{"title":"3T Wheels","description":"\u003cdiv class=\"collection-header\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e3T has been building precision cycling components since 1961 — starting with handlebars for Italian professional riders in Turin, and evolving over six decades into a full-line brand producing cockpits, wheels, and complete bikes. The Discus wheel line reflects the same engineering approach that made 3T components a fixture on European pelotons for generations: deliberate design decisions backed by aerodynamic research. \u003cstrong\u003eRA Cycles\u003c\/strong\u003e carries 3T's Discus wheelset family across road and gravel disciplines, including the Discus 45|40 LTD, Discus Plus I28 LTD, and Discus C35 and C60 Team clincher options.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe defining characteristic of the Discus line is the NoseTail rim profile — a blunt-section design developed with aero expert Dave Kennedy that performs consistently across typical wind angles, paired with wide internal widths that improve tire shape and cornering stability. The range covers road clincher setups and tubeless-ready gravel configurations built around wide tires.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","products":[{"product_id":"3t-discus-c35-team-clincher-wheelset","title":"3T Discus C35 Team Clincher Wheelset","description":"\u003cp\u003eThe  middle child often has issues. Here, the 3T Discus C35 Team Wheelset’s only  issue is that it’s so secure taking from its siblings, it might be too  confident. It shares the hub design of the C35 Pro and a carbon-fiber rim  similar to that on the C35 LTD, giving you a light disc-brake wheel (1425g for  the set) with good aerodynamics and the right price.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe rim  is carbon-fiber, designed for clincher tires, 24.5mm wide, 32mm deep, and  offset to the left. The design is asymmetric to better balance the spoke tension  on dished wheels. You know that rear wheels are dished, but once you go to disc  brakes, front wheels need to be dished, too. Further, the front spokes need to  be crossed due to the twisting forces at the hub from the brake. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe spoke  bed is also improved by what 3T calls double-angle drilling, which means that  the holes are set both for the radial and tangent angles, creating a straighter  line from the hub flanges to the rim. The alloy nipples are set internally for  greater rim strength and they rest on washers that add strength to the rim and  make it easy to tension if you ever knock the rim out of true.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eGoing  back to the rim, it is wide for aerodynamics. With 700c by 23-25mm tires, and  you won’t want to narrower, the tire, when mounted to the rim will result in  the leading and trailing edges being nearly identical. This is an aero benefit  both for no-wind and crosswind situations. The greater air volume reduces  rolling resistance and increases comfort for a given pressure and means you can  even lower pressure and see both rolling resistance and comfort improve. Wider  tires, also fit, and you can probably go as wide as your bike allows.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe  double-butted aero spokes, 24 front and rear, crossed-two, lead to flanges  designed for straight-pull spokes. Below the spokes is a convertible axle  system. There are pinch bolts on the end caps. These can be loosened and the  caps removed so you can chose between a quick-release axle and a thru-axle. This  is for both front and rear hubs, with the front width the standard 100mm,  swapping to either a 12 or 15mm thru-axle, and the rear width 135mm, allowing  you to choose between a standard quick release or a 135x12mm or 142x12mm thru  axle. All necessary end caps, axles, and quick releases are included.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe disc  rotor, and you’ll need one for each hub, mounts to the hub via Centerlock-style  splines.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe  standard cassette body is a Shimano\/SRAM-compatible 10\/11-speed spline. A  9\/10\/11-speed Campagnolo-compatible cassette body is available as an  aftermarket option. The set also comes with rim strips. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe 3T  Discus C35 Team Wheelset gives you the advantage of carbon-fiber rims with a  smart axle design so your disc-brake-equipped bike is ready for anything.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"3T","offers":[{"title":"Black \/ Shimano \/ SRAM","offer_id":43505419157548,"sku":"412BLBG41W","price":1500.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0608\/7684\/9196\/files\/3t-discus-c35-team-clincher-wheelset-6173324.jpg?v=1771302667"},{"product_id":"3t-discus-45-32-ltd-tubeless-wheelset","title":"3T Discus 45|40 LTD Tubeless Wheelset","description":"\u003cdiv\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe \u003cstrong\u003e3T Discus 45|40 LTD Tubeless Wheelset\u003c\/strong\u003e is built around a design premise that most wheel engineers quietly avoid: that a wide rim and genuine aerodynamic performance can coexist. At 32mm external width and 45mm deep, these unidirectional carbon hoops are optimized for the 28-32mm tire that now defines fast road riding — and they stretch into gravel territory with tires up to 40mm. That range isn't a marketing footnote. It means one wheelset can anchor a road setup on a Tuesday night hammerfest and reappear on a gravel adventure the following weekend without apology.