HED Cycling (United States) - Press Release: Vanquish. Some said we'd never do it. Some said we couldn't do it. Some said we didn't need to... but then we went and did it.

While many other manufacturers rushed into making full-carbon clinchers, we prefer a much more calculated approach. We don't use a material (carbon or aluminum) just to use it. We use the material that is the best application for the product, in order to make the fastest, safest, most reliable product - while also being the best possible value for your dollar. To date, our Jet Plus and Jet Black clincher wheels are more aerodynamic, more comfortable, safer - and in many cases - lighter weight than competitors' full-carbon clinchers. Because of this, they’ve stayed as the top clincher wheel choice from our product line. Jets go back over 25 years, and have continuously evolved as we learn more.

That said, we've quietly spent years and countless hours testing rims, tires, tubes, different types of carbon and resin - all on a quest for a carbon clincher that could beat the Jet. Our intent was clear from the beginning of the project: If we couldn’t make a carbon clincher that performed better than the Jet, we wouldn't bring it to market. It would need to stronger, faster, and lighter. On top of that, it had to be the safest wheel possible, since poorly-made carbon clincher rims can be subject to melting and tire blowouts.

Our proprietary Vanquish rims are made in our own Minnesota factory, and undergo an insane level of quality control. The shape is all-new, with a huge 30mm external width (21mm internal width). This results in superb aerodynamic performance with 23-28mm tires. If gravel and endurance riding are your thing, the Vanquish will optimize the shape, ride quality, and even aerodynamics of your wide gravel and cyclocross tires.

Vanquish disc:

The Vanquish disc is the fastest wheel we have ever created, with drag number that dipped below -300g. It’s all carbon rim construction makes it lighter, stronger and faster than the competition. The 30mm external/21mm internal width and tubeless ready tire bed has a hybrid spoked/carbon design. This translates to a stiff and efficient combination so no power is wasted. The V Disc also has excellent aero performance over a range of tire widths - measuring similar drag with tires ranging from 23-28mm labeled width. Run a tire that gives you grip, comfort and best rolling resistance for the road conditions.

Please note that the Vanquish is available in a disc brake model ONLY. Why, you ask?  Two reasons: 1) Carbon rims do not cool as efficiently as alloy rims. The extreme heating and cooling cycles of an all-carbon rim brake clincher rim compromises the structural integrity of the inner tube and can cause a tire casing to soften or even melt – a clear safety risk. 2) Removing the rim brake from the equation allowed us to make a new rim profile that simply wouldn’t fit inside of a rim brake. It’s a true disc-brake-specific rim, unencumbered by rim brake constraints.

The Vanquish comes stock with either 12mm or 15mm thru axles front and 12mm rear. We also have a conversion available for standard quick release skewers.