DT Swiss R470 DB
The R470 DB is a purpose-built aluminum clincher rim tuned for disc-brake cyclocross use, offering a stiff, durable platform with tubeless-ready bead geometry that balances weight and longevity. It earns its spot as a market leader for delivering DT Swiss rim strength and reliable spoke-drilling standards at a mid-price point, making it a more affordable all-round choice compared with the wider, performance-oriented HED and the premium-priced Belgian-style rims. Technically it competes well with Mavic on proven construction while offering a more modern tubeless fit than many classic open clinchers.
Disc-ready stopping — ninja
Light, durable alloy
Disc-ready stopping — ninja
Light, durable alloy
Review Summary
"Users praise the DT Swiss R470 DB for its dependable, stiff construction and long-term durability suited to cyclocross and gravel use, though many note it isn’t the lightest option. Overall it’s seen as a high-quality, reliable rim that performs well under heavy use."
Stays true longer — stoic
Tubeless-ready aluminum clincher designed specifically for disc-brake wheelsets.
Stays true longer — stoic
Tubeless-ready aluminum clincher designed specifically for disc-brake wheelsets.
Recreational Enjoyment
Skill Development & Mastery
The R470 DB is a purpose-built aluminum clincher rim tuned for disc-brake cyclocross use, offering a stiff, durable platform with tubeless-ready bead geometry that balances weight and longevity. It earns its spot as a market leader for delivering DT Swiss rim strength and reliable spoke-drilling standards at a mid-price point, making it a more affordable all-round choice compared with the wider, performance-oriented HED and the premium-priced Belgian-style rims. Technically it competes well with Mavic on proven construction while offering a more modern tubeless fit than many classic open clinchers.
Disc-ready stopping — ninja
Light, durable alloy
Stays true longer — stoic
Tubeless-ready aluminum clincher designed specifically for disc-brake wheelsets.
Durable double-wall construction for reliable strength on rough cyclocross courses.
Disc-ready stopping — ninja
Light, durable alloy
Stays true longer — stoic
Tubeless-ready aluminum clincher designed specifically for disc-brake wheelsets.
Durable double-wall construction for reliable strength on rough cyclocross courses.
$350-650 CAD
Mavic Open Pro UST
The Open Pro UST marries Mavic's long-running Open Pro heritage with UST-compatible tubeless features, giving cyclocross riders a familiar, bombproof aluminum rim that works well with modern tubeless tires. It stands out for delivering excellent value and traditional rim stiffness at a competitive price compared with HED's wider race-focused section and DT Swiss's more modern tubeless tuning. Financially and technically it is attractive to riders who want proven durability and easy serviceability without paying a premium for boutique refinements.
UST-ready simplicity — retro
Snappy response
UST-ready simplicity — retro
Snappy response
Review Summary
"Riders value the Mavic Open Pro UST for its classic strength, predictable handling and tubeless-ready option, but mention it carries more weight than modern race-focused rims. It’s regarded as a durable, comfortable everyday cyclocross rim with good value."
Timeless robustness — heirloom
Mavic’s UST-compatible box-section alloy rim for straightforward tubeless setup.
Timeless robustness — heirloom
Mavic’s UST-compatible box-section alloy rim for straightforward tubeless setup.
Recreational Enjoyment
Time-Saving Convenience
Skill Development & Mastery
The Open Pro UST marries Mavic's long-running Open Pro heritage with UST-compatible tubeless features, giving cyclocross riders a familiar, bombproof aluminum rim that works well with modern tubeless tires. It stands out for delivering excellent value and traditional rim stiffness at a competitive price compared with HED's wider race-focused section and DT Swiss's more modern tubeless tuning. Financially and technically it is attractive to riders who want proven durability and easy serviceability without paying a premium for boutique refinements.
UST-ready simplicity — retro
Snappy response
Timeless robustness — heirloom
Mavic’s UST-compatible box-section alloy rim for straightforward tubeless setup.
Proven long-term durability with a traditional profile favored by cyclocross racers.
UST-ready simplicity — retro
Snappy response
Timeless robustness — heirloom
Mavic’s UST-compatible box-section alloy rim for straightforward tubeless setup.
Proven long-term durability with a traditional profile favored by cyclocross racers.
HED Belgium Plus
The Belgium Plus is a purpose-driven, performance-oriented aluminum clincher with a wider profile that improves tire support and handling for aggressive cyclocross riding, positioning it as the premium, race-focused option on this list. It commands a higher price than the DT Swiss, Mavic, and Velocity rims but delivers measurable technical advantages in tire stability and cornering predictability that serious racers will appreciate. Compared with Stan's tubeless-optimized Grail MK3, HED prioritizes section width and stiffness over marginal weight savings and sealing convenience.
Wide tire support — velvet
Confident cornering
Wide tire support — velvet
Confident cornering
Review Summary
"The HED Belgium Plus is widely praised for its wide profile that improves tire support, cornering and ride comfort, with many reporting reliable tubeless performance; the main downsides cited are its price and relatively heavier feel. Overall reviewers find it a performance-oriented, confidence-inspiring rim for CX and gravel."
Stable high-volume ride — sofa
Extra-wide aluminum profile optimised for modern wider cyclocross and gravel tires.
Stable high-volume ride — sofa
Extra-wide aluminum profile optimised for modern wider cyclocross and gravel tires.
