XPLOR: My all-road specific rim (vs. pure gravel), the XPLOR is 40x30mm wide external with a 24mm internal width and a deeper hookless bead designed for better tire retention at higher pressure than a mountain bike style bead found on the gravel wheels. If you like all day rides on a wider road tire, or rolling gravel, or you want to do a fast group ride on a road slick as well as hit some rocky gravel with a 43mm casing, the XPLOR does it all.
Very similar to the Enve AR 3.4, the XPLOR is aero optimized for 28-30 road tires at a width appropriate 70 PSI max inflation pressure (if you are determined to run 25mm tires at 90SPI, check out the VAM or MIDL). A 28mm slick will usually measure 30mm on the wide rim. The 24mm width is also great for a fat gravel tire from 35 to 45mm for maximum flotation and grip. At 1,400gr with tape and valves (DT240) or 1,430gr on I9, they are best in class weight. Up here in New England, a lot of our riding is hilly and in the Midwest it's really windy, so in our opinion the shallower, lighter wheels are the better balance for an all-roads wheel.
For 2021, rims are now constructed using graphene doped Toray T800 carbon fiber. Graphene doping is a new process using wherein a very small amount of graphene (under 2%) is added to the carbon matrix during processing. Scientific testing has demonstrated significant increases in strength and impact resistance results from the graphene doping process. Our testing has shown this to be true in practice, allowing pretty significant weight reductions in the rim construction.
The XPLOR is built in a 24 hole, 2-cross configuration. I have found 24 spokes to be the optimal set up for performance oriented riding up to about 190 pound rider weight for almost any use. For heavier riders or for more adventuresome exploring or bike packing durability, I also offer the XPLOR XL, which is a 28H version and can be built with a stiffer spoke like the Sapim CX Sprint for better flex management.
All wheels come tubeless taped with premium alloy valve stems installed, ready for you to mount tubeless tires. Through axles are not provided with wheels as they are part of the bike frame system.
Great! This is the 4th set I’ve gotten from Jerry (CX, road, track, and aluminum road from quite a while ago.). They are all going strong. Couldn’t recommend more highly.
I found the wheels as great value for what you get and rode superbly. The XPLORs woke up my bike like a high end wheelset should. They provided a really solid platform form my gravel bike to diesel! Top notch.
These wheels in the new heartstopping black on black color scheme are the last set of wheels I should ever need. I have no idea what magic pool these came out of to be so light. They are transformative. Fantastic aero profile with a Schwalbe G-One 30mm tire. I didn't want a tall aero wheel, just something modest, and this is truly perfect. I've had them on both my Tarmac and Crux and can't decide which one they should stay on long-term, they have revived both of these bikes.