Although ethirteen may be better know for its mountain bike components, it's just launched two new gravel bike wheelsets: the XCX Gravel and XCX Race Gravel.
The XCX Gravel is an alloy wheelset while the XCX Race Gravel is carbon, with both built around an alloy hub and Sapim spokes.
E13 has partnered with Lauf Cycling to launch the new wheelset, which sees Lauf now speccing its True Grit line of gravel race bikes with the XCX Gravel wheels.
Lauf's involvement has meant that E13 has moved to provide both CenterLock and six-bolt disc attachments – Lauf prefers the six-bolt system because it doesn't require a large tool for assembly when travelling with your bike (and I have to agree!).
XCX Gravel rims
Both the alloy and carbon rims are built with an internal width of 24mm. This is relatively wide for gravel, coming in around 1.5mm wider than DT Swiss's X1900 and XR1501 wheels.
This should help boost gravel tyre volume. E13 say the wheels are designed for 32 to 45c rubber, but Lauf's bikes come with 40c rubber, and we're using a 45/40c combo on our test set of XCX Race Gravels.
The carbon rims have a depth of 28mm, which is 6mm deeper than the 22mm deep alloy versions.
While there's no lab data available, E13 suggests that some thought has gone into the aerodynamics of these rims.
Both pairs of wheels are built with 24 Sapim spokes, double-butted on the carbon wheels with alloy nipples, while brass nipples appear on the alloy wheels. E13 is claiming a 320g weight for the carbon rims and 490g for the alloy rims.
As you'd expect, the rims are tubeless compatible.
XCX Gravel hubs
The alloy hubs, with straight-pull spoke beds, can be specced with SRAM's XDR or XD drivers, or Shimano's HG or Microspline freehubs. So any cassette on the market will fit.
As mentioned, six-bolt and Centerlock options will be available. The front hub will have 12mm and 15mm options for its 100mm width, while the rear measures 12 x 142mm.
The hub axle and freehub removal process is a tool-free affair, relying on a push-and-turn installation process – we've done it and it's nice and easy.
Updated Lauf True Grit
E13 has sent us a set of the XCX Race Gravel wheels, which are destined for Tom's long-term Lauf True Grit, so look out for updates soon on how they ride in the real world.
Our set of carbon XCX Race Gravel wheels (taped and with valves) weighs 601g (f) and 727g (r) for a total weight of 1,328g. The alloy wheels weigh a claimed 1,820g for the pair.
Going forward, all four models of the True Grit will receive either the alloy or carbon XCX Gravel wheels.
Lauf True Grit Weekend Warrior
The entry-level Weekend Warrior and Weekend Warrior AXS models get the alloy XCX Gravel wheels, in place of the DT Swiss X1900 wheels that were previously specced.
Lauf says that this provides an extra 1.5mm rim width, saves a few grams and adds nothing to the price – $2,790 and $3,690 respectively.
Lauf True Grit Race AXS
The True Grit Race AXS loses the DT Swiss XR1501 hoops in favour of the XCX Race Gravel wheels. This shaves nigh-on 300g from the weight of the bike and adds 1.5mm to the width of the rims. There's a $500 addition here, bringing the model to $4,690.
At the top-end, the Zipp 303 S Carbon wheels are dropped for the XCX Race Gravel wheels. The $6,490 price tag stays the same, and Lauf claims a reduction in weight, though also a reduction in aerodynamics (as the 303s are designed for aerodynamics specifically).
Lauf believes that the lighter weight, and thus lower unsprung mass of the wheels, should further improve the responsiveness of its leaf-sprung 30mm Grit suspension fork.
Lauf Anywhere
Lauf's other bike, the Anywhere, will also get updated with the new wheels.
Pricing for each model will be $400 less than the equivalent True Grit – accounting for the use of a rigid fork, rather than the Grit suspension fork.
XCX Gravel wheel pricing and options
In addition to the new wheels, Lauf is updating its colour options, with a $190 Pearl White, as well as $390 Purple Craze, Gravelnauts and Moss Green options added to the existing Racing Rocket Red. The Lava Black standard colour remains.
- XCX Gravel (aluminum): $499 / €499
- XCX Race Gravel (carbon): $1,599 / €1,599
