Stan’s NoTubes’s ZTR Grail Disc wheel set is the newest offering, with the company’s deepest profile yet. © Andrew Reimann
We are getting through all of the products we discovered at Interbike 2014, and those looking for a tubeless cyclocross setup, or are planning on adventure rides in 2015, will want to take a look at Stan’s NoTubes’s newest wheelset offering: the ZTR Grail. Unlike Stan’s Iron Cross, which is a popular tubeless model for cyclocross, the Grail is more of a jack-of-all-trades, a wheelset that is just as comfortable on a muddy cyclocross course as it is getting lost on distant gravel roads.
Part of the benefits of the Grail is the width of the rim as well as the wide shoulder, which makes the setup all the easier and reduces on ride burping. The external width of the rim is 24.1mm with an internal length of 20.3mm, making the grail one of Stan’s widest offerings for the gravel/cyclocross application. Stan’s doesn’t stop there, however. Their rim depth is 24.5, the deepest wheel Stan’s NoTubes has ever made, and they claim it is one of the most aerodynamic wheels in their lineup.
NoTubes new Grail rim offers wide shoulder for less burping, and a deep channel for easier Road Tubeless tire mounting. © Cyclocross Magazine
One of the greatest benefits of the ZTR Grail over the more cyclocross specific sets, such as the Iron Cross, is allowable maximum pressures of the former. With a 23mm tire, a rider can pump their tires to 116psi, theoretically making these wheels more than suitable for longer road races where the benefits of tubeless could be realized. At 28mm, a 100psi pressure is the recommended maximum, which is more than enough for gravel rides and suitable for rough road rides such as Battenkill. For a 32mm cyclocross tire, you can still happily fill your tire all the way to 45psi in the rare case you would need that much pressure.
The Stan’s NoTubes cyclocross specific wheel, the Iron Cross, is about 2/3rds as deep as the new Grail, and can only accommodate cyclocross tubeless tires. © Andrew Reimann
The ZTR Grail comes in at a claimed weight of 1625g, with a maximum allowable rider weight of 215lbs. The spoke count in the front is 24, with 28 in the rear. Following the emerging trends of cyclocross, Stan’s NoTubes made their wheels available as a quick release or thru axle (15mm front, 12×142 rear). The hubs are also available with a 10 or 11-speed hub, and retail at $695.
The Stan’s NoTubes ZTR Grail no comes as a 10 or 11-speed, with quick releases, or a rear 12x142mm Thru axle and 15mm front thru axle option. © Andrew Reimann
Now that Tim Johnson has been seen pre-riding cyclocross courses with a lefty fork, Stan’s NoTubes’s newest carbon fiber offering, the Valor, might pique the interest of cyclocross racers. With a claimed weight of 1310g, they are light for mountain bike wheels, and allow for a maximum rider weight of 230lbs. They come with a price tag of $1,900, and although they are currently available only as a 29er, Stan’s NoTubes has plans to release 27.5 and 26 versions in the near future.
Stan’s NoTubes newest mountain bike wheelset is their carbon Valor. © Andrew Reimann
For more information: notubes.com
