British brand Parcours has launched a new wheelset that’s light enough for climbing on smooth tarmac but tough enough for gravel riding – and it has the aerodynamic rim profile that Dov Tate, an Oxford engineering graduate, wind tunnel-tested in North Carolina when he founded Parcours in 2016.
With a wide 21.5mm internal rim width and tubeless-ready the Alta is, according to Parcours, a great option for those seeking performance gains as much as it is for those seeking a responsive and stable ride.
Front and rear are built with 28 spokes for robustness, and since the disc-specific Alta is free from the constraints of a rim-brake caliper, the wide rim is ideal for a large-volume do-it-all tyre.
Precision-machined alloy hubs are fitted with high-grade EZO cartridge bearings and use a Centerlock disc fitment. The hubs take 12mm thru-axles front and rear with separate adapter kits available for other common axle standards.
The Alta will also be available with a dynamo hub for longer adventures.
Tate said: “With gravel and adventure riding continuing to increase in popularity, we wanted to cater for the rider who wants a ‘one wheel’ setup to take them everywhere. The new Alta wheelset will never be the limiting factor for your next ride, wherever that may take you.”
Chris Herbert's Parcours Alta-equipped Transcontinental bike on the Alta Via in the Dolomites
Ultra-cyclist Chris Herbert was one of the first to put the Parcours Alta through its paces, riding it to 22nd place in the 4,000km Transcontinental Race in August.
Herbert said: “I need a wheelset that’s fast on the road, but rugged enough to take anywhere when I head off the beaten track. Despite being all purpose, the Parcours Alta wheelset performs comparably to my old race wheels on the road – they actually feel faster, particularly when climbing, and can take far more abuse than I’ll ever manage to dish out.”
The Parcours Alta is priced at £849 with the dynamo hub option costing an extra £200.
For more information visit www.parcours.cc or find the team on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
Simon Smythe is a hugely experienced cycling tech writer, who has been writing for Cycling Weekly since 2003. Until recently he was our senior tech writer. In his cycling career Simon has mostly focused on time trialling with a national medal, a few open wins and his club's 30-mile record in his palmares. These days he spends most of his time testing road bikes, or on a tandem doing the school run with his younger son.
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