UCI Medical Commission president Dr. Matthias Baumann has spoken to CyclingUpToDate and RadsportAktuell regarding several major topics within the current cycling safety debate: Where the UCI representative stands on GPS tracking, concussion protocols and much more. The 2026 cycling calendar for wo...

Deep, wide and made in Germany: with the Streem G.62 CS, NEWMEN bring 62 mm deep, 45 mm wide carbon rims to gravel racing at one of the lowest prices in the test. An optional concealed aero valve promises to squeeze out every last watt. But can this all-out racing approach take the wheelset to the top of our big gravel wheel group test?This wheelset was tested as part of our big 2026 gravel wheel group test you can find an overview of all the wheels on test here.NEWMEN Streem G.62 CS | 1,526 g | 1,690 | Manufacturer websiteBased in Germanys Allgu region, NEWMEN have long made a name for themselves with lightweight hubs and wheels, and the CS version of the Streem G.62 is even manufactured in Germany. Its rims are designed specifically for tires from 45 to 50 mm wide, combining a 62 mm depth with an exceptionally wide external profile. Together with the ENVE G SES 6.7 Pro, it represents one of the most radical aerodynamic concepts in the test, although it sits in a completely different price bracket. Out on the course, it quickly reveals itself as a true racing machine.Deep-Section Performance at a Bargain Price The NEWMEN Carbon Gravel Wheelset in DetailThe NEWMEN Streem G.62 CS makes no compromises when it comes to aerodynamics. Both rims are 62 mm deep, making it the deepest in this test field, while its 45 mm external width also places it among the widest. Despite those substantial dimensions, the NEWMEN keeps its weight reasonably low at 1,526 g on our scales, compared with the manufacturers claimed 1,530 g. Internal rim width is a more moderate 27 mm, with our 45 mm Continental Competition control tire measuring 46.2 mm at the front and 46.1 mm at the rear. The conventional hooked rims are optimised for tires between 45 and 50 mm wide and approved for a maximum system weight of 130 kg.Going deep At 62 mm deep front and rear, no other wheelset in the test has deeper rims.Hide and seek The optional concealed valve disappears into the rim profile but makes everyday use considerably more complicated.Everyday headache The special valve looks clean, but the additional accessories make it unnecessarily awkward to live with.NEWMEN use 21 Vonoa Aerowide carbon spokes per wheel, laced to slim Fade-R hubs. These use a three-pawl mechanism with 36 points of engagement, which ensures a pleasantly quiet freehub. But thats not the only unconventional feature. NEWMENs proprietary Streem valve system allows their Schrader-type tubeless valve to be hidden inside the rim. To inflate the tire or check its pressure, youll need a special adapter that connects to the valve through an opening in the rim. According to NEWMEN, the main benefit is improved aerodynamics. We rode both valve configurations, and both work. However, the conventional valve is clearly the better choice for everyday riding. It lets you adjust tire pressure without fiddling around with adapters, replacement parts are readily available, and you wont need to carry an extra attachment in your jersey pocket in case of a puncture. At 1,690, the NEWMEN are among the most affordable wheels in the test. The Streem G.62 are also available with steel spokes for just 1,390. Both versions come with a three-year warranty and a lifetime, transferable crash replacement programme offering a 50% discount on the recommended retail price.Vonoa inside The 21 carbon spokes per wheel deliver high stiffness and a genuine racing aesthetic.Slim profile The Fade-R hub with its three-pawl mechanism is lightweight and pleasantly quiet.Racing Machine The NEWMEN Streem G.62 CS on TestOut on our test route, the NEWMEN quickly proves its built for speed. Subjectively, its the most efficient wheelset in the test. Its wide, deep rims seem to deliver a noticeable extra push, and its the only wheelset that helped us set several personal bests and even claim a few KOMs. Stiffness is clearly tuned for racing, making acceleration feel direct and purposeful. The Streem G.62 CS turns every effort into forward momentum and feels particularly convincing when youre pushing hard.Its handling strikes an excellent balance between precision and control. It responds quickly to steering inputs without feeling nervous, making it well suited to fast gravel riding, and it stays composed through corners while rewarding an assertive riding style. The trade-off is compliance. On rougher surfaces, the stiff construction transmits more impacts than the most comfortable wheelsets in the test. For riders who prioritize speed and responsive handling, however, the NEWMEN delivers a highly convincing racing experience.Feeling Versus Stopwatch? The NEWMEN Streem G.62 CS in the Wind TunnelOn the course, the NEWMEN feels like the fastest wheelset in the test. But does the wind tunnel confirm that impression? The answer is surprisingly disappointing. With a rider on board at 36 km/h, the NEWMEN requires 0.1 W more than our reference wheelset, the DT Swiss GRC 1100, a 0.9-second disadvantage over 40 km, though well within the measurement