Their original XCX gravel wheels launched in 2021 with impressive weights and prices, but left me wanting a more robust bead wall to protect the tires.
Now, the new e*Thirteen Piedmont Race gravel wheels have made (very) small strides to improve that with wider rims with a bit more meat at the edges. Here’s what you need to know…
The rims have a low profile to improve compliance, aided by lightweight, double-butted spokes. The wider profile maintains lateral stiffness.
Constructed of high-modulus carbon fiber, the Piedmont Race Carbon rims measure with 26mm internal (up from 24mm for XCX), 31mm external, with a 31mm profile height. Claimed weight is just 340g per rim, which is only 20g heaver than the XCX carbon rim.
The Piedmont Race alloy wheels measure 24mm internal, 27mm external, with a low 19.5mm profile height. Claimed weight is 415g per rim.
Both wheels get e*Thirteen’s new Race Straightpull Hubs, which have a much faster 3º engagement (versus the 13º of the XCX hubs). They use 6-bolt brake rotor mounts and have alloy bearing seals under axle caps to help keep gunk away from the bearings.
They’re built with 24 straight-pull Sapim D-light spokes with Sapim secure lock alloy nipples and Nipple Washers. They have 142×12 rear axle spacing and 100mm front with 12 & 15 mm axle caps in the box. They ship with an XDR freehub body, but HG and N3W are available. No Micro Spline offered at this time.
All wheels come with a 5-year Warranty that includes bearing service kits to help you maintain them. They ship with e*Thirteen’s tubeless tape and proprietary Quick Fill Tubeless Valves installed for easy tubeless setup.
Spec list & pricing
- Race Carbon Weight: 620g/780g F/R (XDR freehub, Valves incl.)
- Race Alloy Weight: 660g/840g F/R (XDR freehub, Valves incl.)
- Spokes: Sapim D-Light 24H/24H – F/R
- Rear Config: 142×12 – Alloy Axle
- Front Config: 100×12/15mm (Adapter end caps incl.)
- Driver: XDR 4-Pawl / 3° Freehub (HG Avail.)
- Valves: Quick Fill Presta Tubeless Valves
- Sizes: 700c Front/Rear
- Piedmont Race Carbon MSRP: Front 769.95 $/€ – Rear 909.95 $/€ (UK F/R £689.95/£809.95)
- Piedmont Race Alloy MSRP: Front 339.95 $/€ – Rear 409.95 $/€ (UK F/R £309.95/£369.95)
