Updated Parcours Alta gravel wheel is wider, more aero and is made with new impact-resistant carbon
From rocky American fire roads to good old British mud-baths, the Alta can do it all, according to Parcours
- (opens in new tab)
- (opens in new tab)
- (opens in new tab)
- Sign up to our newsletter Newsletter

British wheel brand Parcours has launched a new version of its 700C Alta gravel wheelset that has a wider, hookless rim and also benefits from the aerodynamic profiling of its road wheels.
Additionally, the rim features what Parcours claims is "unique" impact technology called IMPACT+. This involves using a more flexible resin at the edge of the rim which protects it against, for example, bottoming out a low-pressure tyre. The 650B version of the Parcours Alta, which got a perfect score when we reviewed it last year (opens in new tab), is also to be updated with this tech.
The original Parcours Alta, launched in 2019, had an internal rim width of 21.5mm. The new version widens out to 24mm and is optimised for gravel tyres between 38mm and 50mm. However, says Parcours, it can be run with anything down to a 28mm road tyre up to 55mm fat rubber.
The rim is now hookless - the original Alta used a more standard hooked tubeless rim profile - in line with more modern wheels for both gravel and road.
Parcours founder Dov Tate conducted a groundbreaking aerodynamics study using marine anemometers (opens in new tab) to analyse the real-world wind conditions bike wheels were facing, and the resulting #thinkwider concept - which originally informed the design of the Parcours Strade (opens in new tab) wheelset, launched in 2020 - has been applied to the new Alta.
In terms of the actual depth of the rim, the Alta goes up from 35mm to 36mm.
The weight of the original Alta was a claimed 1,460g; the new Alta comes in at 1,500g, according to Parcours, which is still impressively lightweight considering the bulking out of the dimensions.
The hubs run on high-grade EZO cartridge bearing hubs and are fitted for 12mm thru-axles. Adaptor kits are available for other standards. A dynamo front hub (SON Delux 12) is available as an upgrade.
Parcours also has a reputation for very competitive pricing: Tate's business model allows him to take on the best gravel wheels (opens in new tab) from the big brands despite designing the wheels in house and owning the moulds. The new Alta is priced at £899/$1,199, only £50 more expensive than the 2019 version.
As part of Parcours’ Monument Range, the Alta wheelset comes with a lifetime warranty against manufacturing and workmanship defects. All Alta wheelsets ship with a tubeless kit included.
The updated Alta wheelset is available with a number of different freehub options:
* Shimano/SRAM 11-speed (also compatible with new Shimano 12-speed
* SRAM XDR
* Campagnolo 11/12-speed
* Campagnolo N3W 13-speed
Here's the full spec:
- Price: £899/$1,199
- Rim depth: 36mm
- Rim width (external): 33mm
- Rim width (internal): 24mm/hookless
- Weight: 1,500g (685g front/815g rear)
- Spokes: Sapim CX-Ray (28 front/28 rear)
- Hubs: Parcours Disc Centerlock
Check out the wheels at Parcours' website (opens in new tab) for more info.
Thank you for reading 10 articles this month* Join now for unlimited access
Enjoy your first month for just £1 / $1 / €1
*Read 5 free articles per month without a subscription
Join now for unlimited access
Try first month for just £1 / $1 / €1
Simon Smythe is Cycling Weekly's senior tech writer and has been in various roles at CW since 2003. His first job was as a sub editor following an MA in online journalism. 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.
-
-
Analysis: How Mathieu van der Poel won Milan-San Remo
After another exhilarating finish to Milan-San Remo, it’s time to look back at the day and the key tactical moments that defined it
By CyclingMole aka David Hunter • Published
-
Saved by a doping test: The pro rider treated for cancer after abnormal blood result
When his team doctor called about an abnormal test result, Torstein Træen could not believe what was happening – but it would turn out to be a potentially life-saving red flag
By Chris Marshall-Bell • Published
-
Specialized's Recon gravel shoes get an update + first ride impressions
We take a close look at the updated Specialized S-Works Recon and all-new Recon ADV shoes, put to the test by two Cycling Weekly reviewers.
By Tyler Boucher • Published
-
What's the best gravel bike tire pressure? How to balance grip and speed on varying terrain
To get the correct gravel bike tire pressure, there are a lot of factors to consider
By Paul Norman • Published
-
The all-new Specialized Diverge STR, a full suspension gravel bike
First look at the all-new Specialized Diverge STR with front and rear Future Shock suspension.
By Anne-Marije Rook • Published
-
Gravel vs Road: what’s best for cycling the length of Wales?
Tarmac or trails? What’s the best route for covering a country?
By Stefan Abram • Last updated
-
Rondo launches super slack ‘descent oriented’ MYLC gravel bike
Find yourself "underbiked" on singletrack trails – but don't want to give up on the drop bars? Rondo reckons it's got the answer for you...
By Stefan Abram • Published
-
Bikes of Unbound Gravel: what racers are riding for 8+ hours on rough gravel
Bikes of Unbound Gravel: bikes spotted before the race. What people are riding for 8+ hours on rough gravel
By Anne-Marije Rook • Last updated