FFWD Wheels introduces the DRIFT, a brand new wheel set specifically designed for gravel. The DRIFT features a new hookless rim purpose built for the rigors of off-road use and compatible with tubeless tires up to 60mm.
With a performance road wheel range suitable for light gravel and multi-surface use FFWD saw the growing demand for a gravel specific wheel set. We started a development process to create a unique model with durability and performance being the key specifications. The result is a carefully designed rim combined with only the highest quality components – Meet The DRIFT.
Durability and Handling
While weight is typically one of the more interesting specifications in wheel selection for the DRIFT we took a different approach. In our design and component choices weight is important but should not compromise other areas such as durability and handling.
The DRIFT is built with a newly designed full carbon 700c 36mm deep hookless rim with 30mm external and 24mm internal widths. Components include DT Swiss Aero Comp straight pull spokes and external brass nipples in a 2:1 lacing pattern.
The DRIFT is available in 2 models with the new DT Swiss DT240 EXP center lock (12/100mm, 12/142mm) and a custom built DT Swiss DT350/240 EXP (12/100mm, 12/142mm) option for riders who may need to run a 15mm front thru axle using available DT Swiss adapters.
The DT Aero Comp spokes offer more stiffness and durability and are more resilient when taking impacts over their bladed road cousins. These selections combined with our wheel building process deliver you stiffness and direct power transmission when you put the wheels in motion.
Hookless Rim Design
The newly designed hookless rim features an internal width of 24mm only compatible with tubeless tires. A special carbon layup was engineered to deal with higher impacts when riding on lower tire pressures on heavy gravel roads. The DRIFT offers the use of a broad range of tire options from minimum 30mm up to 60mm with a maximum tire pressure of 72 psi/5 bar.
While weight is not the most important specification, the DRIFT wheel set comes in at a mere 1515 grams on the scale. As with all FFWD Wheels the DRIFT comes as a complete package with 27mm tubeless tape and tubeless valves in a protective FFWD padded wheel bag.
For an overview of the complete DRIFT specifications, download the datasheet here.
