The Fastest Gravel Wheels in the World
Super Aerodynamic with Vibration-Damping Spokes
The Sparrow50 Gold is 14% more aerodynamic than our previous-generation Sparrow, with the same vibration damping no aero rival can match — a combination that, in our finish-time modeling, pulls ahead of wheels like ENVE and Zipp as the gravel turns rough.
Gold Medal Winning Spokes
With two Olympic Gold Medals, two Olympic Bronze Medals, and over 50 XC World Cup podiums in the last 2 seasons, Berd spokes are the winningest XC MTB spokes in the world. Lightweight, strong, vibration damping. "If you're not riding Berd spokes for mountain biking, you're at a disadvantage."†
Wind Tunnel Tested +
The Sparrow50 Gold feature a 50 mm deep aerodynamic profile that make these our fastest wheels through the wind we have ever created.
Features
The Sparrow50 Gold wheels were designed from the ground up to be fast on gravel. We combined aerodynamic and vibration-damping test data to model finish times using the data from our engineering white paper. The model accounts for aerodynamic drag, rolling resistance, and the vibration-induced losses that Berd spokes uniquely reduce. Results are intended for comparative purposes only — the calculator uses simplified assumptions for rider aerodynamics and does not account for elevation, drafting, or variable pacing.
Finish time vs. Sparrow50 Gold
Surface categories: Smooth pavement is clean tarmac with negligible vibration losses. Cat 1 (Hard Packed) is hard-packed fire roads and smooth dirt. Cat 2 (Common Gravel) is typical mixed-surface gravel with moderate roughness. Cat 3 (Chunky / Rough) is chunky, loose, or washboard surfaces where vibration losses dominate.
Rims
| Rim Material | Carbon Fiber |
|---|---|
| Internal Rim Width | 30 mm |
| Rim Depth | 50 mm |
| External Rim Width | 38 mm |
| Tubeless Compatibility | Yes |
| Wheel Size | 700c (29″; 622 mm Bead Seat Diameter) |
| Rim ERD | 541 mm |
| Rim Weight | 420 grams |
| Angle Matched Spoke Holes | Yes |
| Hole Count | 24 Holes Front and Rear |
| Brake Compatibility | Disc (Centerlock) |
Hubs
| Front Hub Type | Berd Talon ESL-R |
|---|---|
| Front Hub Dimensions | 12 x 100 mm or 12 x 110 mm (both convertible to 15 mm) |
| Rear Hub Type | Berd Talon ESL-R |
| Rear Hub Dimensions | 12 x 142 mm or 12 x 148 mm |
| Freehub Compatibility | SRAM XD, Shimano Microspline, Shimano Hyperglide, or Campy N3W |
| Freehub Material | TriCoat™ Aluminum |
| Freehub Mechanism | High Engagement 36 Tooth Ratchet |
| Hub Manufacturer | Berd |
| Brake Type | Centerlock |
| Front Hub Bearings | 2 x 6803 bearings (17 x 26 x 5 mm) |
| Rear Hub Bearings | 2 x 15267 bearings (15 x 26 x 7 mm), 2 x 6802 bearings (15 x 24 x 5 mm) |
Spokes & Nipples
| Add a Berd Service Kit to your new Berd wheel order and receive all of the tools and supplies needed to service your wheels — including spare spokes! | |
| Front Spokes | Berd PolyLight Spokes, 259 mm |
|---|---|
| Rear Spokes | Berd PolyLight Spokes, 259 mm |
| Lacing Pattern | Two-Cross Front and Rear |
| Nipples | Sapim Aluminum Double Square Secure Lock, Black |
Tire Info
| Tubeless Ready | Rim Tape and Valves Installed |
|---|---|
| Tire Type | Tubeless, Tube Type Clincher |
| Tire Compatibility | 40 mm – 60 mm (1.50″ to 2.35″) |
| Actual Measured Tire Widths | Schwalbe G-One RS Pro 700 x 45 mm: 45.6 mm Schwalbe G-One RS Pro 700 x 50 mm: 50.9 mm Schwalbe G-One RS Pro 700 x 55 mm: 55.7 mm Continental Dubnital Rapid Race 29 x 2.2: 55.3 mm |
| Maximum Tire Pressure | 60 psi (4.14 bar) |
Weight
| Wheelset Weight | 1,298 grams (without rim tape and valves) |
|---|---|
| Front Wheel Weight | 600 grams (without rim tape and valves) |
| Rear Wheel Weight | 698 grams (without rim tape and valves) |
General
| Intended Use | Gravel Racing and Riding |
|---|---|
| E-Bike Approved | Yes, up to 60 Nm/500 W |
| Weight Limit | 280 lbs / 127 kg |
| Assembly Method | Hand Laced in Hopkins, MN, Trued by TRUDI |
| Warranty | Limited Lifetime Warranty and Free Crash Replacement |
In addition to our stock offering with the Berd Talon ESL-R hub, Sparrow50 Gold wheels can also be built with Industry Nine J-Bend or Onyx Vesper and Classic Hook Flange hubs in any of the standard colors and configurations offered by Industry Nine and Onyx. Custom hub orders take 4–6 weeks for delivery, so if you need wheels right away, go with the stock Talon ESL-R hub option instead.