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe aerodynamic case for the Discus 45|40 LTD goes deeper than rim depth alone. 3T's RealFast aerodynamics approach is designed around how wide rims actually behave in crosswind conditions — the kind of variable, gusty air you encounter on exposed roads and open courses — rather than optimizing purely for controlled wind tunnel conditions at zero yaw. According to 3T, this translates to crosswind resistance comparable to a conventional 60mm-deep rim, at just 45mm of depth. For a front wheel especially, that shallower effective depth means more confidence in technical descents and exposed riding without surrendering speed on the straights.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe LTD designation marks this out from the standard Discus range. \u003cstrong\u003eSapim CX-Ray straight-pull spokes\u003c\/strong\u003e — widely regarded as the benchmark for aero spokes — lace the wheel at 24 front and rear, balancing lateral stiffness with a build weight of 1,640 grams for the pair. The hooked carbon rim is a deliberate choice for a tubeless wheelset that may see mixed-surface use: reliable bead retention matters when you're running lower pressures on gravel or rolling into a fast descent on a loaded road bike. Everything about the LTD build reflects a wheel that's meant to perform, not just impress on a spec sheet.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\n\u003ch3\u003eDesign Benefits\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003col class=\"design_benefits\"\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eRealFast Aerodynamics for Real-World Conditions:\u003c\/strong\u003e 3T designed the Discus 45|40 LTD to perform in the kind of variable crosswinds that define actual riding — not just clean, controlled wind tunnel scenarios. The wide 32mm rim profile works with modern tire shapes to smooth airflow at a range of yaw angles, with claimed crosswind performance on par with a traditional 60mm rim at just 45mm of depth. That balance matters when you're riding exposed roads or long group rides where sustained speed and handling confidence have to coexist.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eWide-Rim Architecture Built for Modern Tires:\u003c\/strong\u003e The 32mm external rim width isn't incidental — it's the structural foundation of how this wheel generates speed. Wider rims create a more aerodynamically continuous profile between tire and rim, and they support the higher-volume tires that deliver lower rolling resistance on real road surfaces. The Discus 45|40 LTD is designed for 28-40mm tires, giving it genuine range across road and light gravel use without compromising the aero geometry at the core of its design.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSapim CX-Ray Spokes for Stiffness Without Weight Penalty:\u003c\/strong\u003e CX-Ray straight-pull spokes are a deliberate choice in the LTD build. Their bladed profile reduces aerodynamic drag within the wheel, while the straight-pull lacing pattern eliminates the elbow bend that is typically the first point of stress failure in a spoke. At 24 spokes per wheel, the build maintains lateral stiffness for out-of-the-saddle efforts and sprinting without adding unnecessary grams.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eHooked Tubeless Rim for Mixed-Surface Confidence:\u003c\/strong\u003e 3T opted for a hooked rim bead on the Discus 45|40 LTD rather than hookless — a choice that reflects the wheelset's dual-surface intent. Hooked beads provide more secure tire retention across a wider range of tubeless tire brands and models, and they support the lower pressures that gravel and rough-road riding demand. For a tubeless wheelset that will see varied conditions, that security is worth more than the marginal manufacturing simplification that hookless offers.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eAsymmetric Depth for Balanced Handling:\u003c\/strong\u003e The 45mm front and 40mm rear depth pairing is a considered choice, not a cost measure. A slightly shallower rear wheel saves a small amount of weight where it matters less aerodynamically, while the deeper front prioritizes the aero gains that a leading edge delivers. The shallower rear also marginally reduces the surface area most affected by crosswind loading at the back of the bike, contributing to a more composed overall handling character in variable conditions.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ol\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eFinal Take\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe 3T Discus 45|40 LTD is a tubeless wheelset for riders who want one set of wheels to cover fast road riding and gravel without making significant concessions in either direction. The combination of RealFast aero design, CX-Ray spokes, and a 32mm wide carbon rim makes it a natural fit for a 3T Strada or Exploro — but it's equally at home on any disc-brake road or gravel bike designed around wider tires. If you ride hard across mixed terrain and want a wheelset built with that in mind from the ground up, the Discus 45|40 LTD makes a compelling case for itself without needing to shout about it.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"3T","offers":[{"title":"Matte Black \/ Campagnolo N3W","offer_id":43530625941548,"sku":"9009DQAM81L-N3W","price":2319.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Matte Black \/ HG11 (Shimano \/ SRAM 11s)","offer_id":43530626007084,"sku":"9009DQAM81L-SHI","price":2319.