HED has been conservative in their approach to the industry drive for carbon clincher, tubeless ready wheels, and given the company's history it has not been a question of experience working with carbon. Until HED's engineers felt they could properly balance heat build-up, braking control, strength and durability, aluminum rim edge and brake track clinchers made the most sense. It is not as if HED wasn't working on them, but the braking challenge was always a hang-up. Managing the heat properly is crucial to safety, so the conservative perspective won out. Disc brakes have changed the equation for HED and the carbon clincher aero wheel they have developed, the Vanquish 6 Carbon Disc Brake Wheelset now delivers ideal carbon clincher tubeless ready technology, along with HED's proven aerodynamics and wider rim structure (that would never have fit in standard road brake) in a thru-axle, disc only design that will carry HED, and you, to the front of the pack.

With a 60mm profile, 21mm internal width, and a massive max 30mm external width, the 2020 graphic Vanquish 4 GP Disc rim is incredibly stable in virtually all wind situations and while cornering, sprinting or rolling at speed in a group. It is as fast with a 23mm wide tire as it is with a 28mm tire and actually very comfortable to ride. Max tire pressure is 90 psi, and the width of the rim gives tires a wide contact patch that hugs the road surface, reducing rolling resistance and ensuring grip and control. At 1589 grams for the pair, this 60mm deep wheelset is more than competitive with other mid section race performance wheels, is extremely durable, and features some impressive aerodynamic properties. Ultimately this is what HED has been delivering for decades, but now you get the tubeless ready carbon clincher you have been asking for.

As with most such disc brake equipped aero wheels, the lacing is 24 hole 2x/2x front and rear. Bladed steel spokes ensure high tension and consistent build integrity. HED uses their 545 Center Lock disc hubset which offers oversized alloy axles and an efficient freehub system with fast engagement and low drag. Freehub bodies are interchangeable so Campagnolo and SRAM XDR are an option. Between the superlative made in Minnesota rim construction, durable hubset and resilient build, HED has approved the Vanquish for road, gravel, and cyclocross use. The overall effect and capability of this long awaited HED wheelset has be to be ridden to be appreciated.

HED ships the Vanquish 6 with 40mm valve extenders, but no tubeless valves. The valve extenders are the threaded type so you can move the existing valve core of the tube to the top of the extender, then thread thread the extender into the tube. The valves themselves are smooth. As such you can't use them in a tubeless set-up. HED recommends DT Swiss and Orange Seal (have 80mm option) tubeless valves as the best option for the Vanquish 6. Any current sealant is acceptable, so perhaps you match sealant to the tire, but otherwise we recommend Stan's NoTubes Tire Sealant.