If you are looking for a new front wheel on your way to upgrading to a new wheelset, the Stan's NoTubes Grail Team wheels share a great deal with the top-end Pro model, and the changes were made so the wheels could have a greater max weight rating (230lbs vs 190lbs), and come down a bit in price. The lightweight, disc-only rims are the same, and functionally the test of the technology is very similar; i.e. the NEO hub versus the NEO Ultimate, and a different set of spokes as well. At 1360 grams for the front and rear set, the Grail CB7 Team weighs just 1360 grams, or only 83 grams than the Pro-series.

For NoTubes the key to building a great wheel starts with the rim. Lighter is better, tubeless ready is required, and the width determines the tire size range. The carbon CB7 Grail rims weigh in at 300 grams, so check off "light". The shallow bead socket tubeless (BST-R) for road, or higher upper pressure range takes full advantage of NoTubes 25mm tubeless tape and 35mm valves for an optimal set-up with sealant. The WideRIght concept was developed by NoTubes to ensure that rim widths are appropriately matched to tires size for optimal shape, use, and safety.

The 21.6mm internal width of the CB7 Grail rim is designed for 25-40mm tires. Never exceed the maximum pressure rating of the tire and rim based on tire size, and use caution with low pressure set-ups to ensure that your seal is effective enough eliminate burping of air/sealant at impact. The rim technology is named RiACT. Obsessive attention to the shape of the rim and a proprietary carbon fiber lay-up process have resulted in a rim that absorbs radial vibrations and impacts while maintaining lateral stiffness, keeping your wheels driving constantly forward with less energy loss than other carbon rims. The more forward momentum your wheel and tire can maintain without deflecting off the ground and sending your energy upward and backward, the faster you move. RiACT carbon rims allow the wheel system to absorb more energy overall, offering levels of vibration damping and impact absorption never possible. The result is a rim that's both stronger and faster-rolling.

As most Grail CB7 Team use will be with tires from 32-50mm, the BST-R Series rims are optimized for tubeless use at pressures of up to 45psi. The max rider weight is 230lbs, so you don't have to be a featherweight to take advantage of these lightweight rims. The disc only front wheel has a 24 hole configuration, laced 2x/2x. NoTubes uses Sapim's j-bend back Force 2.0/1.7/1.8mm stainless steel spokes and black Secure Lock alloy nipples. The ride is compliant, yet with consistently high tension the hub-based disc rotor forces are easily managed. It is the combination of the spokes, lacing, rim, and proper tire use that allows the Grail CB7 Team Front Wheel to perform as it designed- driving hard into corners and piloting out from the apex.

Of course at center of any wheel is the hub. Some hubs are fancier than others, but fancy means nothing. Function and performance capacity mean everything. For this wheel NoTubes uses their disc NEO hub. The NEO concept applies oversize alloy axles so the end user will have endcap flexibility for various axle type/sizes. The NEO is a solid hub, with an informed, well designed build, and features steel sealed cartridge bearings for maximum durability. The shell design has the widest bearing stance feasible and combines with the axle design to reduce flex and add durability. The hub features angled alloy flanges for improved spoke alignment and more consistent tension to the rim. The Slip-fit axle end caps make for easy hub standard conversions while roll smoothly, while preventing infiltration. This is a stout, high performing front hub that is still light and responsive as part of this fantastic wheelset.

Stan's NoTubes disrupted the wheel industry with their tubeless rim, tape, and sealant system and has taken that success and expanded it to offer it a full complement of wheel options for road and mountain, and everything in between. The Grail CB7 Team front wheel is durable enough for even a 200+lb rider to ride year round on the road or allroad surface of choice and still bang through the rigors of a cyclocross race season.