With a sleek gloss black finish, Ere Research’s GT25 wheels make a strong first impression, and there’s solid performance to back up the looks. The spec sheet ticks all the right boxes for a modern gravel wheelset, too. The only drawback is the low 36-tooth ratchet engagement.
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Ere Research Tenaci GT25 wheelset – Technical Details
The GT25 is a new addition to the range, named after its 25mm rim depth. The carbon rims feature a mini-hook design with a 26mm internal width and a high-gloss finish that really catches the eye. Both front and rear wheels are built with 24 straight-pull, bladed Sapim CX Leader spokes.
The hubs are Ere’s own Iona S models, with the rear using a 36-tooth star ratchet system, which is upgradeable to 54 teeth. Freehub options include Shimano HG, Microspline, SRAM XDR and Campagnolo Ekar. There’s no SRAM XD option, which may rule it out for riders looking to run a mullet setup with a cassette from SRAM’s mountain bike range.
Ere quotes weights of 705g front and 844g rear, with our test set coming in at 749g and 874g respectively, fitted with a SRAM XDR freehub. The wheels arrive pre-taped, which is included in the weight, although valves aren’t supplied. However, you do get six spare spokes..
Tyre compatibility starts at a minimum of 32mm width, with recommended uses with tyres between 36 and 54mm. The maximum rider weight is rated at 130kg, and the wheels are backed by a lifetime warranty for the original owner.
Ere Research Tenaci GT25 wheelset – Performance
It’s a shame that tubeless valves aren’t included, especially given that most riders choosing these wheels will likely be running a tubeless setup. Ere does offer its own valves in various lengths at £25, though using other brand alternatives will work just fine.
Using third-party valves, the tubeless setup proved simple. I fitted a mix of Hutchinson and Schwalbe tyres ranging from 40mm to 50mm wide throughout the test period. All mounted easily with a single tyre lever and seated without fuss using just a track pump.
The bearings feel smooth and high-quality, allowing the wheels to spin freely. Over the course of testing, which included big mileage in varied conditions, I saw no signs of deterioration in rolling performance.
Despite running just 24 spokes front and rear, the wheels offer impressive stiffness. The 130kg rider weight limit supports this, and on the trail, they strike a good balance between responsiveness and comfort. Spoke tension was even across the wheels out of the box and stayed consistent throughout testing.
The main drawback is the rear hub’s 36-tooth ratchet. Compared to some competitors, engagement is relatively slow. This is most noticeable on technical climbs, where there’s a delay in pickup, and on rough tracks where frequent on-off pedalling makes the lag more apparent both in feel and sound. To upgrade these to a 54t ratchet would cost £70, and that is something I would consider doing, although having it as standard would have been better.
How important the ratchet pickup is will depend on the riding you do, and for those who ride primarily on the road or smoother tracks, the difference will be negligible.
Weight-wise, the GT25s are reasonable but not standout for a carbon wheelset. At over 1,600g, they’re heavier than many we’ve tested, though for riders prioritising durability and ride quality over grams, they remain a strong contender.
Ere Research Tenaci GT25 wheelset – Verdict
At £900, the ERE Research Tenaci GT25 wheelset is competitively priced, lining up against options like the Hunt 35 Carbon Gravel wheels at the same RRP. Parcours is another well-regarded brand in the value carbon wheelset space, with the Alta wheelset offering a 36mm rim depth, 24mm internal width, but an even lower 26-tooth ratchet, all for £800. Aesthetics are always subjective, but I think the GT25s are easily the best-looking of the lot, and that must count for something.
Off-road is where hub engagement makes the biggest difference, and it’s disappointing that ERE didn’t include the higher engagement ratchet as standard, especially given its noticeable benefits in technical and stop-start riding. They’re not the lightest wheels out there, but the gloss finish gives them real presence, and they’ve proven to be strong, consistent and reliable. At this price, they offer solid value and are a serious contender against better-known carbon wheel brands.
- https://www.ereresearch.com/products/tenaci-gt25
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Wheel purpose:
The Tenaci GT25 wheelset uses a made 36-tooth star-ratchet clutch plate system, and our new Ere Iona S hubs with Ere custom industrial bearings, which provide a quicker and more consistent engagement with every pedal stroke. The star-ratchet mechanism is engineered for strength, reliability and fast engagement, ensuring your wheels run smooth even under the toughest conditions. Whether you’re tackling technical gravel climbs, or sprinting on the flat roads, the Iona S hubs give you the edge you need to go the distance.
