Gravel wheels are coming with quite the well deserved update! Wheels are getting wider internal widths, getting a deeper aero profile, and getting lighter! These new NOBEL FAR 40 wheels are are probably at the top of the game with a new gravel standard! These caught my eye when they first came out a couple months ago with shape, width and pure beauty. Unboxing these wheels I was quite blown away on the construction of the rims, and in person they look amazing. The construction is much higher quality of a lot of carbon rims that I have seen on the market and was not expecting them to be so light with a deeper profile rim. The FAR series are wider, but not too wide, not crazy deep, and are still light weight!
Total wheel set weight with Industry Nine Solix Hubs and Alpinea Extralite spokes comes in at a total of 1368g. Nobel claims that being only at 360g per rim, the FAR series are still stronger than many mountain bike rims. The 29mm internal width will be better for high-volume gravel tires and allow for improved grip, comfort, and control. Nobel states “Its design allows for running wider tires at lower pressures without losing stability, making it ideal for steep climbs, rolling roads, and long endurance rides.”
Nobel placed the widest point 15mm below the bead, which is 38mm wide, to create a smooth, rounded profile that allows the wheels to be more aerodynamic. This wider point allow the wheels to stay more composed in crosswinds along with reduces drag. This avoids the twitchy forces that are more commonly seen with narrow, deep rims. Nobel states ” The result is a teardrop-like shape, nature’s most efficient, delivering lower drag and predictable handling when the wind picks up.”
Nobel does not recommend running smaller than a 38c tires on the FAR series rims. Nobel is also making a 50mm deep FAR 50 rim that is 400 grams for the rim and have all the same features as the 40. Nobel allows full customization on building wheels with different hub and spokes options along with several different colors on their website to allow for the customer to get the exact wheel they want to ride. Nobel does back there rims with a Lifetime Warranty which is a bonus for buying carbon wheels and they don’t break the bank like other carbon manufactures. These wheels with I9 hubs, Alpina extralite spokes, and alloy nipples retains for $1825 USD. Other hub options include Hope, DT Swiss, Chris King, and Onyx. Spoke options include Alpina Extralite, Sapim CX-ray bladed, and BERD Polylight.
Full review will come soon. I am waiting on a new bike to put these on to do some more testing with some other products!
509 Cycles 