New wheelset consideration
 

Hey!
My original gravel wheelset uses DT R500 rims (32h, 22mm internal width) and Shimano Tiagra RS470 CL hubs. They are solid, nice, but a big heavy, about 2,1 kg. I'm not heavy, about 68 kg (149 lbs), I do not use bike for any bikepacking, just shorter or longer, but one day rides with 700x38 to 700x43c tires. Not races, but I like fast riding.
Right now, consider new, lighter wheelset - do not want a lot of money, so want to use also alloy rims. Some local custom wheels builders offer me these options:

1. DT XR361 (22,5mm) 28h rims + DT350 hubs - weight ~1590g
2. DT RR481 (22mm), 28h rims + DT350, hubs - weight ~1690g
3. DT R500 (22mm) 20/24h rims + DT350 hubs, weight ~1670g

I also have an option to buy WTB i23 rims (23mm) + Cannondale hubs, weight ~1750g from second hand in exceptionally good condition - it will cost about half of new wheels price.

After that, I started thinking about rim width/height and overall weight... I right now, I'm not sure what will be the best. It's not CX or MTB when we are cornering a lot and acceleration is important, I will also use that bike on mountains only 2-3 times in the year so... maybe weight is not so important? It's not road bike and because of gravel tires with, aero aspects also don't matter a lot - probably I should look for the Golden mean.
Other important thing related to weight: in many cases, weight loss is only because of lighter hubs, and... it doesn't matter a lot, right? Just compare these rims from above:

1. DT XR361 - 410g
2. DT RR481 - 485g
3. DT R500 - 495g
4. WTB i23 - 446g

So, differences are not big - builders can use lighter hubs, but it doesn't matter in acceleration aspect.

Have you looked at Light Bicycle? https://www.lightbicycle.com/

I weigh 80kg (~175lbs) and have been riding on their rims on gravel built with Sapim CX Ray spokes and the original hubs (long story on this). I'm only on 24 spokes on both ends, and I've never had an issue. Weight does matter, even if you aren't racing, lighter wheels take less effort to spin up, and climb easier. And at the prices from LB, you can definitely get a much lighter build at the same price as some of those you've listed. Just a recommendation to take a look.

If you look at the diameters, small weight saving on the hub does not matter much compared to weight saving on the rim. Hub weight saving usually means small hub or lighter material which will be less durable. Then, the number of holes or spokes will affect the weight and rigidity.
I like my wtb i23 with 32 spokes because they are strong which is good on MTB trails but, that's not what you like.

Because you don't seem to be bother with super light for acceleration or off road strength, I would select for durability and cost... if you can get the wtb cheaply, why would you spend more money of something you are not that interested in (light weight)?

To me personally a wheelset that is at the 16XXg mark or less is light enough. I avoid two things which are low spoke counts and straight gauge spokes. I certainly don't want fewer than 28 on the rear and I'm good with 32. I don't like flexy wheels.

My bike (2019 Cannondale Topstone 105) came with this wheelset, and I would not recommend it. My pair were exceptionally poorly built (broke a spoke within the first 50km) and super heavy.

Prodigy4299 thanks for info! I will avoid them then


Badger6 looks interesting, but I'm from EU and prices then are much worse so... no.

I wouldn't write them off lukasamd. I bought the rims from their global warehouse, delivered to my house here in the EU (Belgium), took them to a wheel builder and had them built up. I found the pricing to be quite competitive (as in much less) for what you're getting.