Tubeless innovators Stan's NoTubes are set to soon start shipping their first dedicated road rims and wheelsets, which look to deliver the same performance advantages and good value as their off-road products but in an impressively lightweight package.
Claimed weight on the new ZTR Alpha 340 aluminium rim is just 350g, complete with a modest 22.6mm U-shaped profile, 20/17mm external/internal rim width, sleeved joints, machined sidewalls and NoTubes' trademark short bead hooks.
When paired with two layers of NoTubes rim tape and the dedicated 44mm Alpha valve (plus a bit of latex-based sealant), the company's Mike Bush says the ZTR Alpha 340 will be compatible with appropriate tubeless tyres, too – making for a very light but potentially also a very sweet-riding and reliable combination.
NoTubes will offer the bare ZTR Alpha 340 rims in both 28h and 32h drillings for US$120 each, plus a trio of complete hand built wheelsets too. The top-end ZTR Alpha 340 Pro will use American Classic hubs – a Micro 18h front and a special 24h rear with high-low flanges and 2:1 drilling for more even spoke tension.
DT Swiss Aerolite spokes will be used throughout (radial front, radial/three-cross rear). Claimed weight is just 1,200g and suggested retail price is $1,100 with an included padded double wheel bag.
The mid-range ZTR Alpha 340 Team swaps in a standard American Classic rear hub, increases spoke counts to 24 front/28 rear, and does without the wheel bag. Claimed weight is a still very light 1,310g for the pair and pricing is set at $900.
The undisputed bargain of the trio will be the ZTR Alpha 340 Comp, which will use NoTubes' own ZTR sealed-bearing alloy hubs and standard 28/32h front/rear spoke counts. Claimed weight is an impressive 1,415g and retail price is $615.
Bare rims and complete ZTR Alpha 340 Pro wheelsets are available from NoTubes right now, with Team and Comp models to follow in July.