Most gravel bikes are rigid, i.e. not damped or suspended. Conversely, for Crankbrothers this means that a certain elasticity of the components is important for comfort and performance. This is exactly what the manufacturer wants to achieve with the new wheelsets, which have been specially developed for gravel bikes to make gravel riding more fun. The Crankbrothers Synthesis wheels are known for enduro bikes, for example.
Crankbrothers Synthesis wheels: comfort and performance
"Where comfort meets performance" is the slogan for the new Crankbrothers wheels. The rims have a rim width of 26.5 millimetres - wider than all previous gravel bikes - and 28 spokes at the front and rear. Gravel bikes are designed differently to downhill, enduro or cross country bikes, where suspension, damping and wide tyres ensure comfort and safety. Crankbrothers has therefore gone there and reduced the stiffness of the rear wheel in particular compared to MTB wheels.
And what kind of tyres fit on it?
Crankbrothers specifies a minimum tyre width of 30 millimetres for the Synthesis wheels, with a maximum tyre width of 55 millimetres. However, according to the manufacturer, tyre widths of 40 to 48 millimetres are ideal. This should particularly suit those who like to ride wider tyres on their gravel bike, as the larger inner width of the rim increases the ground contact area and therefore traction. It also increases the stability of the sidewall.
In a table from 2020, tyre manufacturer Schwalbe specifies possible combinations of tyre width and inner rim width and also compares its own data with the ETRTO values. Schwalbe says that with inner rim widths of 26/27 millimetres, tyres from 37 to 83 millimetres fit. The ETRTO standard specifies a narrower range: 47 to 65 millimetres.
Over the past few years, we have already observed how the jaw widths of both road bikes and mountain bikes have increased.
Why wider rims?
- Less vibration, less fatigue: Wider rims allow the use of wider tyres with lower tyre pressure, resulting in smoother driving on rough surfaces. The lower tyre pressure allows the tyre to adapt better to the surface, reducing the unevenness of the ground and the stress on the tyre when hitting obstacles. This results in less driver fatigue.
- Better control and stability as well as better grip in bends: The wider rims reduce the balloon-like shape of the tyre. A wider tyre on a narrow rim is not supported by the rim when cornering. This leads to instability and ultimately to air loss.
The Synthesis Gravel Carbon wheels at the BIKE Festival 2023
At the FSA BIKE-Festival Garda Trentino Crankbrothers showed the new Synthesis wheels on a gravel bike from 3T.
The Crankbrothers Synthesis gravel wheels in detail
Crankbrothers Synthesis Gravel Alloy
- Wheel sizes: 700c / 650b
- Tubeless compatible
- Spokes: Sapim D-Light spokes; 28 spokes each front and rear
- Jaw width: 26.5 millimetres
- Hubs: Synthesis Standard hubs
- Brake mount: Centrelock
- Axle: 12x100 front wheel / 142x12 rear wheel
- Freewheel: XDR or HDR freewheel body
- Weight: 700c - 1917 grams; 650b - 1769 grams
- Price: front wheel 239.99 euros, rear wheel 359.99 euros
Crankbrothers Synthesis Gravel Carbon
- Wheel sizes: 700c / 650b
- Tubeless compatible
- Spokes: Sapim D-Light spokes; 28 spokes each front and rear
- Jaw width: 26.5 millimetres
- Hubs: Synthesis ratchet hubs with 10° engagement
- Brake mount: Centrelock
- Axle: 12x100 front wheel / 142x12 rear wheel
- Freewheel: XDR or HDR freewheel body
- Weight: 700c - 1544 grams; 650b - 1517 grams
- Price: front wheel 239.99 euros, rear wheel 359.99 euros
- Price: front wheel 599.99 euros, rear wheel: 899.99 euros
Sandra Schuberth
Editor
