WTB CGR i28 Carbon Gravel Wheels - First Look

Are wider gravel wheels actually faster? 

Gravel tires keep getting wider, but plenty of wheels are still shaped around the days when a 40mm tire felt huge. WTB is taking a different approach with the new CGR i28 Carbon Gravel Wheels. The wheelset uses a 28mm internal rim width, a 40mm depth, and new Frequency 7X hubs, then pairs that hardware with WTB's latest 50 to 54mm gravel tires.

The interesting part is how WTB paired a 28mm internal rim with new 50 to 54mm tires and shaped the two around one another.

What Is New

The CGR i28 is WTB's new carbon wheelset for fast gravel racing, rough back roads, and long-distance riding. Each rim is 40mm deep, 35.5mm wide externally, and 28mm wide internally. WTB lists the carbon rim at 400 grams and the complete wheelset at a claimed 1,420 grams, putting the wide and relatively deep platform into a light complete package on paper.

The rim is hookless and uses a 2.8mm asymmetric offset to help balance spoke tension. WTB also adds reinforced spoke beds and what it calls 4D drilling, which angles each spoke hole toward the hub to reduce stress where the spoke meets the rim. Twenty-four bladed Pillar spokes are used front and rear.

WTB says its carbon layup varies the amount of material throughout the rim to improve vertical compliance without giving up strength. We will wait until we ride them before making any comfort claims, but the layout makes sense for a gravel wheel that is supposed to be fast without feeling harsh all day.

Why WTB Went Wider

A 28mm internal width is the main number here. WTB recommends the CGR i28 for 45 to 54mm gravel tires. The goal is to give those larger tires enough support while preserving a rounded profile for traction and predictable cornering. Push the rim too wide and the tire can become square. Keep it too narrow and a high-volume tire can feel vague when pushed hard.

WTB is also chasing a cleaner aerodynamic shape. The company says the wide rim and matching tire sidewalls form a smoother airfoil, helping airflow stay attached longer instead of separating around a bulb-shaped tire. That is the theory, at least. Gravel speeds and constantly changing wind make aero gains harder to feel than they are on a road bike, but there is logic in designing the rim and tire together instead of treating them as unrelated parts.

Frequency 7X Hubs

The new Frequency 7X hubs might be the more interesting half of the wheelset. The rear uses a 36-tooth ratchet drive with DLC-coated ratchets to reduce friction and wear. Instead of threading the inner ratchet ring into the hubshell, WTB keys it into place with splines. WTB says this interface handles more than twice the torque of a threaded design and can be serviced without specialist tools.

Larger Enduro bearings are used throughout the hub. WTB claims the rear freehub bearings carry up to 38 percent more load than the comparison hub in its testing. The complete hubset is listed at 285 grams, and WTB says the platform was raced by Cannondale Factory Racing during the 2026 World Cup season. Rear-wheel options include SRAM XDR, Shimano Micro Spline, and Shimano HG.

WTB CGR i28 Specifications

The CGR i28 has the specs we would expect from a modern premium gravel wheelset, but a few details define its intended rider. The hookless rim has a 40 psi maximum, so this wheel is clearly aimed at higher-volume tires rather than narrow gravel rubber run at road-bike pressures.

• Wheel size: 700c
• Rim material: Carbon
• Internal rim width: 28mm
• External rim width: 35.5mm
• Rim depth: 40mm
• Rim design: Hookless with a 40 psi maximum
• Recommended tire width: 45 to 54mm
• Spokes: 24 front and rear, Pillar cold-forged bladed
• Hub: WTB Frequency 7X with a 36-tooth ratchet drive
• Axles: 12x100mm front and 12x142mm rear
• Rotor mount: CenterLock
• Freehub options: SRAM XDR, Shimano Micro Spline, and Shimano HG
• Claimed wheelset weight: 1,420g
• Price: $850 front, $950 rear, or $1,800 per wheelset
• Warranty: WTB Ride With Confidence Guarantee for the original owner

New WTB Gravel Tires

WTB launched the CGR i28 alongside three wide gravel tires, which helps explain why the rim is shaped the way it is. All three tires use WTB's patent-pending aerodynamic sidewall features, while the tread patterns cover very different types of gravel riding. Each tire is listed at $89.95 in the United States.

Byway RS 50 : The fastest option, with a slick centerline and low-profile shoulder tread for pavement, hardpack, and smoother gravel.

Course 52 : The middle-ground tire, with more tread for mixed dry conditions without moving all the way to a full adventure tire.

Macro 54: The rough-terrain option, with a higher-volume casing and widely spaced knobs for loose, rocky, and more technical roads.

What We Are Excited To Try

On paper, the CGR i28 looks great. The 28mm internal width, 40mm depth, claimed 1,420-gram weight, and new Frequency 7X hubs all line up with the way modern gravel bikes are being ridden.

We already have a set coming in to test, and we cannot wait to pair them with the Macro 54, Course 52, and Byway RS 50 tires we have been riding all summer. That should give us a much better idea of how the complete WTB wheel-and-tire system feels on familiar terrain. Once we have put some real miles on them, we will come back with a proper ride review.

Worldwide Cyclery Takeaway

The CGR i28 makes a strong case for where gravel wheels are heading. WTB developed the rim, hub, and new wide gravel tires as one system, then backed the design with bearing load data, aerodynamic development, and a clearly defined purpose. It feels like a thoughtful product rather than another carbon wheel built around a few headline numbers.

We are genuinely stoked on where WTB is going. We have always loved the brand because its products are dependable, practical, and come from a smaller company that understands how people actually ride. With the CGR i28 and its new wide gravel tires, WTB feels like it is stepping into the upper end of the premium market. The products still have the reliability and personality we expect from WTB, but now there is more science, testing, and data behind them to compete with the best. We already have a set on the way, and we cannot wait to get them dirty.