By Jack Evans

Published: Tuesday, 20 September 2022 at 12:00 am

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Corima has released the Essentia 40, a lightweight carbon wheelset designed for riding fast on tarmac and gravel.

The French company says the Corima Essentia 40 bridges the gap between its MCC DX road racing wheels and its gravel-specific G30.5 hoops.

The hookless tubeless wheelset has a claimed rim depth of 40mm and weight of 1,600g per pair.

This is comparable to the depth and weight of the existing models. The tubeless, 47mm-deep version of the MCC DX road bike wheel weighs a claimed 1,550g, while the G30.5 is also said to weigh 1,550g with 30.5mm-deep rims.

The Corima Essentia 40 carbon wheelset has been developed in concert with gravel racers and Corima-sponsored WorldTour teams, according to the brand.

Corima says the Essentia 40 is hand-built in France and has an internal width of 28mm. It is quoted as being compatible with 28mm road bike tyres and gravel tyres up to 50mm wide.

The brand claims the wheels’ resin and carbon fibre blend, and spoke lacing transfer power efficiently without compromising comfort on rough terrain.

The wheelset employs 3K carbon fibre, with a distinctive visible weave present rather than the unidirectional or layered approaches often taken by carbon wheelset manufacturers.

It also says the spokes’ R2 lacing system and external nipples are stiff and reliable, but repairable on the roadside in the event of a mechanical failure.

Corima

For the hubs, Corima has switched from the DT Swiss 240s it has often used on other performance wheelsets in its range, to its own proprietary design.

The brand claims the new freehub ratchet design is durable enough to withstand the higher levels of torque gravel riding exerts.

The system has 36 teeth and oversized bearings, and its 10-degree angle of engagement is said to optimise power distribution.

The new wheelset is available to buy from 22 September for €1,390 / $1,590 direct from Corima and its distributors.