Boyd Cycling is rolling out two new 55mm carbon wheelsets built for very different jobs. One is a deep, light aero road set meant to kill the usual fast but heavy excuse. The other is a purpose-built gravel race wheel that says yes, aero matters in the dirt too.(All Photos/Boyd)Deep wheels usually come with a catch. Theyre fast, but always kinda heavy, or theyre light, but fragile because of that. Deep wheels are great on a smooth road, and less convincing once the surface gets rough. The biggest challenge can be the wind; a poorly designed rim can act like a sail in crosswind, making a hard pace nearly impossible.The South Carolina wheel brand is adding two new 55mm carbon wheelsets to its Podium lineup: the Pinnacle Race for gravel and the 55 Road Disc SL for road. Both use Boyds new Grade 54 hubs, both are hand-built, and both lean hard into aero benefits without dragging around the usual deep-section penalty. The difference is in where each wheelset works.One wants race numbers zip-tied to a gravel bike. The other wants fast road miles, rolling terrain, and a rider who no longer wants to choose between aero set and climbing set.Boyd Pinnacle Race: Deep Gravel Wheels Race ReadyThe more eyebrow-raising of the two is the Pinnacle Race. A 55mm gravel wheels still sound slightly unhinged until you remember what modern gravel racing actually looks like now.Boyd says the Pinnacle Race was built specifically for that version of gravel. The Pinnacle Race uses a 55mm-deep, hookless carbon rim, a 28mm internal width, and a 33mm external width. Boyd says the recommended tire starting point is 40mm and up, with the wheel optimized for 45mm-plus tires.Lightweight & Durability Come StandardClaimed weight is 1354 grams for the set, split 618g front and 736g rear, which is pretty light for a gravel wheel this deep. The new rims use T1000 aerospace-grade carbon and carry a claimed 150-joule impact resistance, putting the durability claim in possible enduro-MTB territory. Boyd also gives the rim a 2.5mm spoke offset to better equalize spoke tension and improve responsiveness. Boyd 55 Road Disc SLBoyds 55 Road Disc SL sits at the top of the Podium Series and is meant to deliver deep-section aero benefit without feeling like a punishment every time the road tips up. Claimed weight is 1329 grams for the set, with 610g front and 719g rear, which is very tidy for a 55mm hooked tubeless road wheel.That weight comes from a 400g rim built from T1000 aerospace-grade carbon. Boyd says the full wheelset lands more than 200 grams lighter than comparable premium wheels in the 50mm-plus category.The 55 Road Disc SL uses a 24mm internal width and 29mm external width, with recommended tire sizes from 28mm to 38mm. That puts it squarely in line with where modern road riding has gone: bigger tires, better shape, and a better ride.Boyd also says the road wheel carries a claimed 140-joule impact strength, thanks to reinforcement around the bead hook and spoke bed. So while this one is clearly chasing speed, it is also being sold as a real-world wheel. One that can take a bit of bad handling and poorly maintained roads. Same Hubs Hand-Built ApproachOne of the cleaner parts of the launch is that both wheelsets share Boyds new Grade 54 straight-pull ratchet hubs.The hubset weighs a claimed 270 grams for the pair and uses a 54-tooth ratchet for 6.6 degrees of engagement, along with Enduro ABEC-5 bearings. Boyd says the hubs offer tool-free service and quick-swap freehub bodies for Shimano, SRAM, and Campagnolo.Both the Pinnacle Race and the 55 Road Disc SL are also hand-built, using 24 spokes front and rear, Pillar Wing 20 spokes, Pillar double-square alloy nipples, and 2x lacing at both ends. Both come with tubeless tape and valves installed, and both are backed by a lifetime warranty.Pricing & AvailabilityBoth wheelsets retail for $2,100 USD, 1,860 GBP, and 2,150 EUR, with UK and Euro pricing including VAT. Orders are open now, and Boyd says shipping is expected to begin before the end of April.The bigger question is whether your idea of speed currently lives on pavement or somewhere out past the county line.Boyd Pinnacle Race gravel wheelsetPrice: $2,100 / 1,860 / 2,150Rim depth: 55mmRim type: Hookless carbon tubelessWidth: 28mm internal / 33mm externalWheel size: 700cSpokes: 24 front / 24 rear, Pillar Wing 20Hubs: Boyd Grade 54 straight-pull ratchet hubsBearings: Enduro ABEC-5Weight: 1354g set / 618g front / 736g rearRecommended tire size: 40mm+Other details: 150J impact resistance, 2.5mm spoke offset, tubeless tape and valves installed, lifetime warrantyBoyd 55 Road Disc SLPrice: $2,100 / 1,860 / 2,150Rim depth: 55mmRim type: Hooked carbon tubelessWidth: 24mm internal / 29mm externalWheel size: 700cSpokes: 24 front / 24 rear, Pillar Wing 20Hubs: Boyd Grade 54 straight-pull ratchet hubsBearings: Enduro ABEC-5Weight: 1329g set / 610g front / 719g rearRecommended tire size: 28-38mmOther details: 140J impact resistance, 2.5mm spoke offset, tubeless tape and valves installed, lifetime warrantyBoydcycling.comThe post Boyd Goes Deep with New Pinnacle Race Gravel Wheels and 55 Road Disc SL appeared first on Bikerumor.