Rider Profile
Name : Markus
Information : 39 years old, 186cm, 76kg
Origin : Finland
Riding Type : I ride about 20,000km a year on my gravel and road bike. I sometimes race in local time trials and like to chase Strava KOMs.
Specifications
Bike
Frame : Ican X-Gravel 2
Groupset : Ultegra 8170
Cranks : Rotor Aldhu
Wheels
Rims : Light Bicycle WG44 Disc Standard Hybrid Hook UD Paintless Disc 24H No Access Holes
Hubs : DT Swiss 240EXP
Spokes : Sapim CX Sprint-Rear drive side/ CX-Ray
Nipples : Sapim Brass Black
Tires : Pathfinder Pro 47mm
Why Light Bicycle and the WG44 Disc
I've been riding road bikes for years and finally decided to build a gravel bike. I chose the Ican X-Gravel 2 as my frame. I built it with a mix of Ultegra / GRX 11s parts that I later upgraded to Ultegra 8170. I bought used aluminum wheels. They worked ok, but the wheels were pretty narrow for 47mm Pathfinder Pro tires, with just a 20mm internal width.
Having had great experiences with Light Bicycle before, I decided to check out their gravel wheels: the WG44 seemed like the perfect option for me. Their team helped me spec the wheels tailored to my riding style. I ride all year round and plan to do some bikepacking, so I wanted something durable and care-free.
I went with DT Swiss 240EXP hubs, brass nipples, and 24/28 spokes. I sometimes carry heavy loads on my bike, so I chose 28 spokes on the rear wheel to make it more durable and increase lateral stiffness. I chose DT Swiss hubs as they tend to be bulletproof, and as a bonus, they match my bike's color really well. Also, spare parts for them are available everywhere.
First Impressions: Unboxing and Effortless Setup
The package arrived conveniently at my door. Everything was well packaged, came with all the documents, and a user manual that included everything I needed to know about the wheels. The wheels were true, and the freehub was well greased.
Setting up my Pathfinder Pro 47mm tubeless tires was really easy, as I chose to have no access holes for spokes, so no tubeless tape was needed. I managed to seat the tires with just my floor pump. The tires measured exactly 50mm wide, 5mm wider than on my old rims. I suddenly had more air volume, less weight, I could run at much lower pressures, and the wheels were much more aero. So I would be faster and more comfortable, which sounded great!
Proven Performance: A Year-Round Excellence
I've been riding the wheels all year round. Temperatures ranging from -20C to +35C, in all kinds of terrains, and they have been perfect. I've even ridden them on pretty technical single tracks a few times. They really transformed how my bike feels to ride. The wider inner width gives me confidence on loose surfaces as the tire is more stable even on low pressures.
On windy days, they perform well too. The wide U-shaped profile helps with crosswinds. You get a strong push from the wind, but those sharp, sudden pulls are missing that you used to get from narrow V-shaped rims. And sometimes, when the wind hits them just right, you get a nice howling sound from the front wheel.
In the winter, I use 45mm Gravdal winter tires with spikes, also setup tubeless. With the wide platform, the wheels give me much more confidence riding in icy conditions. If you've ever tried to ride on ice while your feet are locked into the pedals, you know it can be pretty scary and takes some time to get used to it. Also, in the winter, there's a lot of road salt here, so being able to choose brass nipples was great.
Overall, I'm very pleased with the WG44 Disc wheels. The quality is very high, the price is reasonable, the purchasing process with Light Bicycle is easy, and they're happy to help you pick the right wheels and parts for your bike.
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October 28th, 2025 | Light Bicycle
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