Industry Nine Hubs
Industry Nine J-Bend hubs are available in both Hydra2 and Solix models across a wide range of standard Industry Nine colors. Options include road and mountain bike hub geometries, Centerlock and 6-Bolt disc brake interfaces, and compatibility with SRAM XD, Shimano Microspline, and Shimano Hyperglide freehub bodies. Please note that Industry Nine Superboost hubs are only available with 6-Bolt rotors. After ordering, you will receive an email to select your hub color, hub widths, and freehub body type. Please allow 4–6 weeks for delivery.
Onyx Racing Products Hubs
All Berd wheels are also available with Onyx Racing Products Vesper and Classic Hook Flange hubs, designed specifically for Berd spokes. These hubs feature hooks on the hub shell that secure Berd spokes without the traditional J-bend rod, resulting in a durable connection with a clean look. Onyx hubs feature a completely silent sprag clutch freehub mechanism for instant power transfer and more control. Available in Centerlock only, in all road and mountain bike geometries including Non-Boost (including SingleSpeed), Boost, and SuperBoost. Front hub spacing options include 12x100 mm, 15x100 mm, QR x 100 mm (road) and 15x110 mm (MTB). Rear hub spacing options include 12x142 mm, QR x 135 mm (road) and 12x148 mm, 12x157 mm, 12x142 mm SingleSpeed (MTB). Available in all standard Onyx anodized and powder coated finishes. After ordering, you will receive an email to select your hub color, hub widths, and freehub body type. Please allow 4–6 weeks for delivery.
Hub Maintenance (Talon ESL-R Hubs)
| Freehub Maintenance | Greasing the internal ratchet mechanism is recommended every 3,000 km for optimal performance. To service the freehub, remove the end cap and slide the freehub body off the hub shell. Remove all internal components in order: the purple washer nearest the freehub body, the ratchet springs, the ratchet plates, the purple washer nearest the hub body, and the freehub axle bushing. Clean all parts thoroughly with a solvent-based degreaser, allow them to dry completely, then apply a thin layer of DuMond Pro X Freehub Grease to all contact surfaces. Reassemble the hub, ensuring all parts are placed in the correct orientation as shown below. |
|---|---|
| Bearing Maintenance | Inspect the bearings every 3,000 km for smooth rotation and any roughness or play. Bearing service should be performed by a qualified bicycle mechanic using proper extraction tools and a bearing press designed for this purpose. Do not attempt to remove or install bearings with improvised tools, as this can damage the hub shell or the bearing seats. |
Spoke Maintenance
| Spoke Tension | Sparrow50 Gold wheels are built at the Berd factory using our Berd Wheel Stress Relief Machine, which removes significantly more stretch from the spokes than a traditional tensioning process. As a result, these wheels are highly stable and will most likely never need to be retensioned. If you do notice minor tension changes after extended use, each nipple can be turned up to 2 full turns from the tire side using the Berd spoke holding tool to prevent twisting, followed by minor truing and dish adjustments. |
|---|
Cleaning and Cosmetics
| Wheel Cleaning | The best way to clean your hubs, rims, and Berd spokes is with mild dish soap and water — we highly recommend Dawn. A gentle wash will remove dirt and trail grime and will restore white spokes to a near-new appearance. Note that dark-colored grease (such as hub or chain grease) can permanently stain white spokes and is very difficult to remove once absorbed, even with solvents. While Berd spokes are highly resistant to most solvents, we do not recommend solvent-based cleaners because they offer no benefit over soap and water for routine cleaning. Watch: How to Clean Berd Wheels |
|---|---|
| Spoke Color Maintenance | Berd spokes are naturally white. Black spokes and other colors are achieved with an alcohol-based coating. While the coating is durable, spoke coloring will gradually become more matte over time with normal use. Citrus-based enzyme cleaners and other non-soap cleaners have been shown to partially strip this coating and should be avoided — use only soap and water. Black spoke coloring can be refreshed at any time with a Berd Spoke Coloring Kit to restore the full dark finish. |
† Based on both the highest number of Olympic gold medals and the highest percentage of UCI World Cup cross country wins achieved by any spoke brand during the 2024 and 2025 seasons.
Berd stands for Bike + Nerd, because that's exactly who we are. We use real engineering, real testing, and real data to build the best bicycle wheels in the world. BE A BIKE NERD.
