Lightweight Rims

The GCX Light series road and gravel wheels offer an excellent balance between lightweight and lateral stiffness. We were able to obtain this balance through our advanced carbon layup. Our lightweight rims offer very low inertia, improving acceleration.

The rims feature 25mm inner widths and 33-36.5mm outer widths depending on the model, which make them aerodynamically and structurally optimized for 30-32c tires. As a result, they outperform wider rims in terms of optimal rolling resistance, grip, comfort, and handling. The rims have modern u-shaped profiles, giving them improved stability when descending and in crosswinds. For those who prefer narrower tires, please see our RC series wheels. 

GCX Light series wheels have all passed our standard 90-joule vertical impact test, more than twice the UCI's requirement. The rims come in both internal and external nipple options. Internal nipples offer improved aerodynamics and responsiveness, increasing power transfer.

Decals are laser engraved, giving the wheels a unique look while saving additional weight. Learn more about laser engraving here.

See here for more information on the difference between Ultralight, Light, and Team version wheels

Rim Profiles

Precision Ratchet Hubs

At Particle, we try to avoid marketing trends and tech that don’t offer real world performance gains. For this reason, we have chosen to use the gold standard of hub design, the star ratchet. We offer 36T, 45T and 54T options depending on how much engagement you prefer. 36T ratchets are recommended for most users due to lower rolling resistance and improved longevity. 45T and 54T ratchets are recommended for those who require higher engagement, for example in crit racing.

Our ratchet hub shells and axles have been machined to 0.005mm and 0.003mm tolerances respectively, making them the most precise ratchet hubs available, therefore lowering rolling resistance and improving bearing longevity. The hubs use labyrinth seals and double layer contamination barriers, so there is a significant reduction in the likelihood of ingress, effectively protecting bearings and ratchets from the elements.

Servicing is simple, as no tools are required. Star ratchets are also simple to clean and replace.

Carbon Spokes

In order to push the limits of what a performance wheelset can be, GCX Light wheels are built with 4th generation replaceable carbon spokes. At just 2.1 grams including nipples, they are the lightest carbon spokes commercially available, partially due to the use of titanium spoke heads and threads as well as a new profile. Their benefits over even the best steel spokes include saving weight, improving aerodynamics, and offering a significant increase in lateral stiffness, which allows us to use fewer spokes. Our spokes are the lightest replaceable carbon spokes available, as they are 3.2mm wide and less than 1mm thick.

One thing that not well-known is that not all replaceable carbon spokes are made the same. After comparing the carbon spokes from several manufacturers, we have settled on what we feel is the future. The hubs we have chosen have closed flanges, ensuring there is no risk of our spokes popping out, which is a concern on some carbon spoke wheelsets. In addition, spokes are mechanically secured so they do not twist, ensuring they always stay in the most aerodynamic orientation. Our 4th generation carbon spokes offer significantly better compliance, giving you extra comfort with a weight reduction of 55 grams.

Our carbon spokes have been thoroughly tested and can survive more than 4000 newtons of tension, as opposed to steel spokes, which break under loads of between 2600-3200 newtons. We even provide spare spokes in the box.

Steel and Ceramic Bearing Options

One of the most overlooked parts of a wheelset is the bearings. The GCX Light series comes in both steel and ceramic bearings options. The front hub uses large 6803 bearings, improving durability, increasing longevity, and reducing rolling resistance. The rear hub uses a 15267 and a 6802 bearings, and the freehub uses two 6802 bearings. Our bearings use mixed contact seals to protect them from contamination, improving longevity, while offering low rolling resistance.

For more information about steel vs ceramic bearings, please see this article.