Stayer has produced a lightweight wheelset that balances stiffness and durability in what is a truly all-round option. The optional Hope RS4 hubs are a great addition, with quick pick-up, lots of colour choices and solid support network. That said, how does the British brand fair among the best gravel wheels on the market?

Stayer Gravel Adventure wheelset – Technical details

The Stayer Gravel Adventure wheelset sits at the top of the brand’s available range of carbon and aluminium wheelsets. This Adventure model is available in both 650b/27.5-inch (pictured here) and more common 700c size. The carbon rim is 35mm deep and has a 24mm internal rim width, with 24 spokes on the front wheel and 28 on the rear. The Hope RS4 hubs are an optional extra that adds both an aesthetic and aftersales support benefit to the package. 

The wheelset weighs 1,465g (650g/815g, front/rear), with taped rims and tubeless valves fitted, which places them among the lighter wheels that we have tested. They are 50g lighter than the 700c version. The wheels have a rider weight limit of 115kg, which is higher than many others and proves its hardy and durable nature. The decals are minimalist yet unique and certainly stand out among the current design trends.

Stayer_Adventure_Gravel_Carbon_rear.JPG
Stayer_Adventure_Gravel_Carbon_rear (Image Credit: Matt Page)
Stayer_Adventure_Gravel_Carbon_rear.JPG, by Matt Page

Fitting tyres was a simple process when using a set of Halo GXC tyres. They rolled on easily and inflated with just a track pump. The Adventure carbon rims have an internal width of 24mm – that is still pretty wide but we have seen a shift to even wider options, particularly the 27mm Zipp 101 XPLR wheels. While the 24mm internal width might impact the shape and performance for 650b riders who want to fit wider 50mm tyres, the Halo tyres we used were spot on with the claimed 45mm once fitted.

Stayer_Adventure_Gravel_Carbon_rim.JPG
Stayer_Adventure_Gravel_Carbon_rim (Image Credit: Matt Page)
Stayer_Adventure_Gravel_Carbon_rim.JPG, by Matt Page

Stayer Gravel Adventure wheelset – Performance

The wheels were perfectly straight and the spoke tension felt good and balanced across the full wheel. As standard, the wheelset will ship with 24 holes for the front wheel and 28 holes for the rear but, as all the wheels are built by Stayer at its London HQ, there is the option to customise with 24/24 or 28/28 depending on weight and intended use. Other custom elements include using different spokes, or brass spoke nipples instead of aluminium. Stayer backs up the quality of the build with a lifetime warranty not to mention a further two-year warranty on wheel components, including the hubs and rims.

Stayer_Adventure_Gravel_Carbon_huub.JPG
Stayer_Adventure_Gravel_Carbon_huub (Image Credit: Matt Page)
Stayer_Adventure_Gravel_Carbon_huub.JPG, by Matt Page

Despite the low weight, they exceeded expectations – even on more technical riding they felt stable and didn’t bounce off line or move laterally. The wheels can’t match the same compliance levels of the Zipp 101 XPLR but comfort is certainly acceptable, especially when using wider tyres and suitable pressures.

The Hope RS4 hubs utilise a 44-point, 8-degree two-pawl ratchet system, which is a very low-pawl setup. That said, there were no issues or slip and pick-up should be quick enough for all riders. I find the best way of testing the speed of hub pick-up is on technical or tricky climbs, where regular on/off power is needed to get up smoothly. I found them to be adequate with no issues or noticeable lag. The bearings are smooth and the overall feel of the hubs is great. The Hope RS4 option does add £55 over the standard build with DT Swiss 350 hubs, which are also known for excellent reliability and also offers the choice of six anodised colours.

Stayer_Adventure_Gravel_Carbon_top.JPG
Stayer_Adventure_Gravel_Carbon_top (Image Credit: Matt Page)
Stayer_Adventure_Gravel_Carbon_top.JPG, by Matt Page

 

Stayer Gravel Adventure wheelset – Verdict

Throughout testing, the wheels delivered a performance that was hard to fault. The way they balance stiffness and weight is on par with, if not better, than many premium offerings. The £1,265 price point puts them just above the sub £1,000 VEL 30 GRL and £870 Scribe Wide++ wheels we have tested. You will save a considerable amount over the super-stiff Zipp 101 XPLR wheels but the Stayer Gravel Adventure wheelset trumps them on almost every other level. At £1,500, the FFWD Drift wheelset is its closest competitor, with the DT Swiss 240 EXP hub option and similar rim specs.

