Stan's No Tubes have just released two new 700c rims (and wheelsets) suitable for gravel, cyclocross and cross country riders. The Grail CB7 and MK3 have been updated and redesigned to be paired with wider tyres and used with lower pressures. 

• Vlog: We go to the MTBMeetup
• 5 Cool things in for test from Julbo, Topeak and WTB

Grail CB7 

The carbon Grail CB7 rim is, Stan's say, the lightest gravel wheel on the market. They give a claimed weight for the rim of 300g, that's 30g lighter than the new Enve G23 rims, which is also a 700c rim. The new rims have a 21.6mm internal width and 26.4mm external which is designed to be used with anything from a 25mm road tye right up to a 40mm gravel tyre. Stan's say that the Grail CB7 is designed to be smoother and faster by combining lateral stiffness with the softest riding feel of any wheelset. 

Stan's also say the wheels are now developed exclusively for disc brakes and proper tubeless tyres, the low profile rim has a small hook and can be run up to 85psi/5.9bar with a narrow 25mm tire (less with bigger tire volumes). 

In the carbon layup, Stan’s uses their ‘radial impact absorbing carbon technology’ (RiACT), which claims to better absorb vibrations and distributes impacts further for better wheel durability, even reducing the occurrence of pinch flats even more. The Grail’s short sidewalls along with RiACT technology also is said to allow for low tire pressures without the fear of pinch flatting a tire or damaging a rim, offering decreased rolling resistance.

Here are the vital stats:

• 700c
• Internal width - 21.6mm, external width - 26.4mm
• Wheelsets built with Stan’s Neo Ultimate (Pro) / Stan’s Neo (Team)
• Sapim Laser Black 1.8/1.5/1.8mm (Pro) / Sapim Force Black 2.0/1.7/1.8mm (Team)
• 300g rim weigh
• Wheelset 1,277g (Pro) / 1,360g (Team)
• Rim cost - $600 each
• Pro - $1,635 / Team $1,399

Grail MK3

The Grail MK3 rim is set to bring similar performance as the carbon wheelset but in a more affordable alloy rim/wheelset. The Grail MK3's internal width (20.3mm) and patented Bead Socket Technology rim design are optimized for 25-40mm tires. They have an external width of 24mm and weigh in at 440g per rim. Again Stan's say that '"the Grail MK3’s rim shape is even designed to avoid tire pinch flats, allowing ‘cross and gravel racers to run lower pressures that absorb impacts and improve traction". The aluminium rims can withstand max pressures of 110ps with a 25mm tire if required.

The alloy Grail MK3 is offered in just one complete wheelset rather than two, laced up to Neo Durasync hubs with Sapim Force spokes (28 front and rear).

Stats:

• 700c
• Internal width - 20.3mm, external width - 24mm
• Wheelsets built with Stan’s Neo hubs
• Sapim Force Black spokes
• 440g rim weigh
• Wheelset 1675g
• $105 per rim
• Wheelset - $700

• www.notubes.com

You might also like: 

• Deals for the Dirt - it's the off-road roundup!
• Win - ION gear on Facebook, here's how
• Review - Bombtrack Hook EXT C