tolerance. Its high stiffness may explain the discrepancy: a direct, responsive wheelset feels fast on the road, whereas the wind tunnel measures aerodynamic drag alone. The concealed aero valve offers no measurable advantage either. Tested without a rider, the conventional valve configuration performed marginally better than NEWMENs proprietary solution. The difference is negligible, leaving the aero valve looking like a complicated answer to a problem that doesnt exist, and one that adds unnecessary hassle to everyday riding.Conclusions about the NEWMEN Streem G.62 CSThe NEWMEN Streem G.62 CS are genuine racing wheels, with deep, wide rims that deliver a direct, efficient ride and encourage you to chase new personal bests. Their handling hits the sweet spot for gravel, while the substantial rims and silver decals create a striking racing aesthetic. Youll have to accept a compromise in compliance, however, and the concealed aero valve offers no measurable advantage. At 1,690, the NEWMEN Streem G.62 CS delivers pure racing performance for comparatively little money.TopsSubjectively the fastest wheels in the testHandling hits the sweet spot for gravelPlenty of racing performance at a fair priceMade in GermanyFlopsLimited compliance on rough terrainNo measurable benefit from the aero valveMore information at newmen-components.de.The Test FieldThis wheelset was tested as part of our big 2026 gravel wheel group test you can find an overview of all the wheels on test here.All wheels on test: CADEX Max GXR | DT Swiss GRC 1100 DICUT 50 | ENVE G SES 6.7 Pro | Fulcrum Sharq GR | HUNT 5AM Gravel Limitless Ti_UD | Leeze CH 60 PRO GX | Light Bicycle AG48 | NEWMEN Streem G.62 CS | OQUO RP50LTD CS | Reserve 48|53 GR | Roval Terra Aero CLX | Vision SC 45 i30 | Zipp 303 XPLR SWDer Beitrag NEWMEN Streem G.62 CS Gravel Wheelset on Test erschien zuerst auf GRAN FONDO Cycling Magazine.

CyclistThrowing Van der Poel a bone: What do we make of the 2027 Giro dItalia route?The off-season is well underway, but 2027 is just around the corner. And just as the pros thought they could put their feet up for some rest, theyve got a new Grand Tour route to consider: the 2027 Giro dItalia.The route for the 110th edition of the Giro was unveiled this week, with Trieste playing co-host to a cross-border Grande Partenza shared with Slovenia. From the Adriatic, the race will spin around Italys mainland, with key GC rendezvous scheduled at the iconic Mortirolo and Zoncolan, plus Giro newbies Monte Livanta and Piani di Bobbio.For all the stage profiles, read our full stage-by-stage preview. Now that weve had a couple of days to assess the route, however, its time to ask what we can take away from the 2027 parcours. Who should be clearing their schedules for May 2027?A punchy MVDP-friendly opening weekChris AuldThe first three stages of the 2027 Giro conclude on punchy profiles, characterised by short steep ramps. Its the kind of thing that usually suits the Classics men who have a fair sprint on them.This could well be an attempt to attract the likes of Wout van Aert and Mathieu van der Poel to the race, both of whom have only ridden the Giro once before. And given the stages early slot in the parcours, the duo could both be in with a shout at getting hold of the pink jersey for a few days, at least until the race reaches the mountains on Stage 5.The problem is that the opening week of next years Tour de France is quite similar. Puncheurs dont have the chance to pull on the yellow jersey from Stage 1 there, but there are definitely several chances of stage glory early on in the 2027 edition. Targeting the Classics, Giro start and week one of the Tour might prove overly ambitious for Van der Poel, but that hasnt stopped him before. He tried that tactic in 2022, although he ultimately left the Tour empty-handed.The Dutchman has worn pink before, so theres no explicit need to go for it again in terms of jersey completion. Van Aert, however, is yet to wear the pink jersey. In fact, its the only leaders jersey missing from his Grand Tour collection.Mountain-heavy final weekChris AuldThe Giro is liberally punctuated by mountain stages next year. There are summit finishes throughout the first two weeks, often in locations that have never hosted the Corsa Rosa before.But as usual, the Giro has thrown il lavello della cucina at the final week of racing. Thats quite the contrast in comparison to the Tour in 2027, which relies on just two mountain stages in its final week, with only one finishing at altitude.The Giro dItalia, however, has thrown in a behemoth of a queen stage on day 16. Two ascents of the Mortirolo, one time up the Gavia and the slog to Aprica take this stages total elevation up to 5,700m. That makes this one of the toughest queen stages in a modern Grand Tour, at least in the post-doping era.The two remaining mountain stages look quite different, albeit they are similar in difficulty. Stage 18 to Madonna di Campiglio features half a dozen category one climbs en route to a tame final climb, while Stage 20s return to the Zoncolan tables a hellishly steep final ramp, which can only suit the specialists.In an ideal world, its the kind of week where everything could change. The three days suit different types of riders, so we could see the GC yo-yo over