development & Mastery
The WTB KOM Tough i30 TCS is a modern, wide-bead option tailored to bikepacking reinforced gravel rims that need large-volume tire support and aggressive trail durability, offering a 30mm internal width and reinforced bed for heavy tubeless tires. It strikes a middle ground financially and technically — wider and tougher for mixed-terrain bikepacking than the Mavic, and more purpose-built for modern gravel tire volumes than many legacy rims, while remaining competitively priced against high-end European alternatives.
Extra-wide footprint
Rock-eating guts
TCS seal magic
Extra-tough construction with a wide 30mm internal rim width tailored for heavy loads and big tyres.
WTB TCS tubeless standard with reinforced walls and bead seats built for repeated use.
Extra-wide footprint
Rock-eating guts
TCS seal magic
Extra-tough construction with a wide 30mm internal rim width tailored for heavy loads and big tyres.
WTB TCS tubeless standard with reinforced walls and bead seats built for repeated use.
$200-350 USD
The Zipp 303 Firecrest is a race-focused lightweight gravel rimset that blends Zipp’s road-derived aerodynamic shaping with a tubeless-ready carbon layup for confident high-speed handling on mixed terrain. It earns a top position for its proven speed and predictable steering compared with more compliance-oriented rivals, while commanding a premium price that often translates to strong resale value and broad aftermarket service support.
Aero edge
Featherweight climb
Aero edge
Featherweight climb
Review Summary
"Widely praised for its fast, confident handling and versatile aero profile in gravel racing, the 303 Firecrest is notable for excellent acceleration and comfort; reviewers note its premium price and occasional fiddliness setting up tubeless tires."
Crosswind wizardry
Mid-depth carbon rim shaped for aerodynamic efficiency in fast gravel racing.
Crosswind wizardry
Mid-depth carbon rim shaped for aerodynamic efficiency in fast gravel racing.
Enhanced Physical Well-Being
Recreational Enjoyment
Skill Development & Mastery
The Zipp 303 Firecrest is a race-focused lightweight gravel rimset that blends Zipp’s road-derived aerodynamic shaping with a tubeless-ready carbon layup for confident high-speed handling on mixed terrain. It earns a top position for its proven speed and predictable steering compared with more compliance-oriented rivals, while commanding a premium price that often translates to strong resale value and broad aftermarket service support.
Aero edge
Featherweight climb
Crosswind wizardry
Mid-depth carbon rim shaped for aerodynamic efficiency in fast gravel racing.
Tubeless-ready, disc-brake specific construction for modern gravel setups.
Aero edge
Featherweight climb
Crosswind wizardry
Mid-depth carbon rim shaped for aerodynamic efficiency in fast gravel racing.
Tubeless-ready, disc-brake specific construction for modern gravel setups.
$2400-3200 USD
The HED Emporia GA Performance earns its spot for combining aerodynamic rim shaping with a durable, adventure-ready build that suits long gravel endurance rides. Compared with the lighter carbon ENVE G23 it trades weight for resilience, and it undercuts boutique carbon options on price while offering a stiffer, more aero edge than many all-purpose aluminum rims like the DT Swiss GR 1600 Spline. For riders prioritizing mixed-terrain speed and longevity on extended trips, it strikes a practical balance of performance and cost.
Stable wide profile
Tubeless-ready grin
Stable wide profile
Tubeless-ready grin
Review Summary
"Long-term users praise the HED Emporia GA Performance for its durable construction and confidence-inspiring ride on mixed surfaces, though some note it’s not the lightest option for aggressive climbing. Overall it’s seen as a dependable, well-built gravel rim that balances strength and compliance."
Climbs like mountain goat
Wide internal profile optimized for modern gravel tire widths and comfort on long rides.
Climbs like mountain goat
Wide internal profile optimized for modern gravel tire widths and comfort on long rides.
Enhanced Physical Well-Being
Recreational Enjoyment
Skill Development & Mastery
The HED Emporia GA Performance earns its spot for combining aerodynamic rim shaping with a durable, adventure-ready build that suits long gravel endurance rides. Compared with the lighter carbon ENVE G23 it trades weight for resilience, and it undercuts boutique carbon options on price while offering a stiffer, more aero edge than many all-purpose aluminum rims like the DT Swiss GR 1600 Spline. For riders prioritizing mixed-terrain speed and longevity on extended trips, it strikes a practical balance of performance and cost.
Stable wide profile
Tubeless-ready grin
Climbs like mountain goat
Wide internal profile optimized for modern gravel tire widths and comfort on long rides.
Tubeless-ready bead design for easy setup and reliable seal on rough terrain.
Stable wide profile
Tubeless-ready grin
Climbs like mountain goat
Wide internal profile optimized for modern gravel tire widths and comfort on long rides.
Tubeless-ready bead design for easy setup and reliable seal on rough terrain.
$350-500 USD
The Stan's NoTubes Grail CB7 is notable for its tubeless-first engineering and reliable bead/seal performance in a wide-profile gravel rim, making tire setup and puncture resistance straightforward for mixed-terrain riders. Financially it tends to be more affordable than the premium carbon leaders and technically excels in practical tubeless compatibility and real-world durability, so it's a smart pick for riders who prioritize ease of use and low running costs over absolute stiffness.
Tubeless-ready charm
Tire-friendly bead
Tubeless-ready charm
Tire-friendly bead
Review Summary
"Stan's NoTubes Grail CB7 is valued for its supple ride, strong tubeless performance and light feel, while some users worry about long-term durability when ridden hard on rocky routes."
Comfy rim hug
Carbon rim design tuned for mixed-surface traction and consistent tyre support.
Comfy rim hug
Carbon rim design tuned for mixed-surface traction and consistent tyre support.
Recreational Enjoyment
Enhanced Physical Well-Being
Time-Saving Convenience
The Stan's NoTubes Grail CB7 is notable for its tubeless-first engineering and reliable bead/seal performance in a wide-profile gravel rim, making tire setup and puncture resistance straightforward for mixed-terrain riders. Financially it tends to be more affordable than the premium carbon leaders and technically excels in practical tubeless compatibility and real-world durability, so it's a smart pick for riders who prioritize ease of use and low running costs over absolute stiffness.
Tubeless-ready charm
Tire-friendly bead
Comfy rim hug
Carbon rim design tuned for mixed-surface traction and consistent tyre support.
Optimized tubeless bead and bed for fast setup, reliable seal and lower pressures.
Tubeless-ready charm
Tire-friendly bead
Comfy rim hug
Carbon rim design tuned for mixed-surface traction and consistent tyre support.
Optimized tubeless bead and bed for fast setup, reliable seal and lower pressures.
$1,400-2,200 USD