FFWD's first gravel-specific wheelset. Built for the rough stuff, without the weight penalty.
The name says it all, really. The FFWD Drift wheels were designed from the ground up for gravel riding, not adapted from a road wheelset and hoped for the best. That distinction matters once you're off the tarmac.
The 36mm gravel wheelset profile sits in a useful middle ground, stiff enough to handle loaded gravel days and technical terrain, with enough compliance that your hands and back aren't wrecked by the time you reach the café. At 1,515 grams for the pair, these are genuinely lightweight gravel wheels for what you're getting in terms of construction and versatility.
The carbon rims run a 24mm internal width, which means tyre choice is wide open. Anywhere from 30mm up to 60mm will fit, so whether you're running a fast 35mm on hardpack or a chunkier tyre for rougher British bridleways, the Drift handles it. As a tubeless gravel wheelset, setup is sorted before the box is even unpacked, tape pre-installed, valves included, ready to go.
Spokes are thicker than you'd find on a road-specific build, a deliberate choice for the extra punishment gravel dishes out over time. The disc brake gravel wheelset lacing works with 12mm thru-axles as standard, with conversion kits available for 15mm thru-axle or quick-release mounts if your frame needs it.
Hub choice is where it gets interesting. The standard FFWD hubs are solid and dependable for most riders. If you want to go further, the DT Swiss 240 hubs with the EXP ratchet system bring higher precision, reduced weight, and the kind of engagement feel that makes a noticeable difference on technical descents. Both options are worth considering depending on what you ride and how often.
As 700c carbon gravel wheels go, the Drift is one of the more complete packages on the market, thought through for gravel use rather than repurposed from another discipline.
What's in the box:
- Drift wheelset (front and rear)
- FFWD-branded wheel bag
- Pre-installed tubeless tape
- Tubeless valves
- Disc rotors: not included