Earlier this 12 months at Sea Otter, Trek had a number of new launches together with the superb Carback Radar Tail mild. Currently, Trek has been releasing new merchandise in batches, which implies that it’s simple to overlook one thing new – just like the Bontrager Paradigm Professional 30 TLR Disc gravel wheels. It wasn’t till after the present that we discovered the (very) broad gravel wheels on the Trek web site. Naturally, we needed to know extra.
Gravel wheels are rapidly seeing a race to mountain bike widths, and the Paradigm 30 wheels are not any totally different. In actual fact, these wheels use the identical rim because the Bontrager Kovee Professional 30 MTB wheel. That features a rim that’s 35mm broad externally, 29mm broad internally, and 29mm deep. Because of this, Trek says these wheels will pair properly with 700c tires in 42-50mm widths like their new Betasso RSL GX.
The hooked rims are tubeless prepared, and are available pre-taped. The tubeless tire arrange with the Bontrager Betasso RSL GX TLR gravel tire was a cinch utilizing Bontrager TLR tire sealant.
What makes the Paradigm 30 wheels totally different than the Kovee Professional 30s? It largely comes all the way down to the hubs. The Paradigms have the required 12 x 100mm entrance and 12 x 142mm rear hubs wanted for contemporary gravel bikes quite than the Enhance spacing discovered on the Kovees. Each wheels are 24-hole with 14/17/14g bladed spokes and alloy locking nipples.
That ought to make the load very comparable as properly, with the 1380g claimed weight of the Paradigm 30s simply 5g lower than the Kovee Execs. As soon as taped and the included tubeless valves put in, the load is barely extra at 1428g.
Solely PARTLY Appropriate with Shimano GRX 12-speed
The one catch to contemplate when buying these wheels is that Trek/Bontrager presently doesn’t have a Micro Spline freehub choice for his or her street hubs, and has no plans so as to add one any time quickly. Be aware that there’s a Micro Spline choice for his or her MTB Fast Drive hubs, however they aren’t cross-compatible, and might’t be used right here.
That solely issues for those who plan to run a GRX 1×12 drivetrain with a Shimano MTB cassette, or any drivetrain mixture with a Micro Spline cassette for that matter. In any other case, the wheels embrace a Shimano HG 11-speed freehub choice that may work with SHIMANO GRX 2×12 drivetrains with HG splined cassettes.
Our pattern shipped with the opposite freehub choice, SRAM XDR which is offered individually. Each freehub choices embrace Bontrager’s Fast Drive tech with 108 factors of engagement.
New Bontrager Gravel Tires
Together with the wheels, Trek despatched over the brand new Betasso RSL GX TLR and Girona RSL GR TLR tires to take a look at. As talked about, the Betasso is a 700c x 50mm measurement, whereas the Girona is 700c x 45mm. Because of the distinction in width and tread peak, the 2 tires are virtually 100g aside. I’ve spent most of my time on the Betasso to this point, however the Girona tread is similar to the new WTB Vulpine S which ought to make it extraordinarily quick on pavement and hardpack filth and gravel.
What are they wish to trip?
Generally, overview merchandise present up simply on the proper time. That was the case with the Paradigm 30 Execs. I’ve been reviewing the Kona Ouroboros Supreme which got here inventory with Zipp 101 XPLR wheels that I’ve not been capable of efficiently run tubeless (this appears to be a recognized subject with these wheels, however extra on that within the Kona overview).
I wanted a distinct pair of wheels because of this, and the Paradigm 30 Execs appeared like the proper reply for a gravel bike just like the Ouroboros that’s meant to get rowdy. The Ouroboros ships with 700c x 50mm Maxxis tires, so the 50mm Bontrager Betasso RSL GX tires appeared like a perfect match as properly.
Organising the Bontrager wheels tubeless couldn’t have been simpler. Simply dump in some sealant, inflate, seat the bead, and also you’re carried out. After the tire pinged into place, there weren’t any leaks to be discovered, and the tires maintain air for the long run higher than most.
It took some time, however the tires have now stretched to almost their full labeled width at 49.70mm. On this case, evidently the additional broad rims have had little to no impact on the tire’s general width. That’s excellent news in case your body or fork is tight on tire clearance.
My speedy first impression is that this is without doubt one of the quickest 50mm tire setups I’ve ridden on pavement or hard-packed filth/gravel (which is to say, nonetheless slower than many 45mm setups). Having modified each the wheels and tires on the similar time, I can’t say which one is extra accountable, however I can say that they make an amazing mixture.
Often with gravel tires, quick on pavement means you’ll be lacking out off-road, however the Betasso gripped properly in our humidity-slicked circumstances, adopted up by bone-dry late summer time mud.
Beginning out with 32psi within the rear, and 31psi up entrance, I rapidly discovered you will get away with a lot decrease pressures if you wish to. The brand new WTC Stress App beneficial that I am going 30.5 within the rear and 28.5 up entrance, which felt good however I used to be driving at 25 psi at one level and it nonetheless didn’t really feel just like the tire was squirming uncomfortably underneath the stress, and I’ve but to backside the tire out on the rim.
Throughout testing, I purposely hit each root, rock, and curb that I may discover in an effort to see if the broader rim would end in extra pinch flats. Fortunately, I had no such points – even when charging at full velocity on decrease pressures head first right into a wall of roots. You too can cost into root and rock gardens with abandon figuring out that the wheels are lined by Trek’s Carbon Care Wheel Loyalty Program for the primary two years – for those who handle to interrupt them, Trek will exchange them at no cost. That protection continues after two years however transitions to “steeply discounted” rebuilds or replacements. There’s additionally a lifetime guarantee which covers manufacturing defects.
This isn’t the mix that I’d select if outright velocity for gravel racing is the aim. However if you’re on the lookout for a light-weight gravel wheelset optimized for broad tires that may take a beating, the Paradigm 30 Professional TLR wheels are very attractive – so long as you don’t need to run a cassette that requires a Micro Spline freehub physique.
These wheels are offered individually with the entrance promoting for $679.99, and the rear priced at $819.99 for a complete of $1,499.98 earlier than tax. The wheels come pre-taped with the tubeless valve put in and carry no rider weight restrict.
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