Knight Composites is a new carbon wheel company. At first glance, the Oregon-based company might be quickly classified as yet another company to grab off-the-shelf rims and pair them with quality components, but dive deeper and you’ll learn that there’s a lot more history, experience and technology behind the name.
Knight Composites co-founder Beverly Lucas was one of the early leaders at EDGE, a carbon innovator that would go onto rename itself to ENVE. Lucas was also instrumental in ENVE’s involvement in the sport of cyclocross, teaming up with four-time national champion Jonathan Page, working with him as a product tester and sponsored athlete.
Beverly Lucas is back in the States and back in the composites wheel business after a stint with Edge/Enve in its early days. Sea Otter Classic 2016. © Cyclocross Magazine
While we first spotted Knight at this year's NAHBS, at Sea Otter, Knight had its wheels on display, with its new disc brake versions of its 35mm deep road clincher and tubular wheels, and the 29” Gravel tubeless wheel.
The $2,099 USD Knight 35 tubular wheel is aimed at cyclocross racers, and features a 368 gram rim, 20/24 front and rear spoke hole count, and an impressive 1,177 grams for rim brake tubular wheels, and 1,243 grams for disc brake tubular wheels with hubs from French hub manufacture Aivee. DT Swiss and Chris King hubs are available for a $100 USD and $200 USD upcharge, respectively.
Knight boasts its rim shapes are some of the fastest in the industry, and has partnered with the University of Toronto for aerodynamic testing and verification.
Clincher versions of the Knight 35 are also available, with slightly heavier, non-tubeless rims and higher price.
The Knight 29" Gravel wheelset looks to be a great option for cyclocross and gravel with a 370g carbon rim that's 25mm deep. Wheels for cyclocross and gravel by Knight Composites. Sea Otter Classic 2016. © Cyclocross Magazine
However, unless aerodynamics are a priority (perhaps as a dual purpose road/cx wheelset), the Knight 29” Gravel wheelset will likely be the most attractive clincher option for our audience. With a tubeless 22.5mm wide (internal) rim that can handle up to 55 psi for any tire width, this $2,199 USD wheelset, with DT Swiss 240s hubs, is suited for gravel and cyclocross racers. Chris King and Aivee hubs are options, at a $100 USD premium and discount, respectively.
Adaptable for both thru axle and quick release dropouts, and just 1,323 grams (with DT Swiss hubs), the Knight 29 wheelset can save more than a pound of rotating weight off stock wheels, and is said to also provide additional comfort via shock absorption and compliance. We’re anxious to see if these claims prove true.
Stay tuned!
More info: knightcomposites.com
Riders on Knight composite wheels along the Gorge Roubaix route. Photo courtesy: Knight composites
