While the world’s biggest cycling brands are just discovering “wide” gravel rims, local manufacturer Plus Wheels is already one step ahead. Today, we are teasing our upcoming Plus Gsl-R:
- Paul Kambouris
- Feb 6
- 2 min read
While the world’s biggest cycling brands are just discovering “wide” gravel rims, local manufacturer Plus Wheels is already one step ahead. Today, we are teasing our upcoming Plus Gsl-R a gravel wheelset with a massive 35mm internal width—making it wider, more stable, and more capable than even the latest Zipp 303 XPLR. If you’ve been searching for a wide gravel wheelset built for African conditions, this launch is one to watch.
Modern gravel riding isn’t just hardpack farm roads anymore. In South Africa it’s the Karoo’s corrugations, Munga-level punishment, washboard descents, rocky jeep track, and the kind of singletrack that would happily eat a road-biased setup. That’s where rim width stops being a marketing detail and starts being the difference between confidence and survival.
For years, many gravel wheelsets sat around 25mm internal width. Pair that with a 45mm or 50mm gravel tire and you often get the classic “lightbulb” profile—where the tire balloons above a narrow rim. The result? A tire that can feel vague when you lean it into loose corners, and a setup that often needs higher pressure to keep the rim safe from strikes. Higher pressure reduces compliance, which reduces traction, which increases fatigue. It’s a chain reaction most riders know all too well.
The “Plus” Solution: 35mm internal width
The new Plus Gsl-R 35mm gravel wheelset flips that equation by going wide on purpose. With a 35mm internal bed and 41mm external width, the rim is designed to properly support modern high-volume gravel tires.
1) The U-Shape Tire Profile
A 45mm or 50mm tire sits squarer and more supported, creating a “U-shape” profile rather than a lightbulb. That larger, more stable contact patch translates into insane grip on loose corners, better tracking in ruts, and a more planted feel when the terrain turns chaotic.
2) Aerodynamics that match real gravel tires
Gravel aerodynamics aren’t just for pros—especially when headwinds hit across open farm roads. By matching rim width to tire width, Plus Wheels aims to reduce turbulence caused by mismatched shapes. In simple terms: less drag-inducing disruption, more smooth airflow, and better efficiency when you’re holding tempo for hours.
3) Safety First: the Hooked Advantage
Here’s the line in the sand. While many competitors push riders into hookless limitations, the Plus Gsl-R features a Hooked Bead. That matters because hooked rims expand compatibility and confidence: you can run more tire options, select pressures that suit your ride style, and reduce the anxiety around bead retention—especially on rough, high-impact African gravel.
As Paul, founder of Plus Wheels, puts it: “We saw what the big US brands were doing with 32mm rims and said, ‘That’s cute, but have you ridden in the Free State?’ We built a wheel for the reality of South African gravel: wider, stronger, and without the hookless headache.”
Availability and pre-orders
The Plus Gsl-RL prototypes are currently in final testing. Pre-orders will open soon for riders who want a 35mm internal gravel wheelset designed to dominate rough courses and technical backroads—without compromise.
Contact:
Paul Kambouris
Plus Wheels | Benoni, SA
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