the course of the week. However, we still run the risk that the pink jersey ends up winning three stages that week, extending their gap in the process. Jonas Vingegaard, anyone?Its a bold move, but one that hopefully plays in the favour of fans at home craving some final week drama.Not one for the pure sprintersChris AuldThe Giro has gone back and forth on its stance on sprinting stages. Despite a feast of flat stages in 2026, the race failed to attract the big sprinting names some may have expected, especially when a pink jersey was on the line in Bulgaria.In response, the race has veered away from the purists, instead opting for a course favouring tougher sprinters in 2027. In fact, there are only four stages that directly suggest a sprint finish, and thats excluding any chance of breakaway success.On the other hand, there are around five stages that conclude either with slight uphills or with hills positioned within the final 15km. This should give the tougher sprinters, names like Mads Pedersen, Paul Magnier and Biniam Girmay, a bit of a leg-up, and a head-start in the points classification.That should be fine with them, however. The Tour already looked well suited for the sprinting purists. Theyve got two chances to wear the yellow jersey and a whole host of flat stages to contest next July.This could plunge Lidl-Trek into a conundrum. Italian champion Jonathan Milan will no doubt want to show off his jersey, but Pedersen would thrive on this route, setting him up for perhaps another maglia ciclamino run.Fishing for SloveniansRCS Sports & Events / Red Bull Content PoolWe speculated about who the Tour de France were trying to entice, so we should really do the same with the Giro.The most obvious line of argument for this is that the Tour are trying to lure in some Slovenians. The Grande Partenza is more Slovenian than it is Italian, and Im sure the Slovenians will be out to prove that on the roadside.Tadej Pogaar is very unlikely to bend his schedule in order to go to the Giro. Hes already shared his plan for 2027: Tour Down Under, Classics, then the Tour and Vuelta.Primo Rogli signing up for the Giro, however, is much more feasible. Arguably, hes just as famous in Slovenia as his five-time Tour-winning compatriot. He skipped the Tour last year, and without Vingegaard or Pogaar on the start line, he could have a genuine chance of reaching the podium. Thats if he ends up signing for a new team in 2027.Otherwise, the likes of Jakob Omrzel and Matej Mohori will provide some local intrigue. The former could even be contending for a top ten overall if his breakthrough Vuelta was anything to go by.However, I feel as though Slovenias role in the race could raise another question. Does this Slovenian Grande Partenza sound the death knell the end of the countrys Tour de France Grand Dpart bid?The Slovenian government made its bid official last summer, with 2029 and 2031 mentioned as target dates. While the government of Friuli-Venezia Giulia are footing most of the bill for the Giro start, it might be seen as too soon for a Grand Tour to start in Slovenia again.Then again, Turin welcomed the Giro, Tour and Vuelta all in the space of two years. Likewise, the Netherlands managed to wield hosting rights for the Tour and Giro in 2015 and 2016 respectively. Slovenias current position on the cycling map does make it unique, so race organisers might as well strike while the irons hot.How does it compare to the Tour?Chris AuldOne of my big criticisms of the 2027 Tour route was the lack of summit finishes. The Giro seems to have counterbalanced that by throwing in a total of seven. Theyre of varying difficulty too, varying from lighter 5% average climbs to the stinging double-digits of the Zoncolan. The latter is a much tougher climb than anything the Tour has opted for this year.Despite a parcours thats actually 2,000m lighter than the Tour in terms of total elevation gain, it feels as though the Giros route suits the climbers better. Thats because the mountains come in more influential bursts, noticably the seven summit finishes, although the Tours lack of high-altitude climbs seems to be mirrored at the Giro, with the exception of the 2,600m Passo Gavia.The Tours route raised eyebrows over its 71km of time-trials. The Giro had the chance to be reactionary to that, but instead stuck with the 56km already planned. Yes, one of the Giros time-trials will be uphill, but its not a crazy enough gradient to see it turn into a big GC showdown. So while the time-trialling kilometres are lower than the Tours, GC contenders will still be punished if they dont feel comfortable on a TT bike.Theres no clear answer as to who should go to Italy instead of the Tour for maximum profit, even if the seven summit finishes should entice purer climbers to Trieste.Sometimes it feels as though the Giro and Tour routes are too similar, but to their credit, next years races look to complement each other quite well. More importantly in terms of the overall GC, the sports two biggest names Pogaar and Vingegaard have already confirmed theyll be skipping the Giro in 2027. So who does that leave us with? Felix Gall and Paul Seixas, this may be your timeThe post Throwing Van der Poel a bone: What do we make of the 2027 Giro dItalia route? appeared first on Cyclist.

