Gravel wheels occupy a peculiar middle ground in the component hierarchy—they need to handle road speeds on pavement, absorb punishment on mixed terrain, and survive the occasional unplanned dismount without sending you home in a support vehicle. The Ritchey Comp Zeta GX Disc Wheelset addresses this balancing act with aluminum rim construction and hub internals borrowed from Ritchey's higher-tier offerings, delivering a gravel-specific platform that prioritizes real-world durability over weight sheet heroics. The Comp designation positions these below WCS in Ritchey's lineup, but the fundamental engineering remains consistent with their race-proven designs.

The rim profile uses a 22mm internal width that accommodates the tire volumes gravel riding demands—wide enough to support 40mm-plus casings without excessive sidewall squirm, yet not so wide that narrower gravel tires lose their intended shape. Tubeless compatibility comes standard, with rim bed profiles designed for reliable bead seating across the range of gravel tire brands and constructions currently available. The aluminum construction handles impacts that would crack carbon layups, a practical consideration when your route includes unmapped farm roads and the occasional cattle guard.

Hub internals determine long-term reliability more than any other wheelset component, and Ritchey specs the Zeta GX with their WCS-level bearing and engagement systems. The straight-pull spoke lacing pattern improves wheel building consistency and simplifies truing when spokes inevitably need adjustment after extended rough-road use. Center Lock rotor mounting accommodates standard disc brake interfaces, while the hub shell compatibility spans both standard road and boost spacing configurations to match current gravel frame standards.... Read More