WTB have released a new line of wheelsets dubbed Proterra, which covers everything from Gravel to Enduro in terms of duty. The wheels are hand built at WTB’s facility at the base of Mt. Tam in Marin County and are aimed at providing an excellent value. Coming in at under $650.00, Proterra wheels use high quality Sapim spokes and nipples, and are available in both wheel sizes. At the moment the wheels are available only through WTB’s website, but over time they will eventually be available through retailers. Read on for the full press release from WTB…
[Press Release] – MILL VALLEY, CALIFORNIA – January 27, 2021 – WTB now offers complete wheels at an affordable price! Proterra mountain and gravel wheels are available individually or as a $649.90 wheelset that performs well above its pay grade. Every Proterra hub uses high-quality bearings and a responsive six-pawl freehub design with 3.7 degrees of engagement to deliver the performance you expect of a high-end wheelset without the high-end price tag. Eliminating the frustrations that come with proprietary parts, Proterra wheels combine the simplicity of double butted J-bend spokes with the dependability of Sapim secure lock nipples. Even maintenance should be a positive experience, which is why all Proterra hubs are easily serviced without the need for fancy tools.
Proterra rims are extruded from WTB’s premier 6069 aluminum alloy to optimize strength while a bead blast finish and durable water-transfer decals keep your wheels looking fresh. All of this ensures WTB Proterra wheels provide the compliance you expect on the first ride and the longevity you demand for every ride that follows.
Is Proterra Light or Proterra Tough right for you? Proterra Light wheels in gravel-ready 23 and 25mm widths check all the boxes of a fast and light alloy wheelset while the trail-focused 27mm width is optimal for trail bikes with 2.25-2.5” tires. Proterra Tough wheels feature a wider 30mm internal rim width to maximize tire volume while increasing sidewall support at lower pressures. Proterra Tough is the perfect replacement wheelset for those who want peace of mind while bashing their way down rowdy trails as everything else blurs by in the periphery.
Every Proterra wheel benefits from our TCS (Tubeless Compatible System) 2.0 system and ships with the Solid Strip, TCS tubeless tape and black alloy valves already installed. This means all Proterra wheels are ready for tubeless tires and sealant right out of the box. The integral component of our TCS 2.0 system is the Solid Strip, which is a durable strip that lies beneath the tape, prevents it from sagging at the spoke holes, makes it easier to mount a tire and protects from puncture in the case of a broken spoke. In the end, WTB’s innovative Solid Strip results in a more robust tubeless system that increases reliability and is easier to set up.
Proterra wheels are hand-built in our California wheel building facility at the base of Mount Tamalpais, where mountain biking began. Our team of wheel wizards lace, tension and tape every Proterra with the same attention to detail they provide their own wheels. This hands-on approach allows us to confidently stand behind our wheels as the most reliable on the market.
We believe you shouldn’t have to smash your piggy bank in order to ride dependable products, which is why every Proterra front wheel is available at WTB.com for $294.95 while each rear wheel is $354.95. We will expand the line to our distributor/retailer network in time but limiting Proterra to WTB.com at the start will allow us to optimize and adapt the systems we’ve developed at our new wheel building facility.