The stand-our features of the Tenaci GT25 wheelset also relate to ride quality: Nimble and responsive due to their low weight and shallow profile, combined with incredible comfort, due to their unique, dampening specific carbon lay-up.
GT25 Rims
With a height of 25mm and a internal width of 26mm it’s our first rim in the Ere wheels line-up with a “mini hooked” rim design. The perfect combination with our handmade Tenaci tyres. The wheels are tubeless ready.
The use of mini-hook in the rim profile design allows the rider to use a hookless gravel tyre under low-pressure use, and also a 32mm+ road tyre at higher pressure, making this wheelset perfect for dual usage.
Iona S hubs
The Tenaci GT25 are paired to the new Ere Research Iona-S hubs with a 100% in-house engineered and manufactured design. The hubs are bulletproof and will practically run forever when properly taken care of. The straight-pull hubset has a low profile and a sturdy design. Its angled flange supports the directional torque going through the hub body, so it can take any beating. For our Iona S hubs we use Ere custom industrial sealed bearings. Perfect for wet gravel adventures and reliable and durable. Iona S hubs are equipped with a 36T star ratchet system (upgradeable to 54T) body offering direct engagement in all riding conditions. Iona hubs are available with Shimano, Campagnolo and SRAM XDR free hub body options.
Torque 2 design
Torque 2 is taking the forces that the hub absorbs from the disc brake load when braking. When the rear wheel gets torque from the hub body when pressure is applied through the chain and cassette, it directs those forces where the material is strongest. That way we can remove material where we can and add material where needed.
Iona hubs are created/produced by 3D forging and then postmachining and therefore can withstand those forces in a best way.
Our Iona hub series are as light as possible, but without compromising on strength and reliability. At the same time, we accomplished keeping the structural integrity with a very thin wall design made from very high-grade aluminium. This results in weights as low as 235grams for the rear hub and 100 grams for the front hub.
Spokes
The GT25 wheels are built with black Sapim CX Leader spokes. The black straight pull spokes have an aero bladed finish and add a lot of strength to the wheel. The front and rear wheel are laced to the hub with 24 spokes.
Nipples
For Tenaci GT25 we use Sapim 14mm nipples in a black finish.
Tubeless
Tubeless tape is already fitted to the wheels, you just need to add some nice Ere tubeless valves to your order and you’re ready to ride!
Lifetime warranty
Tenaci GT25 can be registered to obtain lifetime warranty. The maximum rider weight is set at 130kg.
Build extra:
TENACI GT25
Intended use: Allround Gravel
Total set weight: 1.560 grams (1-3% tolerance)
Front wheel weight: 705 grams
Rear wheel weight: 844 grams
Tyre compatibility: Tubeless
Recommended tyre width: 36C – 54C (32mm Road tire will fit)
Minimum tyre width: 32C
Maximum tyre width: 58C
Maximum rider weight: 140 kg
Brake System: Disc brake only
Warranty Lifetime*
Crash replacement Lifetime
Rims Front Rear
Rim material Carbon Carbon
Rim height 25mm 25mm
Rim size (ETRTO) 700C / 28″ 700C / 28″
External rim width 32mm 32mm
Internal Rim width 25mm 25mm
Rim type Mini Hook Mini Hook
Holles pattern 24 24
Tubeless (ready) Yes* Yes*
Tubeless Tape Ere Tubeless Tape 30 Ere Tubeless Tape 30
Hubs Front Rear
Hubs IONA S IONA S
Hub material Alloy Alloy
Bearings 2 x Ere Custom Bearings 2 x Ere Custom Bearings
Engagement system 36T Star Ratchet Ere custom 15692 bearing
Compatibility Shimano/SRAM/Campagnolo
Axle System TA 100 x 12mm TA 142 x 12mm
Brake Interface Centerlock Centerlock
Spokes Front Rear
Spoke Sapim CX Leader Black Sapim CX Leader Black
Spoke count 24 24
Spoke type Straightpull Aero Straightpull Aero
Spoke material Steel Steel
Spoke length* DS 297mm / NDS 295mm DS 297mm / NDS 295mm
Nipples Sapim Double Square Alloy 14G*16mm Secure Lock Black Sapim Double Square Alloy 14G*16mm Secure Lock Black
Spoke tension* DS 880-1030Nm / NDS 950-1150Nm DS 1020-1220Nm / NDS 880-1030Nm
Wheel construction
Wheel construction extra:
Wheel performance
Wheel performance extra:
Wheel durability
Wheel durability extra:
Wheel weight
Wheel weight extra:
Wheel value
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