new wheelset for my topstone

[Dueruote]

Hi all, I just bougth a Topstone 5 and I'd like to upgrade the wheelset.
I checked lightbicycle.com for carbon: very wide offer, very good price.
What do you think about carbon wheels for gravel/offroad?

Do you know similar websites for alloy wheels? (customizable nobrand wheels)
I just know Hunt wheels, i'd like to have more options.

Thanks a lot

[saldegracia]

There are some alu options in this thread: viewtopic.php?f=4&t=163611

Farsports is the obvious carbon alternative. I've been using their gravel wheels for about three months now and am very happy. Under 1400g with Novatec hubs, very wide internally and more than stiff enough for me. No disc rub either, and I am fairly heavy (around 85kg).

[tomee]

ive been using farsport carbons on my gravel bike and cannot fault them.
been over some very rough terrain as well as some mtb trails and they are holding up great.
dt 240 hubs and 24h and 25 internal width @ 1300g

Doesnt Cannondale hav some weird rear offset dishing on their wheels?

[Dueruote]

First of all thanks a lot to both of you for your help...
I'll study jpracingbike, wide offer and no customs fees (i live in Italy)
Considering the match between weight and price I'd go for carbon rims... Lightbycicle seems way cheaper than farsport. Is the quality similar?
Are carbon rims more "delicate" than alloy ones regarding scratches? I dont want them to wear out after some rides

Last question... hook or hookless? what'd you go for?

[req110]

Doesnt Cannondale hav some weird rear offset dishing on their wheels?

It does, but moving rim 6mm to non drive side is not a difficult job.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nTfZfvDdj3Q&t=136s

[saldegracia]

First of all thanks a lot to both of you for your help...
I'll study jpracingbike, wide offer and no customs fees (i live in Italy)
Considering the match between weight and price I'd go for carbon rims... Lightbycicle seems way cheaper than farsport. Is the quality similar?
Are carbon rims more "delicate" than alloy ones regarding scratches? I dont want them to wear out after some rides

Last question... hook or hookless? what'd you go for?

Carbon rims are widely used on MTBs and gravel bikes, so I would not worry about wearing them out, especially with disc brakes. There is a chance they'll break if you crash right into something but I don't think the risk of breaking them is higher than with alu rims. I have never had any issues with scraqtches or similar on any of my carbon wheels. Again, I don't think they're more likely to scratch than alu.

For the gravel bike I went with hookless which works well with the low pressures you typically use for Gravel. If hookless works for you has a lot to do with the pressures you'll use on the wheels, I'd recommend you do some reading on the topic to make sure they work for you, there is some good info in this forum. In theory than can be lighter and/or more sturdy than hooked rims, simply because they don't need the hook which also seems to make manufacturing more difficult.

[Toby]

Doesnt Cannondale hav some weird rear offset dishing on their wheels?

Not all bikes... I think it's only the SuperX and Topstone Carbon. If this is the Topstone (alloy) it's regular - I have one sitting a couple of yards from me now.

[jrod88]

Doesnt Cannondale hav some weird rear offset dishing on their wheels?

Not all bikes... I think it's only the SuperX and Topstone Carbon. If this is the Topstone (alloy) it's regular - I have one sitting a couple of yards from me now.

Topstone 5 is carbon...been trying to track down one. If tracked down, I'd be putting a set of HED Emporias in silver or built by CK, either should dish the wheel to Ai.