HED Belgium Plus
The HED Belgium Plus stands out as a best-in-class road aluminum clincher tubeless rim thanks to its wide internal profile and performance-oriented machining that delivers aero benefits and predictable tubeless seating. It commands a premium price but offers a measurable technical edge in rolling efficiency and stability under higher-volume road tubeless tires compared with more value-focused rims on this list. For riders prioritizing speed and race-ready stiffness, the Belgium Plus trades higher cost for optimized aero and tire support that cheaper rims like the DT Swiss R470 or Velocity A23 don’t match.
Aero shallow — cheeky wink
Featherweight sprint — grin
Aero shallow — cheeky wink
Featherweight sprint — grin
Review Summary
"Long-term users praise the HED Belgium Plus for its stiffness, predictable handling and rock-solid durability, though it feels heavy by modern standards and can require care to run tubeless reliably. It’s trusted for endurance and mixed-surface riding but not the lightest or easiest tubeless rim to set up."
Responsive cornering — Belgian nod
Tubeless-ready clincher profile for secure bead seating and low-pressure use
Responsive cornering — Belgian nod
Tubeless-ready clincher profile for secure bead seating and low-pressure use
Enhanced Physical Well-Being
Recreational Enjoyment
The HED Belgium Plus stands out as a best-in-class road aluminum clincher tubeless rim thanks to its wide internal profile and performance-oriented machining that delivers aero benefits and predictable tubeless seating. It commands a premium price but offers a measurable technical edge in rolling efficiency and stability under higher-volume road tubeless tires compared with more value-focused rims on this list. For riders prioritizing speed and race-ready stiffness, the Belgium Plus trades higher cost for optimized aero and tire support that cheaper rims like the DT Swiss R470 or Velocity A23 don’t match.
Aero shallow — cheeky wink
Featherweight sprint — grin
Responsive cornering — Belgian nod
Tubeless-ready clincher profile for secure bead seating and low-pressure use
Stiff 6061 aluminum construction tuned for responsive handling and sprinting
Aero shallow — cheeky wink
Featherweight sprint — grin
Responsive cornering — Belgian nod
Tubeless-ready clincher profile for secure bead seating and low-pressure use
Stiff 6061 aluminum construction tuned for responsive handling and sprinting
$350-500 USD
DT Swiss R470
The DT Swiss R470 is a market-oriented, reliable aluminum clincher tubeless rim that emphasizes durability and broad compatibility at a competitive price point. It doesn’t pursue the extreme aero or UST certification of higher-end models but offers excellent long-term value for training and commuter builds, making it cheaper to own and easier to replace than premium options like the HED Belgium Plus or Mavic Open Pro UST. For budget-conscious riders who still want tubeless capability without exotic profiles, the R470 balances cost, availability, and proven DT Swiss build quality.
Swiss reliability — polite wink
Everyday durability — workhorse grin
Swiss reliability — polite wink
Everyday durability — workhorse grin
Review Summary
"The DT Swiss R470 is commonly lauded as an affordable, rugged road rim that’s easy to build into dependable wheels; reviewers note it’s heavy compared with newer rims and has limited tubeless convenience. Owners appreciate its value and longevity for commuting and training wheels."
Tubeless-ready convenience — quick nod
Affordable, durable aluminum rim built for regular training and commuting
Tubeless-ready convenience — quick nod
Affordable, durable aluminum rim built for regular training and commuting
Enhanced Physical Well-Being
Time-Saving Convenience
Recreational Enjoyment
The DT Swiss R470 is a market-oriented, reliable aluminum clincher tubeless rim that emphasizes durability and broad compatibility at a competitive price point. It doesn’t pursue the extreme aero or UST certification of higher-end models but offers excellent long-term value for training and commuter builds, making it cheaper to own and easier to replace than premium options like the HED Belgium Plus or Mavic Open Pro UST. For budget-conscious riders who still want tubeless capability without exotic profiles, the R470 balances cost, availability, and proven DT Swiss build quality.
Swiss reliability — polite wink
Everyday durability — workhorse grin
Tubeless-ready convenience — quick nod
Affordable, durable aluminum rim built for regular training and commuting
Available in tubeless-compatible versions for easy conversion
Swiss reliability — polite wink
Everyday durability — workhorse grin
Tubeless-ready convenience — quick nod
Affordable, durable aluminum rim built for regular training and commuting
Available in tubeless-compatible versions for easy conversion
$120-180 USD
Mavic Open Pro UST
The Mavic Open Pro UST modernizes a classic rim profile with Mavic’s UST tubeless standard, delivering trusted ride quality and straightforward tire seating for road tubeless setups. It occupies a mid-to-high price band but differentiates itself by offering a certified tubeless experience and time-tested rim stiffness that appeals to traditionalists who want easier tubeless conversion than with generic alloy rims like the Velocity A23. Compared with the HED Belgium Plus it sacrifices some cutting-edge aero shaping for a well-rounded, historically proven balance of weight, comfort, and reliable bead fit.
UST-sealed ease — high-five
Classic strength — timeless wink
UST-sealed ease — high-five
Classic strength — timeless wink
Review Summary
"Mavic Open Pro UST earns high marks for its classic strength and true UST tubeless compatibility, delivering consistent braking and long service life, albeit with a weight penalty versus modern competitors. Riders praise its reliability and build quality for long-term use."
