Zipp’s 101 XPLR 650b wheelset is the US brand’s first purpose-built gravel offering. And in typical Zipp fashion, it hits the trail with enough innovation to stand out in what is fast becoming a crowded field.

The one-word roundup for the XPLR (‘explore’) wheelset is that it flexes - in a good way. And it does that at the rims, where Zipp’s single-wall Moto Technology delivers headline-grabbing “ankle compliance”. To understand that, think about what happens when you run around a corner. You don’t run on the side of your foot. Instead, you keep your feet planted to the floor by flexing, or more accurately, leaning on your ankle. And the beauty of it is, you do it without even thinking. Zipp’s Moto Tech does the same by allowing the XPLR’s rims to flex when you’re railing a corner, which helps to keep your tires running on their grippy parts and not on their sides. In other words, you get a little bit of extra grip and suspension each time you turn. And that flex has other advantages, too, like simpler tire installs, a lower chance of pinch flats, and the ability to run lower tire pressures.

Other details to note include the addition of Zipp’s durable and agile ZR1 hubset, tubeless-only tire compatibility, and a number of configuration options, including 650b or 700c sizing and Standard and Kwiqsand colors. This model is the 650b, but you can find the 700 right here.