Why We Make This

HED Wheels are known for progressive rim design. They have made the go-to alloy gravel rim since someone decided gravel was a category. The 650b wheel size is a favorite of long-distance riders and bikepacking enthusiasts, because it lets you run big tires. Smaller riders also like this wheel size a lot.

Why You Want It

Maybe you’re a smaller rider. Maybe you’re a bikepacker who wants to rock some wide rubber. Either way, you’re looking for a versatile, bombproof alloy gravel wheel with an easy tubeless setup. A wider rim profile that lets you run lower tire pressures. What’s not to like?

Our R45 Centerlock™ hubs pair a lightweight hub body with our legendary, made-in-house bearings. They give you 45 points of simultaneous engagement, and that means more of your power gets to the ground, and your traction is better. These hubs just roll better, last longer, and look way more handsome than anything else out there. The stiffness of our one-piece axle translates to laser-precise bike handling.

Chris King bearings, both steel and ceramic, have heat-treated, surgical-grade steel races that are machined simultaneously to ensure perfect matching. The quality and speed of our bearings is what you will feel (and hear) on every ride. As Chris King bearing tracks burnish, they actually get faster (we have data), which means the more you ride, the faster they get. A little bit of regular love (i.e., service) will keep these hubs rolling for years upon years of demanding use. 

This wheelset comes with the legendary “angry bee” sound, and you can choose from a bunch of sharp hub colors, including basic black.

• Built in-house with legendary Chris King precision 
• Centerlock Lock ring sold separately and required for installation
• Tubeless rim tape installed is included with this wheelset
• King Lifetime Warranty on our hubs 
• Chris King-backed 2-year crash replacement policy
• HED-backed 1-year warranty on rims 

Wheel Specifications