947 grams.
Just a few years ago, achieving such a figure with a fully functional road wheelset built on steel spokes would have seemed almost impossible.
The sub-1000 g barrier was usually reserved for highly radical designs: carbon or textile spokes, extremely low spoke counts, narrow rims, and components selected purely to achieve the lowest possible weight. Technically fascinating, perhaps... but rarely suitable for everyday use.
This project shows something different. Thanks to Duke Strada 36 rims, Extralite HyperSmart HyperCeramic hubs, and Alpina Extralite steel spokes, it is possible to build a modern road wheelset weighing just 947 g, without resorting to the most exotic solutions available.
In the world of lightweight wheels, there is a certain symbolic number. Four digits become three.
The highest-grade carbon fibers and advanced resin systems have made it possible to achieve a rim weight of just 275 g, with a 36 mm depth and a 25 mm internal width. At the moment, this is one of the lightest road rims available on the market in this category of dimensions.
This wheelset was built with the lowest possible weight in mind, but without moving away from the classic structure of a road wheel.
Most importantly, the 947 g result was not achieved by going back to very narrow rims. The Duke Strada 36 has a 25 mm internal width, making it suitable for modern 28 mm and wider road tires.
In recent years, there has been a lot of discussion around carbon spokes, textile spokes, and weight-weenie wheel designs.
It is time to clear up a few myths.
Textile spokes, such as Berd and PiRope
Carbon spokes
With hubs designed for steel spokes, standard dimensions are around 35 mm from the left flange and 20 mm from the right flange. Add crossed spokes to that, and the result is a truly stiff and durable wheelset.
The most interesting thing about the Duke Strada 36 rim is the combination of features that, until recently, rarely appeared together.
Today’s lightweight road wheels are no longer designed exclusively around narrow 23 mm tires and high pressure.
A 25 mm internal width fits perfectly into the current direction of modern road bikes: 28 mm, 30 mm and 32 mm tires, lower pressure, more grip, lower rolling resistance and greater comfort.
Light. You feel the weight, or rather the lack of it, the moment you pick the wheels up. 947 grams for a complete road wheelset makes a huge impression, even on people who handle lightweight components every day.
Low rotating mass makes a huge difference during acceleration and long climbs. The wheels pick up speed very easily, and the bike feels more dynamic and responsive with every change of pace.
At the same time, the wide rim, compatibility with modern 28–32 mm tires and the medium-depth 36 mm profile mean this is not just a project built to chase every single gram. These wheels are equally at home during long training rides, mountain gran fondos or all-day adventures. An additional advantage is Duke’s crash replacement program and the full serviceability of all components.
947 g on steel spokes is a result that, until recently, would have seemed extremely difficult to achieve in a practical road wheelset.
Today, thanks to Duke Strada rims, Extralite hubs and Alpina Extralite spokes, it is possible to build wheels that combine extremely low weight with modern width and real-world usability.
Every CarbonOne wheelset can be built individually — around your riding style, bike, rider weight, tires and the exact wheel feel you are looking for.
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