Former Italian professional cyclist Gianluca Pierobon, who claimed stage victories at the Giro d'Italia, Tour de Suisse and Tirreno-Adriatico during a decade in the professional peloton, has died aged 59 following a long illness. The news was reported on Thursday by Italian cycling publication Tutto...

Heavy, narrow and built with Swiss precision, the GRC 1100 DICUT 50 sees DT Swiss bring a proven classic to the fight for gravel honors. Conventional hooked rims, steel spokes and DT 180 hubs make the case that great wheels neednt chase every trend. The question is whether that tried-and-tested formula can compete with the latest generation in our big gravel wheel group test.This wheelset was tested as part of our big 2026 gravel wheel group test you can find an overview of all the wheels on test here.DT Swiss GRC 1100 DICUT 50 | 1,608 g | 2,499 | Manufacturer websiteFew names carry as much weight in hub design as DT Swiss, whose DT 180 hubs appear on several other wheelsets in this test. On the road, the brands ERC 1100 surprised us with its aerodynamics in our big 2024 carbon wheel group test, and the GRC 1100 DICUT 50 brings that philosophy to gravel. Conventional 50 mm deep hooked rims and a focus on durability and ride quality take priority over record-breaking specs. The wheelset also has a special role here: as our wind tunnel reference, its the benchmark every other wheelset is measured against.Swiss Precision The DT Swiss Carbon Gravel Wheelset in DetailDT Swiss have built the GRC 1100 DICUT 50 to last rather than to impress on the scales, and at 1,608 g, its the heaviest wheelset in the test. The rims are 50 mm deep and 36.5 mm wide externally, but their 24 mm internal width is the narrowest in the field. As a result, our 45 mm Continental Competition control tire barely changes shape, measuring 44.9 mm at the front and 44.8 mm at the rear. Conventional hooked rims approved for tires from 29 to 65 mm make it one of the most versatile wheelsets in the test when it comes to tire choice.Hooked up Conventional bead hooks allow tyre widths between 29 and 65 mm.Narrow profile With a 24 mm internal rim width, the 45 mm tyre stays almost exactly true to its nominal dimensions.Silver lining The understated design features subtle silver decals that add just a touch of contrast.Each wheel uses 24 of DT Swisss own Aerolite II steel spokes, laced to DT Swiss 180 hubs with Ratchet EXP, 36 points of engagement and SINC ceramic bearings, and the freehub makes its familiar, clearly audible DT Swiss buzz. Understated yet surprisingly stylish, with a distinctive rim profile and particularly attractive hubs, its our favorite wheelset in the test on looks alone. Technologically, the 2024 model is no longer the newest design here, but at 2,499, it sits mid-field on price. Beyond the statutory warranty, DT Swiss offer original owners 10 years of Fair-Share crash replacement cover, with replacement wheels at 249 each.The heart of the wheel The DT Swiss 180 hub with Ratchet EXP and ceramic bearings is tried and tested, although its hardly silent.Shaped steel The 24 Aerolite II spokes per wheel are conventional and straightforward to replace.Effortlessly Quick The DT Swiss GRC 1100 DICUT 50 on TestOur test route quickly reveals a surprise. Given its weight and age, the DT Swiss accelerates with unexpected eagerness and proves thoroughly enjoyable to ride. It cant quite match the