Smooth rolling — steady grin
Classic box-section aluminum rim updated with UST/tubeless compatibility
Smooth rolling — steady grin
Classic box-section aluminum rim updated with UST/tubeless compatibility
Time-Saving Convenience
Enhanced Physical Well-Being
The Mavic Open Pro UST modernizes a classic rim profile with Mavic’s UST tubeless standard, delivering trusted ride quality and straightforward tire seating for road tubeless setups. It occupies a mid-to-high price band but differentiates itself by offering a certified tubeless experience and time-tested rim stiffness that appeals to traditionalists who want easier tubeless conversion than with generic alloy rims like the Velocity A23. Compared with the HED Belgium Plus it sacrifices some cutting-edge aero shaping for a well-rounded, historically proven balance of weight, comfort, and reliable bead fit.
UST-sealed ease — high-five
Classic strength — timeless wink
Smooth rolling — steady grin
Classic box-section aluminum rim updated with UST/tubeless compatibility
Known for predictable ride quality and a reliable braking surface
UST-sealed ease — high-five
Classic strength — timeless wink
Smooth rolling — steady grin
Classic box-section aluminum rim updated with UST/tubeless compatibility
Known for predictable ride quality and a reliable braking surface
$180-260 USD
Velocity A23
The Velocity A23 is the budget-friendly workhorse in the road aluminum clincher tubeless category, prized for its affordability, durability, and ease of handbuilding into robust wheels for daily riding. It lacks the UST certification and wide modern internal widths of higher-end rims such as the Mavic Open Pro UST or HED Belgium Plus, but its lower purchase price and proven fatigue resistance make it a smart economical choice for training bikes or riders who prioritize cost-per-mile. In short, the A23 delivers dependable serviceability and the best cost-to-durability ratio among low-cost tubeless-capable alloy rims listed here.
Wide tyre embrace — bold wink
Light climbing pep — grin
Wide tyre embrace — bold wink
Light climbing pep — grin
Review Summary
"Velocity A23 is celebrated for a lively ride, strong braking and versatility for road and mixed use; many users successfully run tubeless but note it isn’t purpose-built for tubeless and can need additional sealing work. It’s a favorite for durable, affordable wheel builds."
Budget tubeless-ready — clever nod
Shallow 23mm profile focused on climbing and agile handling
Budget tubeless-ready — clever nod
Shallow 23mm profile focused on climbing and agile handling
Enhanced Physical Well-Being
Recreational Enjoyment
Time-Saving Convenience
The Velocity A23 is the budget-friendly workhorse in the road aluminum clincher tubeless category, prized for its affordability, durability, and ease of handbuilding into robust wheels for daily riding. It lacks the UST certification and wide modern internal widths of higher-end rims such as the Mavic Open Pro UST or HED Belgium Plus, but its lower purchase price and proven fatigue resistance make it a smart economical choice for training bikes or riders who prioritize cost-per-mile. In short, the A23 delivers dependable serviceability and the best cost-to-durability ratio among low-cost tubeless-capable alloy rims listed here.
Wide tyre embrace — bold wink
Light climbing pep — grin
Budget tubeless-ready — clever nod
Shallow 23mm profile focused on climbing and agile handling
Tubeless-ready bead and robust construction for everyday riding
Wide tyre embrace — bold wink
Light climbing pep — grin
Budget tubeless-ready — clever nod
Shallow 23mm profile focused on climbing and agile handling
Tubeless-ready bead and robust construction for everyday riding
$110-160 USD
Stan's NoTubes Grail S1
The Stan's NoTubes Grail S1 is engineered specifically for tubeless reliability, with a bead and internal profile that favors fast, repeatable sealing with sealant and easy tire seating—making it a best-in-class pick for riders who want low-maintenance tubeless performance on aluminum rims. It often costs more than bare-bones alloy rims but offers fewer flats and less hands-on maintenance than non-optimized designs like the Velocity A23 or DT Swiss R470, and its tubeless-focused engineering can rival or surpass the UST approach of the Mavic Open Pro UST for everyday sealing reliability. For road riders converting to tubeless for puncture resistance and comfort, the Grail S1 is a technically optimized, long-term value despite a higher upfront price.
Gravel traction — muddy grin
Sealant-friendly bead — Stan's wink
Gravel traction — muddy grin
Sealant-friendly bead — Stan's wink
Review Summary
"Stan's NoTubes Grail S1 is widely praised for effortless tubeless setup, excellent airtightness and a light, compliant ride that performs well on gravel and road. Long-term users report reliable durability and minimal maintenance, making it a market-leading tubeless choice."
Light trail toughness — smile
Designed specifically to improve tubeless sealing and reduce burping
Light trail toughness — smile
Designed specifically to improve tubeless sealing and reduce burping
Recreational Enjoyment
Enhanced Physical Well-Being
Skill Development & Mastery
The Stan's NoTubes Grail S1 is engineered specifically for tubeless reliability, with a bead and internal profile that favors fast, repeatable sealing with sealant and easy tire seating—making it a best-in-class pick for riders who want low-maintenance tubeless performance on aluminum rims. It often costs more than bare-bones alloy rims but offers fewer flats and less hands-on maintenance than non-optimized designs like the Velocity A23 or DT Swiss R470, and its tubeless-focused engineering can rival or surpass the UST approach of the Mavic Open Pro UST for everyday sealing reliability. For road riders converting to tubeless for puncture resistance and comfort, the Grail S1 is a technically optimized, long-term value despite a higher upfront price.
Gravel traction — muddy grin
Sealant-friendly bead — Stan's wink
Light trail toughness — smile
Designed specifically to improve tubeless sealing and reduce burping
Internal shape and bead profile balance airtightness with easy tire installation
Gravel traction — muddy grin
Sealant-friendly bead — Stan's wink
Light trail toughness — smile
Designed specifically to improve tubeless sealing and reduce burping
Internal shape and bead profile balance airtightness with easy tire installation
$220-320 USD