Wheel suggestions for gravel bike that takes abuse?

[Brett L.]

I recently bought a new gravel bike with 12x142mm thru axle wheels that I have been having a lot of fun with but haven’t exactly been kind to. They really mean single track when they say gravel, right? After less than 2 months of use, the back wheel is in the shop needing some attention. There is SIGNIFICANT lateral play in the wheel (wobble) originating from the hub. My uneducated opinion is that the bearings are already shot, and the LBS has warned that the free hub body could be as well. That’s to be determined, and if so warrants a full new wheel. It would not surprise me as I have already destroyed the rear free hub of my road bike in 14 months of use, and that bike was babied in comparison to this bike.

I have two questions:

1) given the extra diameter of a thru axle compared to quick releases, does that mean that the bearings holding it in place are smaller, and consequently more prone to wear (less reliable)?

2) if I have to replace the wheel, what would you recommend? The road bike got outfitted with a built-up wheel with DT Swiss 350 hub. Current wheel is running 700*38 Schwalbe Marathon Almotion tyres set up tubeless. Reliability/durability is most important to me, with weight as a secondary (but not negligible) consideration.

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[BobCochran]

Good luck, Brett! It would be nice to see some photos of your damaged freehub and the new freehub and rim.

Bob

[Greenbelt]

Whichever wheel you build, important to have inner tube-based back sling for transport
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[Author]

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