responsiveness of the carbon-spoked competition, and you certainly notice its weight on the climbs. Stiffness, however, is almost perfectly tuned to the wheelsetsintended use, although a little more would give them an extra kick when accelerating.In corners, the DT Swiss wheels feel composed, confidence-inspiring and more direct than the other steel-spoked wheels in the test, particularly the considerably more passive Fulcrum. Comfort is well balanced on normal gravel. However, once the terrain gets rougher, the DT Swiss reveal their weakness. On trails, they feel harsh, transmitting impacts directly to the rider and becoming noticeably more unsettled. The relatively narrow tyre profile contributes to this behaviour. Overall, they remain a balanced, understated and almost perfectly executed wheelset, held back primarily by their acceleration and harshness on rough trails.Benchmark or Mid-Pack? The DT Swiss GRC 1100 DICUT 50 in the Wind TunnelLively on the course, the DT Swiss raises an obvious question: how aerodynamic is the reference wheelset itself? On feel, more than we expected. Its deep rims and distinctive profile seem to work well together, and it rides like an efficient wheelset that sits comfortably mid-field. In the wind tunnel, it sets the zero baseline for every other wheelset, and few rivals beat it by a significant margin, with almost the entire field falling within the measurement tolerance. That an older design still holds its own against newer ones is perhaps the most remarkable finding. The tire may play a part. Because we measure wheel and tire as a complete system, the narrow rims give the Continental Competition a particularly compact profile.Conclusions about the DT Swiss GRC 1100 DICUT 50The DT Swiss GRC 1100 DICUT 50 sets the benchmark in our test field, and not only in the wind tunnel. Balanced, predictable handling and an uncomplicated ride make it easy to live with, and surprisingly lively acceleration, proven DT Swiss technology with ceramic bearings and a clean, premium look make the package hard to argue with. Rough trails expose its limits, where it feels harsh and its weight makes itself felt. For riders who value durability over passing trends, though, 2,499 buys a tried-and-tested carbon gravel wheelset that never misses a beat.TopsBalanced, predictable handlingSurprisingly lively for their weightProven DT Swiss 180 technology with ceramic bearingsUnderstated, premium appearanceFlopsHeaviest wheelset in the testVery harsh on rough trailsMore information at dtswiss.de.The Test FieldThis wheelset was tested as part of our big 2026 gravel wheel group test you can find an overview of all the wheels on test here.All wheels on test: CADEX Max GXR | DT Swiss GRC 1100 DICUT 50 | ENVE G SES 6.7 Pro | Fulcrum Sharq GR | HUNT 5AM Gravel Limitless Ti_UD | Leeze CH 60 PRO GX | Light Bicycle AG48 | NEWMEN Streem G.62 CS | OQUO RP50LTD CS | Reserve 48|53 GR | Roval Terra Aero CLX | Vision SC 45 i30 | Zipp 303 XPLR SWDer Beitrag DT Swiss GRC 1100 DICUT 50 Gravel Wheelset on Test erschien zuerst auf GRAN FONDO Cycling Magazine.

The new Arcadia Cradle is a steerer-tube-mounted handlebar cradle made from carbon tubes and CNC-machined parts. With an integrated accessory mount and hidden storage, it looks like an intriguing option. Check it out here...The post The Arcadia Cradle is a Steerer-Mounted Cradle with Hidden Storage appeared first on BIKEPACKING.com.

