Today, Wilderness Trail Bikes (WTB) is announcing an all-new wheelset designed for modern gravel riding. With the CGR i28, WTB has paired their World Cup-proven Frequency 7X hubs with 40mm-deep, 28mm-wide carbon rims to create a balanced wheelset that “delivers speed, comfort, and durability in equal measure.” Designed to complement and pair with today’s wider gravel tires, including WTB’s own, of course, these new wheels promise to deliver top-level performance everywhere your gravel rides take you.
WTB CGR i28 Gravel Wheels
The new CGR i28 slides in alongside WTB’s existing CZR i23 as another high-end gravel wheelset in the brand’s lineup. With these new wheels, however, WTB has taken a wider and deeper approach to their design, aligning them better with current trends in the gravel market.
40mm Depth
The CGR wheels feature 40mm deep carbon rims, a moderate depth that should provide some aerodynamic advantage while remaining versatile enough for everyday use or in windy conditions. The rims have 24 holes, are designed with an asymmetric profile, and feature 4D spoke drilling to balance spoke tension and optimize load distribution. The spoke beds are also reinforced for durability.
The hookless carbon rims feature WTB’s Tubeless Compatible System (TCS) designed to ETRTO and ISO standards. The middle of the rim bed includes what WTB refers to as the On Ramp, a sloped rim valley that “allows the bead of the tire to easily and smoothly move into place during installation and inflation.” They’ve also included what they call Solid Strip, a layer between the rim and tubeless tape that prevents the tape from sagging at spoke holes and protects the tape from being punctured in the event of a broken spoke.
28mm Width
Gravel tires have been trending wider for a few years, and the CGR i28 has been designed to pair well with modern tire widths. The i28 in the name refers to the internal rim width of 28mm, which WTB believes “provides the ideal platform for 45-54mm gravel tires.” While some gravel wheels are trending even wider, WTB says that wider rims can square off the tire tread, resulting in compromised performance. Instead, the 28mm rim width balances tire stability and the desired profile for traction, suppleness, and rolling efficiency.
WTB also makes gravel tires, including the recently released WTB/Stromm aero-optimized Byway RS 50, Course 52, and Macro 54 models. These tires were designed with tread and sidewall profiles optimized around a 28mm internal rim width — presumably the CGR i28 — and we’re told they are an ideal pairing for these wheels. Of course, these wheels should also work just fine with tires from any other brand, especially those within that 45 to 54mm recommended width range.
Frequency 7X Hubs
At the center of the CGR i28 wheels are WTB’s new Frequency 7X hubs. These hubs have been tested and proven at the highest levels of racing by the Cannondale Factory Racing team. They feature a patent-pending hub/ratchet interface that WTB claims “sets a new standard in performance and reliability.”
While they look like standard straight-pull hubs, inside are ratchets with a Diamond-Like Carbon (DLC) coating claimed to increase hardness and significantly reduce friction compared to hard-chrome plating. Additionally, the inner ratchet ring has a splined interface, which WTB says allows the hubs “to withstand over twice the torque of traditional designs without requiring specialist tools for servicing.” Interestingly, WTB did not provide the ratchet tooth count in its press materials, but, by our count, they appear to have 36 teeth.
On top of that, WTB says it uses “larger than industry-typical” Enduro bearings throughout, including in the freehubs. WTB claims this results in a stiffer axle assembly and a load rating increase of up to 38% compared to the competition. Additionally, the hubs are fully sealed to keep moisture, dust, and debris out to keep them spinning smoothly and freely.
Options and Weights
The CGR i28 wheels come in 700c only with standard road/gravel axle spacing —12x100mm front and 12x142mm rear. The hubs have a centerlock brake rotor interface and can be purchased with SRAM XDR, Shimano Microspline, and Shimano HG freehub bodies. Claimed weights are:
- Front: 635 g
- Rear XDR: 729 g
- Rear Microspline: 729 g
- Rear HG: 740 g
Those numbers put complete wheelsets starting at 1,364 g, which is quite respectable for the 40mm rim depth.
Ride With Confidence
WTB backs its new CGR i28 carbon rims with its Ride With Confidence Guarantee. This means that if you’re the original owner and you break your rim while riding, WTB will replace it for free.
Pricing and Availability
WTB’s new CGR i28 wheels are sold separately or in complete wheelsets, with retail prices of:
- USD: Front $850 / Rear $950 / Wheelset $1,800
- EUR: Front €727.45 / Rear €822.45 / Wheelset €1,549.90
- GBP: Front £563 / Rear £636 / Wheelset £1,199
The brand-new CGR i28 wheels are available now through authorized WTB dealers or directly from the brand. Head to the WTB website to learn more or find a dealer near you.
