New Boyd CCC Gravel Wheelset Priced at $700

We recently requested Boyd’s Ridgeline wheels for review with the rationale that they were one of only a few wheelsets on the market that offered relatively wide rims, a 32 rear/28 front spoke combination, and a multitude of axle configurations—a set of features perfect for either gravel or MTB bikepacking rigs. As it happens, the small South Carolina-based company just announced its latest wheelset, the CCC, a gravel-specific wheelset with very similar specs to the Ridgeline in a much more affordable package.

As most of you probably know, the CCC wheelset borrows its name from the Civilian Conservation Corps, a voluntary public unemployment program designed to provide jobs and help families who faced challenges during the Great Depression. In the mountains of North and South Carolina there are remnants of “Old CCC” roads deep in the forests that have become favorite exploration destinations for Boyd Johnson, founder of Boyd Cycling.

“Going way off the beaten path and onto roadbeds that haven’t been active for decades is some of the most fun I’ve had on a bike,” said Johnson. “I’ve come across old moonshine distilleries and people on 4-wheelers, but never any traffic. Going that remote means the durability of the equipment is a must.”

With that in mind, according to Boyd, the CCC was designed handle rugged off-road terrain, while still performing will on pavement and light gravel. The 6069 series alloy gravel-specific rim has a 25mm internal width (same as the older Ridgeline we tested) and a 2.8mm offset. It features smaller 0.7mm hooks (compared to most standard 1.1mm hooks) with increased thickness at the hook walls (1.35mm) for better impact protection while running lower tire pressures.

The rim weighs in at 415 grams in a 700c size and 395 grams in the 650b. Built with Boyd Cycling’s Quest Disc Brake hubs, the complete wheelset weighs 1515 grams for the 700c set and 1475 grams for the 650b. Spoke count options are 24f/28r and 28f/32r built using Pillar Wing 20 spokes and external brass nipples.

The new lightweight alloy wheelset fits in Boyd’s current lineup with the carbon Pinnacle 700c and Jocassee 650b sets with a more affordable $700 pricepoint. Hubs are available with Shimano HG, Sram XDR, and Shimano Microspline drivers and feature tool free axle end caps and drivers in QR 135 and 142 x 12mm for the rear, and 100 QR, 100 x 12mm, and 100 x 15mm for the front. Learn more at BoydCycling.com.

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