3T has launched the Racemax+ WPNT gravel race bike. The replacement for the previous-generation Racemax WPNT, the bike increases tyre clearance to 51mm as measured, while the geometry has been updated to increase stability.Along with the updates, theres a price decrease, which 3T says reduces the price for the three complete builds available by around 1,000 from the previous-generation bike. 3T has also added more sizes to the gravel bike range, with six frame sizes from XS to XXL, which it says will fit riders from 145cm to over 192cm in height.The WPNT suffix indicates the new Racemax+ frame is made in Asia, using pre-preg carbon sheets, but painted and assembled in Italy (it denotes We Paint). 3T also makes pricier bikes in Italy, which all come with the Italia suffix and use filament winding for a lighter frameset.More stable geometry Chainstay length has been increased by 7mm from the previous-generation bike. 3T says it has tweaked the geometry, adding 3mm to both the reach and stack across the size range, with the exception of the XS frame.It has also increased the chainstay length to 425mm from 418mm across the size range, while the fork offset has been increased by 3mm, to add extra stability. The head tube angle has been increased by close to one degree, which 3T says improves steering accuracy. Together, these changes are claimed to offer increased handling predictability at high speeds.When Warren reviewed the Racemax2 Italia, which shares the previous-generation bike's geometry, he found it a handful on more technical trails, which 3T's geo updates may have helped to rectify. Higher specs are equipped with 3T's latest one-piece gravel cockpit. As with the previous-generation Racemax, launched in 2020, and indeed all 3Ts gravel bikes going back to the original Exploro, which was launched in 2016, the Racemax+ has aero tube profiles, gearing it up for racing and faster gravel rides.3T says the Racemax+ WPNT is aero optimised for tyres from 38mm to 48mm, although theres space for 51mm tyres when specced with a 1x groupset. This drops to 48mm with a double-chainring setup. The wide down tube shields the water bottles, although there's no in-frame storage. The down tube spreads out towards its base to shield the bottles from the airflow, although theres no in-frame storage.You can fit both mechanical and electronic groupsets, with 3Ts Semi-Integrale tech enabling you to route up to three cables internally into the head tube. This limits setups to 1x mechanical, but means you can fit both 1x and 2x electronic groupsets.Along with the frame updates, 3T has decreased the price from the previous-generation Racemax WPNT and claims an equivalent build of the new bike is around 1,000 cheaper.3T Racemax+ WPNT outline specs and prices In the UK and US, 3T will sell two Rival XPLR AXS equipped specs. 3T will sell the Racemax+ WPNT in three pre-built specs and frameset-only, priced at 3,200. Shimano GRX 1x12 with Fulcrum Lite GR wheels: N/A / $N/A / 3,700 SRAM Rival XPLR AXS with Fulcrum Lite GR wheels: 4,053 / $4,800 / 4,600 SRAM Rival XPLR AXS with 3T Discus 40|30 wheels: 4,670 / $5,600 / 5,300The SRAM spec bikes come with 3Ts latest one-piece Uno GHIAIA carbon gravel cockpit and theres the option to upgrade to its Torno crankset.

More tyre clearance, more sizes and a tweaked geometry comes to 3T's raciest gravel race bike

Mikkel Bjerg has spent seven seasons helping Tadej Pogacar beat Jonas Vingegaard, but the Danish rider would relish the chance to reverse those roles at the 2027 World Championships. Should Vingegaard finally make his elite Worlds debut in Sallanches, one of Pogacar's longest-serving UAE Team Emirat...

Wide, stiff and affordable, the AG48 sees Light Bicycle bring ultra-wide carbon rims from its own factory in China to the gravel racing scene. Our custom-built test wheelset has the lowest starting price in the test, though the final bill ends up somewhat higher. The question is whether a direct-to-consumer wheelset can take on the established brands in our big gravel wheel group test.This wheelset was tested as part of our big 2026 gravel wheel group test you can find an overview of all the wheels on test here.Light Bicycle AG48 | 1,481 g | 993.64 plus import | Manufacturer websiteBased in Chinas Fujian province, Light Bicycle have been manufacturing carbon rims since 2011, selling both rims and custom-configured wheelsets direct to customers. The AG48 has been available since May 2026, and Light Bicycle claims nothing less than that its the fastest gravel wheelset ever made. Its ultra-wide rims are designed for tires of at least 44 mm, with Light Bicycle recommending 45 mm as the ideal match. As the only direct-to-consumer wheelset in the test, the AG48 also enters with by far the lowest starting price.Direct from China The Light Bicycle Carbon Gravel Wheelset in DetailWidth is clearly the name of the game for Light Bicycle. At 48 mm deep and with a massive 35 mm internal width, the AG48 rims are the widest in the entire