Bike wheels have been evolving rapidly—becoming wider, faster, deeper, and lighter. Nowhere is this more evident than in the gravel cycling world. Thanks to groundbreaking innovations in carbon fiber wheel manufacturing, modern gravel wheels deliver an unmatched combination of performance and versatility, tailored to meet the diverse demands of gravel riding. From crushing fast-paced trails to handling technical terrain with precision, today’s wheels are redefining what’s possible on a drop-bar bike with big tires. It sounds like the perfect combination, doesn’t it?
If you’re like me—someone who craves speed on gravel trails, thrives on conquering technical sections, and loves the freedom of bikepacking adventures—finding a wheelset that can handle it all can feel like a challenge. Enter the Boyd Jocassee gravel wheelset. These wheels checked all the boxes as they offer a balance of strength, speed, and reliability that’s hard to match. Whether you’re chasing PRs on your favorite local single track loop that I often do or exploring uncharted paths with bags loaded with gear, the Jocassee is a wheelset built to keep up with every ride.

First Thoughts & Setup
Boyd Cycling, a small yet mighty wheel manufacturer based in Greenville, South Carolina, has carved out a reputation for creating high-quality, performance-driven wheels. My personal history with the brand goes back nearly five years, during which I’ve ridden their 44mm road clincher wheels without a single major issue. That reliability is what first drew me to Boyd, and it eventually led me to explore their offerings for gravel bikes. I needed something versatile—wheels that could handle occasional race events and bikepacking adventures without the hassle of swapping tires, wheels, or bikes.
The Jocassee: Versatility Meets Performance
What sets the Jocassee wheels apart is their thoughtful design, crafted to meet the diverse demands of gravel riding. With a 26mm internal width, these wheels provide better traction and increased stability by allowing the tire’s contact patch to cover more surface area. Whether you’re navigating loose gravel, dirt trails, or technical sections, this added stability gives you the confidence to tackle whatever lies ahead.
The spoke count further enhances performance. The Jocassee wheels feature a 24-spoke count up front and 28-spoke count in the rear, laced with Pillar Wing 20 spokes. This combination keeps the wheels lightweight while adding stiffness, so they stay resilient during rough trail sections or when you’re hammering through a gravel race.
Built for Quick Engagement
At the heart of the Jocassee wheels is Boyd’s Quest hub, which boasts 6 pawls engaging on 36 teeth to deliver an impressive 5 degrees of engagement. This rapid responsiveness is a game-changer on technical trails, during races, or whenever you need to make quick, powerful pedal strokes to maintain momentum or climb out of the saddle. Even better, the Quest hubs are designed with ease of maintenance in mind, weighing just 120 grams for the front and 250 grams for the rear.
One of the standout features of Boyd wheels is their dedication to craftsmanship. Unlike mass-produced wheelsets that are machine-built and left at that, each Jocassee wheelset is handbuilt and properly tensioned by Boyd’s skilled team in their Greenville, SC facility. This ensures not only precision but also durability, so you can trust these wheels to perform ride after ride.
How They Ride
I’ve put the Boyd Jocassee wheels through their paces over the past few months before sitting down to share my thoughts. I won’t sugarcoat it—I’m rough on my gear. Or maybe I just love riding the rough stuff. From blasting over big rocks and roots at speed to tossing my bike around on technical trails, these wheels have taken it all in stride. The fact that they’ve stayed true despite the abuse is a game-changer for me.
To get to the trails, I often ride on pavement, so I paired the Jocassee wheels with 700×47 tires. The combination felt natural—off-road, I could float effortlessly over gravel, thanks to the wide footprint and stability provided by the 26mm internal rim width. On-road, the wheels spun up quickly and held their speed with ease. Whether I was carving through berms on my local MTB trails or riding in a paceline with roadies on tarmac, the Jocassee wheels gave me confidence and delivered a smooth, fun ride.
While I haven’t had the chance to test the Jocassee wheels on a full-fledged bikepacking trip yet, I have no doubt they’d excel in that arena too. Their durability and ability to handle challenging terrain make them a solid candidate for bikepacking adventures. Tire size could be a factor, as bikepacking sometimes demands wider setups than the 700×47 I’ve been riding. That said, with the 26mm internal width, the Jocassee wheels should easily accommodate wider tires if needed.
Watch The Wheels In Action On YouTube
The Sum Up
For someone like me, who enjoys a mix of fast-paced gravel rides, technical challenges, and extended bikepacking trips, the Jocassee wheelset is the perfect balance of lightweight efficiency, rugged durability, and reliability. It’s a wheelset designed to handle it all without compromise, making it a worthy investment for any gravel and adventure cyclist.
Ridden & Written by
Dwayne Burgess

*This review was made possible through partnership with Boyd Cycling. However, this review is based on my personal opinion and experience through testing the products.
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