Design
This wheelset is designed for adventure riding on 28-40mm tyres. Practically, this means that it needs to be light, aerodynamic, but most importantly strong enough to withstand the rigours of racing on a variety of surfaces.
The strength of these wheels is assured by 28 Sapim D-Light spokes*, strengthened rims, and tough gravel hubs. These wheels are therefore also suitable for heavier riders looking for fast road or gravel wheels.
All of our wheels are named after cities and rivers in Ukraine, out of respect to our Trailmech colleagues and all Ukrainians affected by the conflict. Our 35mm wheels are named after the historic port of Odesa.
*Upgradable to Sapim CX-Ray spokes for those who want to take these wheels to the next level.
Rims
Our rims are made from a high quality T800 carbon fibre, for the perfect mix of compliance and stiffness, lightness and strength. With a 29mm external width, 21.5mm internal rim width (between rim hooks), these wheels are most aerodynamic with 28mm and 30mm tyres, but can accommodate anything up to 50mm.
A U-shaped rim profile provides maximum aerodynamic efficiency at a wider variety of yaw-angles than a standard V-shaped rim. Our rims are paired with either round Sapim D-Light or bladed Sapim CX-Ray spokes (as an upgrade). Both are remarkably strong and lightweight, with the top-of-the-range CX-Rays offering marginally better aerodynamics and unparalleled fatigue resistance.
Hubs
Every Zolla wheelset is built on one of two hubsets, both made in Taiwan and both proven over big miles. Our standard build uses the Bitex BX160: a light, serviceable star-ratchet hub with twin 90-tooth ratchets for near-instant engagement, standard-size bearings any mechanic can replace, and a Centerlock rotor mount.
Want the premium option? Choose the DT Swiss 350: the hub more ultra-distance racers trust than any other, with DT’s Ratchet system (36 teeth as standard, tool-free upgrade to 54), easy freehub swaps between Shimano HG, SRAM XDR and Micro Spline, and spares available in almost any bike shop in the world.
Pick your hub when you order, or ask us which suits your riding. Our original hub partner Trailmech has paused production because of the war in Ukraine; read about our relationship with them and why this wheelset keeps its Ukrainian name.
Handbuilt
The value of handbuilt wheels is often understated. They can last a lifetime if well-specced and built by an experienced wheel builder. Whilst it’s often thought that wheel building is just about producing wheels that are true (aligned) in all directions, this is far from correct.
The strength of handbuilt wheels really comes from the way the spokes are tensioned and ensuring this tension is uniform throughout. The spokes on our wheel are individually measured to ensure perfect tension and uniformity across the entire structure.
To finish the build, we seat a tubeless tyre on the wheel and then measure the tension again across all spokes. This ensures that there is no shifting or settling of the spokes and rim to worry about when the wheel gets its first use.
Customise Your Wheels
Don’t see the options you want on this page? Don’t worry, we often build to spec and are happy to advise on custom builds. Whether it’s adding a dynamo hub or accommodating an unusual axle combination, we can figure it out.
Drop us an email at hello@zolla.cc and let us know what you’re looking for. Lead times for custom builds vary depending on component availability, but we can usually get them turned around in a few weeks.
Warranty
Our wheels are built to last, with each wheelset individually handbuilt. Therefore, we’re happy to offer a five-year warranty across all our wheels. This covers any material or workmanship failures or flaws. You can read more here.
If you have any problems at all with your wheels or require advice regarding routine maintenance then don’t hesitate to get in touch. You can email us here.
Donnie Campbell –
I bought the 35mm Carbon Disc Wheels Gravel about 4 weeks ago and what can i say the best wheels I have ever owned. I Do a most of my cycling in the Highlands of Scotland and the wheels can withstand the abuse of the rough Highland Trails (I use a 40c tyre on them) and when the surface smoothes out well the wheels just want to go fast! I used them when I broke the Badger Divide FKT which is 200 mile gravel route from Glasgow to Inverness and the combination of the strength of the wheel gave me the confidence to be able to push on the more technical descents and the deeper 35mm rims making the wheels more aero to maintain speed on the less technical parts of the trail were great.
John Barnes –
After many years of deliberation about the value of carbon wheels, I finally took the plunge and bought these before embarking on the Wild West Country two weeks ago. Whilst I may have regretted many things during the 800km ride, (like entering in the first place!) I never regretted my investment. Compared to riding the same event on high quality aluminium wheels two years ago, the difference was noticeable in both comfort and speed. Built by a team who understand endurance riding, they give you the ability to just keep on rolling and make it very difficult to stop.