test field alongside the ENVE. The external width, however, is just 40 mm. As a result, our 45 mm Continental Competition control tire expands to 49 mm, overhanging the rim sidewalls noticeably, though without any ill effect on handling. The hybrid-hook design is approved for tires between 44 and 55 mm, with a maximum pressure of 3.79 bar when running 45 mm tires. At 1,481 g on our scales, the AG48 wheelset sits in the middle of the pack for weight. Light Bicycle dont specify a weight for the complete wheelset, although they claim 460 g for each rim.Ultra-wide With a 35 mm internal rim width, the 45 mm Continental Competition tire grows to 49 mm.Hybrid Hook With 45 mm tires, the rims are approved for pressures of up to 3.79 bar.No paint The unpainted UD carbon has a clean, understated look and is intended to save weight.Hubs and spokes are left to the customer. Our test wheelset pairs Light Bicycles in-house Pace hubs, running on steel bearings with a 48-tooth ratchet, with 24 black Sapim CX-Ray steel spokes per wheel. The freehub makes no secret of its presence, a fitting soundtrack for a wheelset with racing ambitions.In the configuration we tested, the wheelset costs 993.64, though thats not the final price. Shipping, import VAT and customs duties all come on top of that. Ordering, delivery and any potential warranty claims also have to be handled directly with the manufacturer, which makes the process more complicated than buying from a German or European retailer. However, a planned EU shop with a warehouse in France should make things easier.Light Bicycle offer a five-year warranty on the rims, which you can upgrade to lifetime cover for an additional charge, along with a crash replacement programme offering a 25% discount.Made to measure Light Bicycle let you configure the hubs, spokes and components to suit your preferences.Loud and clear With its 48-tooth ratchet, the Pace hub sounds every bit the racer.Thoroughbred Racer The Light Bicycle AG48 on TestThe AG48 doesnt just look the part on our test route. High stiffness gives it powerful acceleration, converting every pedal stroke straight into forward momentum, and its correspondingly quick on the straights, even without a noticeable sail effect.Through corners, that stiffness, combined with low crosswind sensitivity, makes it easy to control and precise at holding a line. Comfort is the price. On trails, it can get a little unsettled and demands a firm hand.That sets it apart from all-rounders like the Roval. The AG48 is a pure racing wheelset, and it wont suit every rider or every ride. For those who put outright speed first and enjoy a lively racer, though, its a lot of fun.The Fastest Ever? The Light Bicycle AG48 in our Wind TunnelThe AG48 certainly feels like a racing wheel out on the course. But can it deliver on Light Bicycles bold claim of being the fastest gravel wheelset ever made?On the road, the AG48 feels quick, though it shows no noticeable sail effect, and crosswinds barely trouble it despite the relatively narrow external rim width. The wind tunnel largely backs up those impressions. With a rider on board at 36 km/h, the AG48 needs 1.1 W less than our DT Swiss GRC 1100 reference wheelset, a 7.6-second advantage over 40 km. That margin sits within the measurement tolerance, however, so the fastest gravel wheelset ever made it is not.Light Bicycles ambitious claim doesnt hold up in our testing, though neither does the AG48 show any aerodynamic weakness. The tire offers a possible explanation. Because we always test wheel and tire as a complete system, the 49 mm Continental Competition, which sits well proud of the 40 mm external rim width, forms part of the measured result.Conclusions about the Light Bicycle AG48Value is the Light Bicycle AG48s trump card. High stiffness, strong acceleration and ultra-wide rims make it a convincing budget racer, and youre free to choose your own hubs and spokes. Comfort and rough-terrain composure are the compromises, and importing direct from China takes more effort than a trip to your local bike shop. But for 993.64, plus shipping, import VAT and customs duties, it delivers serious racing performance to riders prepared to do the extra legwork, both before the ride and during it.TopsExceptionally low starting priceHigh stiffness and powerful accelerationUltra-wide rimsCustomisable configurationFlopsLimited comfort on rough terrainAdditional import costs and hassleMore information at lightbicycle.com.The Test FieldThis wheelset was tested as part of our big 2026 gravel wheel group test you can find an overview of all the wheels on test here.All wheels on test: CADEX Max GXR | DT Swiss GRC 1100 DICUT 50 | ENVE G SES 6.7 Pro | Fulcrum Sharq GR | HUNT 5AM Gravel Limitless Ti_UD | Leeze CH 60 PRO GX | Light Bicycle AG48 | NEWMEN Streem G.62 CS | OQUO RP50LTD CS | Reserve 48|53 GR | Roval Terra Aero CLX | Vision SC 45 i30 | Zipp 303 XPLR SWDer Beitrag Light Bicycle AG48 Gravel Wheelset on Test erschien zuerst auf GRAN FONDO Cycling Magazine.