Home > News > First Look: NTP G30-50-HB 32-Inch Gravel Racing Rim
Sep.2026 04
Views: 64
First Look: NTP G30-50-HB 32-Inch Gravel Racing Rim
Introduction
32-inch wheels are emerging as one of the most interesting developments in gravel and off-road cycling. NTP was an early adopter of the 29-inch wheel trend in the 2010s. Now, we are bringing that experience to the next generation of big-wheel cycling with our new G30-50-HB, an open-mold 32-inch gravel racing rim.
Details
TL;DR
The G30-50-HB is a 50 mm deep, aero-oriented 32-inch gravel rim designed for high-speed riding and racing. It combines a 30 mm internal width, wide 7 mm rim beads, and Hollow-Bead technology to create a wide, protective rim platform without excessive weight.
With a nominal weight of approximately 520g, the rim is designed to deliver a balance of aerodynamics, tire support, durability, and weight for 32-inch gravel wheel builds.
G30-50-HB: Key Features Explained
The G30-50-HB was co-designed with a gravel frameset client and developed with tall riders and gravel racing in mind. Its design philosophy follows our 700c gravel racing rims, with specific optimizations for the larger 32-inch wheel format. Let's take a closer look.
Feature 1: A wide platform, inside and out
The G30-50-HB features a 30 mm internal width, providing a stable platform for the wider tires used with 32-inch gravel setups.
Based on current ETRTO recommendations, this inner width accommodates a broad range of tire sizes. Many 32-inch gravel and MTB tires currently available or under development fall around 50–60C, making the 30 mm internal width well suited to this emerging category.
A larger wheel combined with a wide, low-pressure tire can deliver a smooth and controlled ride. However, lower tire pressures also increase the importance of rim bead design and tire support. To address this, the G30-50-HB uses our widest rim beads at 7 mm, with a smooth edge designed to provide additional protection against pinch flats and impact-related tire damage.
The rim reaches approximately 44 mm at its widest point, creating a broad and stable structure that also helps compensate for the reduced lateral stiffness that can occur with a larger wheel diameter.
Feature 2: 50 mm deep for high-speed gravel
The G30-50-HB is designed for riders who want to carry speed over long gravel races and fast mixed-surface courses. Its 50 mm rim depth provides an aerodynamic advantage over shallower profiles while maintaining a practical shape for gravel applications.
The rim's widest point is positioned below the rim bead rather than at the outermost bead area. This creates a more aerodynamic profile while maintaining the wide tire interface required by modern gravel tires.
For wheel brands developing performance-oriented 32-inch gravel wheels, the result is a rim platform designed around the combination of large-diameter wheels, wide tires, and aerodynamic performance.
Feature 3: Hollow beads for a better weight-to-strength ratio
Wide rim beads traditionally add material — and therefore weight — to a carbon rim. For the G30-50-HB, we wanted to maintain the benefits of a wide bead without allowing the additional material to push the rim weight too high.
We therefore developed our Hollow-Bead technology, using customized air bladders and an optimized carbon layup to create a lighter bead structure.
Through several rounds of development, we reduced the rim weight from approximately 580 g to around 509 g, representing roughly a 12% reduction. The resulting production specification is approximately 520 g, with a ±15 g weight tolerance, while meeting our 100 J impact requirement for the standard version.
What Can Wheel Brands Customize?
An open-mold rim does not mean a one-size-fits-all product.
The G30-50-HB provides a proven platform while allowing wheel brands to customize several aspects of the product according to their target market and wheel configuration.
1. Rim weight versions
The standard G30-50-HB weighs approximately 520 g, with a tolerance of ±15 g. The standard version is designed around a 100 J impact requirement. Depending on your target riders and intended application, we can also evaluate lighter or heavier versions.
Share your target weight, rider weight limit, intended use, and testing requirements with our engineers, and we can assess the technical feasibility of your configuration.
The tire interface is formed using sliding blocks within the mold, which means certain rim features can be modified without developing an entirely new mold.
For example, depending on your requirements, we can evaluate changes to:
inner width
rim bead geometry
hooked or hookless configuration
rim bed design
These modifications require additional tooling and manufacturing work, but they provide more flexibility for brands developing their own product specifications around an open-mold platform.
3. Spoke & hub compatibility
A wheel is a system, so spoke and hub compatibility needs to be considered from the beginning.
The 32-inch rim can be configured for different spoke and hub combinations, including:
steel spokes
carbon spokes
rope spokes
Based on your preferred hub and spoke configuration, we can adjust the drilling program and evaluate the appropriate carbon layup for your wheel project.
4. Rim finish & appearance
The standard rim uses a paint-free finish, preserving the natural carbon surface without applying an additional glossy or matte coating. This helps reduce unnecessary weight and provides a clean carbon appearance.
Brands can choose between different surface appearances, including shiny and matt paint-free finishes, or discuss painted finishes and other visual effects for a more distinctive product.
The outer carbon appearance can also be customized. We use UD carbon as the standard choice for an efficient strength-to-weight ratio, while options such as 3K, 6K, 12K, and marble carbon patterns can be considered when visual differentiation is a priority.
Build Your 32-Inch Gravel Wheel With NTP
For wheel brands exploring the emerging 32-inch gravel market, an open-mold platform can provide a faster and more practical starting point than developing a completely new rim from scratch.
With the G30-50-HB, brands can start with a proven 32-inch carbon rim platform and customize the product around their own target specifications.
We can support projects from rim supply to complete wheel development, including:
carbon rim selection
rim customization
hub & spoke matching
wheel assembly
product testing & validation
private labeling
packaging
complete wheel fulfillment
Start with samples or a small batch
Getting started is straightforward. Send us the following information:
Rim model and target specifications — including your preferred weight version
Hubs, spokes, and nipples — we can also recommend compatible components
Branding and packaging requirements
Quantity and inventory requirements
For wheel brands that want to evaluate the rim before committing to production, we can provide sample rims or complete wheels for testing.
Interested in the G30-50-HB 32-inch gravel rim, or planning your own 32-inch private-mold project? Contact NTP via email, WhatsApp, or our website. Our team will get back to you within one business day.
