German lightweight component specialist Tune has unveiled a new gravel wheelset called the Nano Gravel 45. The new wheels have a 45mm-deep aero carbon rim with a huge hooked 30mm inner width.
Tune says it wanted the Nano Gravel 45 to be as versatile as possible, so while the wheels are tubeless-compatible and ship with Tune’s own 60mm tubeless valves, they're also ready for traditional clincher tyres and inner tubes should you wish.
While the Nano Gravel 45s are among the lightest gravel wheels available, the construction remains traditional. The lightweight Tune Nano hubset is laced to the carbon rims with 24 Sapim CX-Ray spokes front and rear.
TGC45 carbon rims
The rims are constructed using UD (unidirectional carbon fibre) and left raw, with no thick lacquer or vanity carbon layer. Tune claims this not only makes for a lighter rim, it's also more resistant to scratches. Because you’d expect a gravel rim to have a tougher life than a road rim, that can only be a good thing.
The rims are 45mm deep and 36mm wide externally with a wide 30mm inner. ETRTO standards dictate that a rim of this width is compatible with tyres from 47-57mm. Tune, meanwhile, has tested the Nano’s TGC45 carbon rim with tyres from 38 to 66mm (2.6in).
Nano hubs
Tune’s hubs are legendary for their combination of light weight and engineering quality. Tune is usually one of the hub makers brands turn to when they want to make a lightweight bike or wheelset, just as Reserve did with its special Turbulent aero range, as used by Team Visma–Lease a Bike.
The Nano hubs weigh in at 290g a pair. The hub body is machined from a single billet of aluminium, with straight-pull hub flanges. The Nanos come with all-new seals designed for the rigours of off-road, all-weather riding.
The freehub is Tune's POEtry system, with 69 points of engagement for a quick 5.2-degree engagement angle. The hubs can be modified with additional pawls to bring the engagement points up to 138 for a rapid 2.6-degree angle. The wheels can be specified with either standard Enduro steel or Enduro XD-15 ceramic bearings.
Rider weight and warranty
At a claimed 1,355g a pair, the Nano 45s are one of the lighter gravel wheelsets available. They come with a full 10-year warranty and an impressive rider weight limit of 120kg, or a total system weight of 130kg.
The wheels are priced at €2,290 with standard bearings or €2,920 with ceramic.
