Seido Geon wheelset from the Bombtrack componentry brand is a gravel-specific aluminium wheelset that combines a reliable star-ratchet hub with relatively lightweight 25mm-section rims at an affordable price. The set offers noticeable performance gains and excellent value for money, making these a worthy consideration in the highly competitive best gravel wheelset category.
- What is a gravel bike?
- Best gravel tyres 2023 - fast and grippy rubber for all conditions
- 2023 UK gravel events - the best off-road races of the year
Seido Geon wheelset - Technical details
Seido basically brands the Geon as a gravel race-ready aluminium wheelset. The alloy rims feature an asymmetric (to achieve more even spoke tension on both sides of the wheel), hooked clincher rim design with a 25mm depth and 23mm internal width, which is pretty standard for gravel wheels.
The rims are laced with 24 straight pull spokes via Seido hubs, which feature a 36T star ratchet drive system. Seido says the “light-weight rims and straight pull spokes make for a very direct power transfer as you would need it in every corner of a race”.
The Geon wheelset is available in both 650b and 700C rim configurations, the maximum system weight (rider and bike) for these wheels is 110kg and they come equipped with tubeless rim tape, tubeless valves and spare spokes. The recommended tyre width for these wheels is 30mm to 60mm.
The wheelset has a claimed weight of 1,613g including tubeless tape and valves.
Seido Geon wheelset - Performance
I’ve not managed to race on the Geon wheelset but its stiffness has really made my serious Strava cup hunting easier. The unpretentious, non-brazen looks add to the appeal of these wheels - they definitely offer more in terms of performance than bold looks.
I’ve set them up with 40mm Hutchinson Overide tyres and more recently swapped them to Continental Terra Speeds, both of which sit on the rim width nicely without compromising the tyre's contact patch.
The Overides didn't seat with a track pump and would only pop into place using a Co2 inflator. That said, I had no issues seating the Continentals with just a track pump, so I can't really fault the rims alone for the trouble I had with the Overides. The tubeless valves and tubeless tape that came with the wheels were both of great quality, as well.
I’ve ridden the wheels both with a loaded bike and without, and they have a very confidence-inspiring ride feel to them - they are stiff enough to not flex when sprinting or putting in an effort on a hill. The rims are very shallow at 25mm, meaning that they are no issue even in high winds.
The rims are laced with straight-pull Pillar spokes, 24 on each wheel, which goes against the rear-wheel gravel trend of 28 spokes for added strength on rough surfaces. I had no issues with the 24 spokes, but I am not particularly heavy and can comfortably ride 24-spoke wheels without buckling or breaking them. And in Seido’s defence, the wheelset is labelled as ‘race’, not adventure, which means that usually, light weight is more important than absolute strength that comes from having more spokes.
The star ratchet freehub has a very enjoyable buzz sound, nothing too intrusive but enough to warn walkers on the gravel paths. The engagement from the 36T ratchet is rapid enough to help with quick accelerations and proved reliable for the duration of my testing time. The hubs are perhaps the one thing that at this price point is really not a given in terms of quality, but the ones on the Geon wheels add performance for off-road riding, as they're fuss-free and simple to maintain. After about four months of riding, I have noticed small scratches on the freehub body, but these are not uncommon and really only cosmetic.
Lastly, the weight. My wheelset, with Seido’s tubeless valves, weighed in at 1,674g (904g rear/ 770g front) and at this price point, I think the weight is really impressive and definitely helps in powering up hills. The weight, combined with the stiffness, really makes these wheels live up to the claim to be race-ready.
Seido Geon wheelset - Verdict
Seido Geon wheelset lives up to its claims of being a race-ready alloy wheelset. They’re very reasonably priced and come with a durable and quick-engaging ratchet hub and a pleasant ride feel.
Tyres can have a bigger impact on your ride quality than the wheels themselves, but I found that the Geon definitely increased my performance on the bike when I rode them with the same tyres and pressures as on my go-to-wheelset.
The Parcours Alta gravel wheelset that Aaron tested recently is a close competitor to the Geons. Those hoops shave over 100g off the weight of Geons and add millimetres to the rim width - but also cost £899, so considerably more.
Deda Elementi Gera Gravel Alloy Tubeless Ready Wheels (£535) are close in terms of price but Matt said they come with no spare spokes and weigh 1,736g. DT Swiss GR 1600 Spline 25 Clincher Gravel wheelset is similar in depth and price and comes with 36T DT Swiss 350 hubs, but they tip the scales at 1,895g.
Overall, I think these are a worthy upgrade for everyone who wants to step up from stock wheels to something lighter, stiffer and reliable. For the price, I don’t think you can go wrong with the Seido Geon wheelset.
Add comment