The Stayer Gravel Adventure is not the cheapest gravel wheelset available but it does deliver performance to back up the asking price. The superb mix of an incredibly lightweight package, with the stiffness and expected reliability of the optional Hope RS4 hubs, makes them ideal for anyone looking for a premium all-round wheel. The hand-built element also sets them apart from some other options, with the ability to customise certain areas of the wheel.

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Test report Stayer Gravel Adventure wheelset review £1,265.00

Wheels

Wheel purpose: 

Stayer says:

A true tough gravel wheelset. For serious fun and adventuring.
Strengthened carbon-fibre rims to handle off-road trails and built with the strongest spokes, the best brass nipples and of course the most reliable hubs out there. And by wheel builders who know about adventuring by bike!
Optimally to be used with fat tyres from 35 to 45c for comfort and traction on road, gravel and singletrack. These rims are asymmetric and reinforced for serious mixed-terrain, a hookless design for pinch-free riding at low tyre pressures.

Build extra: 

Stayer lists:

Rim:
Stayer gravel/adventure
Tough and impact absorbent all-in-one! For serious fun and adventuring.
700c or 650b
Rim depth: 35mm
Internal width: 24mm
Toray T700 carbon fibre
Hookless design
Tubeless friendly clinchers
Inner-tube compatible
Only with tubeless friendly tyres
Tyre compatibility : 28mm +
Maximum tyre pressure: 80psi (28mm tyre)
Maximum Rider weight 115kg

Hope RS4 build:

RS4 – centerlock
We can also build your wheels with the PRO4 6-bolt hubs if you would prefer, just let us know in your order notes!
J-bend
Coloured hubs
Black, silver, blue, red, orange or purple
44 point engagement
Steel freehub body option
for Shimano 11s, adding 85g but is super durable
Versatile
Readily available replacement parts, making it easy to convert your hubs for different axles for example, or change of freehub body
Durable
With a service every so often these hubs can last forever, the hub bodies will not distort or wear
Wheelset weights : 650b 1,480g / 700c 1,530g

Wheel construction 


Wheel construction extra: 

Perfect spoke tension and stayed true throughout testing.

Wheel performance 


Wheel performance extra: 

The Hope RS4 hubs have 8 degree engagement, and there was no noticeable lag when riding. The rims offer a good a balance of weight and strength and they are well built.

Wheel durability 


Wheel durability extra: 

No problems at all during use, and Hope are known for being able to source spare parts should anything need replacing. The wheel build it also backed up with a lifetime warranty.

Wheel weight 


Wheel weight extra: 

The set tested are 650b/27.5 and the 1465g makes them very good. Stayer claims a 50g difference to the larger diameter 700c wheelset with the same specification.

Wheel value 


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Wheel value extra: 

You pay a premium over some brands, without having quite the same brand appeal as some more expensive options.

Wheel true: 

No problems at all.

Wheel tyre: 

Very easy.

Wheel tyre tubeless: 

Yes to fit and inflate, just using a track pump.

Wheel freehub speed: 

It isn’t the quickest, but for normal riding, I found it absolutely fine and sufficient for almost all people and riding.

Wheel extras: 

The wheel arrived taped for tubeless, with valves and that was all perfect.

Overall performance: 

Great all round performance, feeling fast and holding a line well even on rougher, more technical descents. The hubs perform well, with quick pickup and smooth bearings.

Wheel dislikes: 

In terms of performance, there is very little not to like. They are more expensive than some other brands. The 24mm internal rim width is not as wide as some, which might be important for those who run wider gravel tyres and the rim decals might not be to everyones taste.

Enjoy: 

The wheels did everything well. Tyre installation was quite easy, and held the tyre in a good profile. They are light, stiff and should prove reliable.

Buy: 

If I was after a great set of wheels for a gravel bike, with low weight being a main focus these would definitely be on the shortlist.

Recommend: 

Yes, the performance has been great and I would certainly recommend.

Conclusion: 

Not the cheapest wheelset available, but performance and other key areas such as the hand-built nature and ability to customise the build all add up to make a great package. The rim measurements, with 24mm ID will suit most, although in a few years we may look back and think they are narrow. Unless you are looking to run close to 50mm wide tyres they will be fine. They are low in weight and high in stiffness and ability.