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Matte Black \/ Shimano \/ SRAM XDR","offer_id":43530626039852,"sku":"7009DQDF81W","price":2319.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Matte Black \/ XDR Driver","offer_id":43530626072620,"sku":"9009DQAM81L-XD","price":2319.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0608\/7684\/9196\/files\/3t-discus-4540-ltd-tubeless-wheelset-4585130.jpg?v=1771295771"},{"product_id":"3t-discus-plus-i28-ltd-tubeless-wheelset","title":"3T Discus Plus I28 LTD Tubeless Wheelset","description":"\u003cdiv\u003e\n  \u003cp\u003eThe \u003cstrong\u003e3T Discus Plus I28 LTD Tubeless Wheelset\u003c\/strong\u003e is 3T's gravel-specific 650b carbon wheelset, built around a design philosophy that challenges the default. Most gravel wheels are 700c. 3T's position — the one behind both this wheel and the Exploro gravel bike it was designed to pair with — is that 650b offers a more compelling set of trade-offs for riders who want to run wider tires on challenging terrain without compromising how their bike handles.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n  \u003cp\u003eThe argument is geometric. A 650b wheel with a 47mm tire has the same overall diameter as a 700c wheel with a 28mm road tire. Same diameter, but roughly three times the air volume, traction, and compliance. Run a 54mm tire on the same 650b rim and the overall diameter still only matches a 700c wheel with a 40mm tire — with nearly four times the air volume of a standard road setup. The practical consequence is that 650b lets you run significantly wider tires without the cascading geometry changes that force a bike to grow: longer chainstays, longer front-center, slower steering, taller headtubes on smaller frame sizes. The Discus Plus I28 LTD is the wheel that makes that argument in hardware.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n  \u003cp\u003eThe I28 designation refers to the rim's 28mm internal width — considerably wider than the 19mm standard found on most road and gravel wheelsets. For 47–60mm tire widths, a 28mm internal width reduces lateral tire flex in cornering, making handling more predictable on loose or technical surfaces. The wider bead seat also enables lower running pressures without the tire rolling off under load. The rim uses a hookless bead design — the appropriate choice for gravel tire widths where road-style hooked beads aren't required — which keeps the rim profile clean and tubeless mounting straightforward.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n  \u003cp\u003eConstruction is 100% unidirectional carbon in an ultralight layup, 30mm deep and 33.4mm wide externally. The rim bed uses angle-specific spoke drilling to align the nipple seat with the spoke's pull angle, reducing stress concentration at the rim wall. At 1,508g for the pair, it's competitive for a full-carbon 650b disc wheelset. Spokes are Sapim D-Light straight-pull, stainless steel with a black finish, 24 front and 24 rear. Nipples are Sapim Polyax 14G brass in a black finish — brass holds up against tubeless sealants significantly better than alloy nipples, which can corrode and seize over time. 3T explicitly recommends avoiding alkaline sealants with ammonia or sodium for best long-term nipple durability.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n  \u003cp\u003eHubs are 3T's GW Bombproof units with oversized light alloy bodies in a black satin anodized finish, running a Syntace X-12 axle standard — 100×12mm front, 142×12mm rear with 1.0mm thread — on centerlock disc mounts. Bearings are adjustable rather than cartridge, allowing preload to be tuned over time. The Sealtight system uses contact-style seals rather than the contactless labyrinth designs common on many hubs. Contact seals feel noticeably stiffer when new and require 100–1,000km of riding to fully settle in. 3T is upfront about this: a wheel that spins endlessly straight out of the box typically has seals that don't make proper contact, which means they're not keeping mud, water, and grit out of the bearings where it matters.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n  \u003cp\u003eThe wheelset ships with both freehub bodies included — a SRAM XD-R body compatible with both XD and XD-R cassettes, and a Shimano body for 10 and 11-speed cassettes. Most carbon wheelsets at this price require a separate freehub purchase to change drivetrain standards. The Discus Plus I28 LTD ships prepared for either, which means it moves between drivetrain setups without an additional purchase and stays useful through future component changes.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n  \u003cp\u003eAvailable in Matte Black. The Discus Plus I28 LTD is purpose-built for riders who have committed to 650b for gravel — running 47mm or wider tires on rough terrain — and want a wheelset designed specifically around that use case rather than adapted from a road or general-purpose gravel platform.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"3T","offers":[{"title":"Matte Black \/ Shimano \/ SRAM XDR","offer_id":43530626170924,"sku":"8009DRCQ70W","price":1769.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0608\/7684\/9196\/files\/3T_Discusi28_3_a1be28a2-9033-48af-8104-06724eefa496.jpg?v=1718776953"}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0608\/7684\/9196\/collections\/3t-bikes-4-769944.jpg?v=1719337896","url":"https:\/\/ricycles.com\/collections\/3t-wheels.oembed","provider":"RA Cycles","version":"1.0","type":"link"}