FFWD has updated their affordable aluminum Outride wheelset with a new version that is cheaper, wider, and built with high-quality DT hubs. All around they are a much better and more versatile wheelset, now. And an easy upgrade for everything from road to all-road to gravel bikes. True all-rounders.
FFWD Outride affordable aluminum all-road wheels
“Versatile. Reliable. Affordable.“
That’s how FFWD describe the new aluminum Outrides.
New wheels are such an easy way to give your bike a new feel, or newfound versatility. But even with more accessible options, carbon wheels are simply out of many cyclists’ budget. So it’s great to see brands develop affordable aluminum wheels built for all-surface riding with wide rims, and trusted hubs for reliable performance, all at a much lower pricepoint.
What’s new?
Pushing them in the versatility direction, the Outrides now feature a 25mm internal hooked tubeless rim. That’s great for modern 28mm road tires, perfect for 40mm gravel tires too, and rated for up to 50mm/2″ adventure tires.
Besides impact resistance from the alloy rim, reliability comes from using trusted DT Swiss 350 centerlock hubs, with their latest Ratchet upgrade and quick 36T internals. That also means easy tool-free freehub swaps and compatibility with every type of drivetrain. Then, FFWD lace the wheels with 24 straight-pull Sapim spokes and external brass DT nipples for serviceability.
Affordability comes from the sub-five hundred euro price. There are actually plenty of affordable alloy wheels at this price level, but few that offer a modern wide tubeless rim, or a 30mm depth, and fewer still that get DT Ratchet internals and their high-quality sealed bearings.
Just to be clear about value, this new 350 hubset alone sells for 300€, so the fact that FFWD laces them into modern alloy rims with high-quality spokes for only two hundred more is pretty impressive. I built myself a set of these hubs, a slightly narrower 24mm internal x 25mm deep DT rims, spokes & nipples into a similar wheelset and it cost one hundred forty euros more than these wheels, just for my pile of parts to build with.
Tech details
The symmetric 6061 alloy rim is 30mm deep x 30mm wide external. That’s not quite an aerofoil shape, but still probably pretty aerodynamic when you mount a 28 or 30mm road tire on there. Both wheels are laced 2:1 for even spoke tension, with 24 spokes front & rear. Of course, they get 12mm thru-axles, and you can pick from all the common freehub bodies to match your drivetrain.
Claimed wheelset weight is 1850g (869g front, 990g rear).
FFWD Outride alloy wheels – Pricing, options & availability
The new affordable alloy FFWD Outride all-road & gravel wheels sell for 499€ direct from FFWD, with free global shipping. You get to pick from Shimano HG11, Micro Spline, SRAM XDR, classic Campagnolo, or Campy N3W freehubs when you order. And the wheels come pre-taped for tubeless, and include tubeless valves for easy setup.
Pick up a pair to upgrade your OEM wheels without breaking the bank. Or to add a second set of wheels with a different tire to broaden the horizons of your road or gravel bike!
