High‑Profile Gravel Wheels: Yes or No? A Quick Guide to What Really Matters
Let’s be honest: the idea of running a set of high‑profile carbon wheels on your gravel bike excites every one of us. Aero carbon gravel wheels are not only faster than ever, they’re now more comfortable too, thanks to wider internal channels that allow for bigger tires. Modern carbon rims are stiff where it counts, work seamlessly with carbon frames, and in many cases are lighter than previous generations. In other words, resisting the temptation is… tough.
But when it’s time to actually upgrade your gravel wheels, the same doubt always creeps in: Does aero really matter off‑road? The short answer is yes, more than you think.
How Aero Wheels Really Work
The rise of high‑profile rims has reshaped both road and gravel riding. The physics is straightforward: spokes, especially those farthest from the hub, create turbulence and drag. A deeper rim keeps airflow laminar for longer, reducing turbulence and making the wheel more efficient.
In theory, the higher the rim profile, the more aerodynamically efficient it becomes. A disc wheel eliminates spokes entirely, removing turbulence altogether. But in real‑world gravel riding, especially at lower speeds, things get more complicated.
Crosswinds matter. At gravel speeds, crosswind forces influence stability far more than on the road. To understand when a deep rim helps, or doesn’t, we need to talk about one key concept: yaw angle.
Understanding Yaw Angle
Yaw angle describes the angle at which the wind hits you and your bike. It’s a combination of your speed, your direction, and the wind’s speed and direction.
Road cyclists, especially pros, ride so fast that crosswinds affect them less. At 50 km/h, a 10 km/h side wind creates only an 11° yaw angle.
A top gravel racer at 32 km/h? Around 17°.
A slower rider might face yaw angles of 25° or more.
At these angles, the forces pushing sideways on rider and bike become significant, especially with deep rims.
Aero Wheels + Wide Tires: What Changes
Making a gravel bike more aerodynamic starts with wheels, but wide gravel tires add complexity. The wheel–tire system sits inside a frame and fork where airflow becomes turbulent. With very wide tires, maintaining optimal aero efficiency would require extreme rim proportions (from 1:3 to 1:5 width‑to‑height ratios).
For example, a 42 mm wide rim would need to be over 80 mm deep to maintain the ideal ratio, totally unrealistic on a gravel bike that rides below 45 km/h and faces high yaw angles.
Why Rim Shape Matters
Two factors become crucial:
1. Rim Profile Shape
The internal rim shape strongly influences handling and aerodynamics. Sharp, knife‑edge rims might be aero in calm wind but become unstable in the real world.
2. Rounded or NoseTail Rim Shapes
A rounded or 3T‑style NoseTail shape balances aero performance and control. These rims aim to optimize aerodynamics differently from ultra‑deep road or TT wheels, offering stability in turbulent air and off‑road terrain.
Deep road rims beyond 80–85 mm maintain laminar flow but become nearly unrideable on rough ground or in crosswinds. Gravel requires a smarter compromise, not just “more aero.”
The 650B Wheel Alternative
Wider tires improve comfort and grip, no debate there. But wider tires also increase wheel diameter, affecting handling and geometry, especially in smaller frame sizes. A bigger wheel can quickly make a gravel bike feel like a truck instead of a nimble machine.
This is where 650B gravel wheels come in.
A 650B wheel with a 47 mm tire has the same diameter as a 700C road wheel with a 28 mm tire - but with triple the air volume. Move to a 54 mm tire and the air volume nearly quadruples, while the outer diameter stays comparable to a 700×40C setup.
Riders often avoid 650B to “keep the bike consistent,” but ironically, very wide tires on 700C wheels change the bike far more, increasing height, altering handling, and reducing agility.
650B keeps the outer diameter and ride feel stable, even with big‑volume tires.
So… Which Gravel Wheels Should You Pick?
Here are our recommendations, based on real‑world gravel performance:
• Discus 45|32 LTD (Shop Here)
Your go‑to versatile deep‑profile wheel.
Perfect with fast gravel or road tires.
• New Discus 45|40 LTD (Shop Here)
For riders chasing the latest evolution in gravel aero.
Pair them with higher‑volume gravel tires.
• Discus i28 (650B) (Shop Here)
For those who care about substance over trends.
A robust wheelset for going anywhere with 650B tires.