“Atomik Carbon represents the latest technological advances in carbon-fiber bicycle performance products. Engineered from the trail up to be stronger, lighter and faster, Atomik Carbon rims are exceptionally light, laterally stiff and impact resistant, resulting in precise handling and superior ride quality that simply must be experienced. We live for the ride, and we believe no single upgrade can improve your ride like a premium wheelset, so we set out to make the best you can buy at a price you can afford.” – Atomik Carbon
Atomik Carbon Gravel GR33 with Berd Spokes (650b)
“The GR33 700C and 650B feature the same profile as our tried and trusted XC33, but with a lighter layup and 28 spokes. It has a generous 26mm ID so you can Excel with tires ranging from 42mm to 50mm and bigger. The smaller diameter of the 650B wheel is ideal for rougher and looser terrain and either size is great for bike packing and tearing up singletrack.”
This wheelset varied from the norm, being a custom Atomik-Berd Spoke wheelset built exclusively for the Cannondale Topstone Carbon Lefty Review bike. Please remember, Atomik offer this wheelset for more traditional bikes. Anything is possible! One thing to note, the wheelset includes a lifetime warranty to the original owner; there was an error about that in the video review below.
“Atomik Carbon Ultimate gravel and mountain wheelsets are ultra-lightweight, starting at just 1,270 grams per pair. And by combining the uniquely compliant ride offered by Berd Spokes with the damp and precise characteristics of Atomik Carbon rims, the Ultimate Wheelsets offer the ultimate ride quality. Berd spokes, typically available only in white, are available in a limited edition Stealth Black exclusive to Atomik Carbon Ultimate Wheelsets.”
JOM of the Gravel Cyclist crew slapped these lovely high-zoot carbon wheels onto the Cannondale Topstone Carbon Lefty, which in itself presented a huge upgrade in terms of weight loss from the overall bike package. But, how do these wheels ride, setup for tubeless, and so on? JOM goes through all of these details and more in his comprehensive review.
Atomik Carbon Gravel GR33 + BERD Spokes Wheelset Review
Atomik Carbon Gravel GR33 + BERD Spokes – More Tech
Bead Lock
“All Atomik Carbon rims utilize an angled bead lock to keep the tire bead positioned on the shelf when air is released from the tire and also adds a level of safety if a tire is leaking. This features allows you to refresh sealant without having the tire bead fall into the center of the rim, resulting in a tire that is more difficult to inflate and re-seat.”
Hookless Design
“Atomik Carbon rims feature a layer of composite material that increases the impact strength and helps distribute energy and shock from impacts to the rim (illustrated above) All rims use a blend of Toray 700 and 800 carbon fiber with the Toray 800, which is 25% stronger, used in high impact areas.”
Impact Resistant Construction
“Atomik Carbon rims feature a layer of composite material that increases the impact strength and helps distribute energy and shock from impacts to the rim (illustrated above) All rims use a blend of Toray 700 and 800 carbon fiber with the Toray 800, which is 25% stronger, used in high impact areas.”
GR33 650b Rim Specs
- Rim Width Outside Diameter – 33mm
- Rim Width Inside Diameter – 26mm
- Rim Depth – 24mm
- Rim Weight – 405 grams +/- 15 grams
- Spoke Drilling: 28, Directionally Drilled
- ERD: 560
GR33 700c Rim Specs
- Rim Width Outside Diameter – 33mm
- Rim Width Inside Diameter – 26mm
- Rim Depth – 24mm
- Rim Weight – 385 grams +/- 15 grams
- Spoke Drilling: 28, Directionally Drilled
- ERD: 597
Berd Spokes
“Known as “the world’s lightest spokes,” Berd patented spokes are made from ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene, or UHMWPE—the same material found in bulletproof body armor. Not only does this advanced polymer have superior damping properties to minimize impact and vibration, it has 12 times the strength-to-weight ratio of the steel used in traditional spokes and a superior fatigue life.”
“Like all Atomik Carbon wheelsets, all Atomik Berd Wheelsets are handbuilt. But unlike builds using traditional spokes, Berd builds are labor intensive, with certain types of hubs requiring a chamfering and polishing process, and three tensioning sessions, including a “rest” period of 24 hours during which the Berd’s UHMWPE material naturally relaxes by up to 50 percent before being re-tensioned. They then relax by up to 25 percent before reaching their maximum length during a third and final tensioning.”
“And despite the compliant ride, Atomik Carbon Ultimate Wheelsets are every bit as stiff and precise as wheels built with traditional steel spokes. And starting at only $1,700 per complete wheelset, they offer premium performance at an exceptional value; Berd spokes alone normally retail for $600 per wheelset.”
Links of Interest:
- Berd Spokes – http://berdspokes.com
- Cannondale Topstone Carbon Lefty Review
- Cannondale Topstone Carbon Lefty vs Niner MCR 9 RDO: Comparing the Wildest Gravel Bikes!
- Panaracer Gravelking SS Tyre Review
- 2020 SBT VRTL Gainesville, Florida, Black Edition: 144 Miles/230kms in 92F/31C, 90+% Humidity
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