Gravel-eating CZR i23 wheels are designed to minimize weight while blending stiffness and compliance to maximize power transfer and increase comfort during the longest rides of the year. Carbon thickness was fine-tuned throughout the CZR i23 rim to reduce weight, improve vertical compliance, reduce rider fatigue and increase overall comfort. Additional carbon thickness around each spoke bed improves overall wheel strength and durability while also minimizing weight in areas where less strength, and therefore material, is needed. CZR i23 rims feature a 24mm section depth to improve radial stiffness and maximize energy transfer without being affected by crosswinds like other wheels with deeper profiles.

All CZR i23 gravel wheels are built with winged Pillar racing spokes that are cold-forged into an aerodynamic shape that reduces drag at the trailing end of each spoke. As a result, winged spokes improve overall efficiency while still retaining the gram-conscious weights of traditional bladed spokes. CZR i23 wheels are available in 24-hole or 28-hole spoke configurations with front wheels starting at 620g and rears at 775g (all weights include TCS tubeless tape, Solid Strip and valve because we believe wheels should be weighed ready-to-ride).

Also, check out our review of the WTB Proterra Light i23 alloy wheels here

The CZR i23 utilize WTB’s unique Solid Strip, which is a durable nylon strip that lies between the rim and tubeless tape to prevent tubeless tape from pushing into the spoke holes and ensures a smooth interface between the tire and rim. The smooth surface makes it easier to mount a tire by preventing air from escaping around the bead at each indent during inflation. Solid Strip also protects the airtight system from puncture in the case of a broken spoke. TCS tubeless dependability, asymmetrical rim offset, and Solid Strip all do their part in producing a reliable carbon wheelset.

THE HUBS

The new WTB carbon rims are paired to our high-quality Frequency hubs that were designed in-house to further improve the performance and dependability of the complete CZR wheels. Frequency hubs feature a low-drag, 6-pawl design that alternates contact between two sets of 3-pawl groupings to provide a responsive 5 degrees of freehub engagement. Designing a lightweight hub that provides quick engagement and spins away with a pleasing sound is relatively easy, but ensuring it survives through countless seasons of adverse conditions is the real challenge. Two years of testing and development through sloppy Pacific Northwest winters and dry California summers allowed WTB to fine-tune the design with oversized freehub seals that drastically improve weatherproofing.

CZR i23 wheels are assembled with hub pawl springs of different strengths (compared to the MTB version) to further tailor them towards their gravel uses. Frequency hubs laced to CZR i23 wheels feature lightweight pawl springs that minimize drag and therefore improve efficiency for drop-bar usage.

THE GUARANTEE

The differentiator between carbon wheels is quickly becoming how well a company stands behind them. WTB believes in theirs enough to offer our Ride With Confidence Guarantee on all CZR carbon rims and wheels. If you break a CZR while riding, they’ll send you a replacement for free. No exceptions. Didn’t see that sharp rock until you were mid-air? Found yourself testing your gravel bike on some downhill tracks? As long as you’re the original owner and were riding your bike when it happened, they’ll replace it for free. Check out WTB.com for the complete details of our Ride With Confidence Guarantee.

PRICING

All CZR front wheels have an MSRP of $749.95, while rear wheels are $849.95.

CZR wheels are currently available at WTB.com but will also be available at your favorite local retailers in the months ahead. Wheels will be available at retailers in Europe by late September.