Recreational Enjoyment
Skill Development & Mastery
The Belgium Plus is a purpose-driven, performance-oriented aluminum clincher with a wider profile that improves tire support and handling for aggressive cyclocross riding, positioning it as the premium, race-focused option on this list. It commands a higher price than the DT Swiss, Mavic, and Velocity rims but delivers measurable technical advantages in tire stability and cornering predictability that serious racers will appreciate. Compared with Stan's tubeless-optimized Grail MK3, HED prioritizes section width and stiffness over marginal weight savings and sealing convenience.
Wide tire support — velvet
Confident cornering
Stable high-volume ride — sofa
Extra-wide aluminum profile optimised for modern wider cyclocross and gravel tires.
Stiff, high-quality alloy construction that enhances cornering precision and power transfer.
Wide tire support — velvet
Confident cornering
Stable high-volume ride — sofa
Extra-wide aluminum profile optimised for modern wider cyclocross and gravel tires.
Stiff, high-quality alloy construction that enhances cornering precision and power transfer.
$900-1400 CAD
Stan's NoTubes Grail MK3
The Grail MK3 is an aluminum clincher designed around Stan's tubeless expertise, offering a bead and well shape that promotes reliable sealant performance and fast, low-pressure tire setup—ideal for cyclocross riders who prioritize tubeless reliability. It is often lighter and more tubeless-friendly than older open-clincher designs like the Velocity A23 OC and provides a more ready-to-run system than some traditional rims, while typically undercutting HED on price. Technically it shines where sealing, puncture resilience with sealant, and ease of setup matter most.
Tubeless sealing magic — hug
Featherweight agility
Tubeless sealing magic — hug
Featherweight agility
Review Summary
"Stan’s NoTubes Grail MK3 receives strong praise for easy tubeless setup, robust construction and improved tire stability—reviewers commonly highlight its durability and forgiving ride for mixed-surface racing and training. Few users report issues, so it’s considered a top choice for aluminum tubeless CX rims."
Bead-lock confidence — clamp
Stan’s tubeless-optimised rim design for fast, reliable seal and easy mounting.
Bead-lock confidence — clamp
Stan’s tubeless-optimised rim design for fast, reliable seal and easy mounting.
Recreational Enjoyment
Time-Saving Convenience
Skill Development & Mastery
The Grail MK3 is an aluminum clincher designed around Stan's tubeless expertise, offering a bead and well shape that promotes reliable sealant performance and fast, low-pressure tire setup—ideal for cyclocross riders who prioritize tubeless reliability. It is often lighter and more tubeless-friendly than older open-clincher designs like the Velocity A23 OC and provides a more ready-to-run system than some traditional rims, while typically undercutting HED on price. Technically it shines where sealing, puncture resilience with sealant, and ease of setup matter most.
Tubeless sealing magic — hug
Featherweight agility
Bead-lock confidence — clamp
Stan’s tubeless-optimised rim design for fast, reliable seal and easy mounting.
Lightweight yet robust alloy construction targeted at mixed-surface cyclocross riding.
Tubeless sealing magic — hug
Featherweight agility
Bead-lock confidence — clamp
Stan’s tubeless-optimised rim design for fast, reliable seal and easy mounting.
Lightweight yet robust alloy construction targeted at mixed-surface cyclocross riding.
$350-650 CAD
Velocity A23 OC
The A23 OC is a classic, affordable aluminum clincher that offers dependable strength and simplicity, making it a go-to for riders who want durable training or budget cyclocross wheels. It is the most cost-effective choice in this group and trades the tubeless-specific bead shapes and premium-width profiles of the Stan's, HED and DT Swiss rims for straightforward serviceability and broad availability. For riders valuing reliability and low replacement cost over marginal weight or tubeless finesse, the A23 OC is the pragmatic option.
Box-section durability — tank
Predictable handling
Box-section durability — tank
Predictable handling
Review Summary
"The Velocity A23 OC is noted for its affordability, toughness and consistent performance in cyclocross; users appreciate its value but commonly mention it’s heavier and less aero than premium rims. It’s a dependable workhorse rim favored for training and budget builds."
Low-cost reliability — smile
Affordable box-section aluminum clincher built for rugged cyclocross use and rough conditions.
Low-cost reliability — smile
Affordable box-section aluminum clincher built for rugged cyclocross use and rough conditions.
Recreational Enjoyment
Time-Saving Convenience
The A23 OC is a classic, affordable aluminum clincher that offers dependable strength and simplicity, making it a go-to for riders who want durable training or budget cyclocross wheels. It is the most cost-effective choice in this group and trades the tubeless-specific bead shapes and premium-width profiles of the Stan's, HED and DT Swiss rims for straightforward serviceability and broad availability. For riders valuing reliability and low replacement cost over marginal weight or tubeless finesse, the A23 OC is the pragmatic option.
Box-section durability — tank
Predictable handling
Low-cost reliability — smile
Affordable box-section aluminum clincher built for rugged cyclocross use and rough conditions.
Proven, simple design that’s easy to build and maintain with common spokes and nipples.
Box-section durability — tank
Predictable handling
Low-cost reliability — smile
Affordable box-section aluminum clincher built for rugged cyclocross use and rough conditions.
Proven, simple design that’s easy to build and maintain with common spokes and nipples.
$200-400 CAD