I’ve worked with Tune components since the early ’90s, mostly on mountain bike builds, and over the years I’ve always had an appreciation for what they were trying to do. The parts were light, a little different, and clearly coming from a place that cared about the details. But they also required attention. The hubs in particular could be a bit finicky, and as we’ve grown Above Category and started sending bikes all over the world, we’ve become more selective about what we put on a build. In most cases, we want parts that don’t require ongoing adjustment or a deep level of mechanical prowess to keep running properly.
The Tune Yokto
So when Matthias from Lightweight came by a few months ago, I was expecting to see new Lightweight wheels. Instead, he pulled out a set from Tune. I had honestly forgotten that Lightweight had acquired Tune back in 2023. These wheels, the Yokto 45/50, the 30/30, and the new Nano gravel wheels, are some of the first real products to come out of that new structure.
My initial reaction was that they looked good, but I wasn’t particularly interested in bringing them in. That hesitation was based entirely on past experience. The conversation changed once we started digging into the hubs. The claim was that the issues Tune had been known for were no longer part of the equation. I told him I’d need to ride them for a while before making any decision.
Once I had them in hand, it became clear that the hubs were where most of the work had been done. They’re machined (in-house in the Black Forest area of Germany) from a higher-grade aluminum and built to much tighter tolerances than what we typically see. The result is that they don't require pre-load adjustment, like the majority of the other high performance hubs. They’re designed to stay in adjustment, which sounds simple but is actually very difficult to execute consistently. It requires precision across the entire system, not just one part of it.
The rims are designed by Tune in Germany and produced overseas, and they’re well sorted. Nothing exaggerated, just clean shapes that make sense. They’re also using lightweight Sapim spokes, but what stood out to me was how they’re handling the spoke crossings. Back in the day, some builders would “tie and solder” spokes, essentially binding them together at the crossings with wire and solder to reduce independent movement and add a bit of stiffness. It was a small detail, but it worked. Tune has taken a more modern approach by using a carbon filament to bind the crossings. It’s subtle, you have to look for it, but it’s intentional and speaks to how they’re thinking about the wheel as a complete system.
I rode the Yokto 45/50 for just under 1,000 miles, mostly in less than ideal conditions. Early season here usually means rain, debris, and generally rough roads, so it wasn’t a curated test. I started out running 32mm Challenge Strada clinchers with latex tubes, and the wheels felt incredible right from the gun. On the second ride I ended up slicing a tire on some storm debris, so I switched over to tubeless with the same 32mm Challenge Strada and kept riding.
What stood out most was how composed they felt across different situations. Climbing they felt stiff and light under acceleration. Descending, especially in wet and windy conditions, they tracked well and didn’t get pushed around as much as some wheels in this depth range. My buddy and for too short of a duration training partner, Craig Upton and I were also doing a fair amount of sprint work early in the season, and they held their line without feeling vague or delayed when you put power down. They never felt fragile, which is often the tradeoff when something is this light.
In terms of where they sit, they’re in the same conversation as something like the ENVE SES 4.5 Pro. We’ve spent a lot of time on that wheel and think highly of them. The Tune Yokto 45/50 comes in a bit lighter, a bit less expensive, and far less common. They’re also built with a hooked bead (as are the 4.5 Pros), which gives more flexibility in how you set them up. You can run a high-quality clincher with latex tubes or go tubeless, and both options make sense depending on what you’re trying to do.
We weren’t actively looking to bring in another wheel line, but this one earned a spot. The updated hub design addressed the biggest hesitation we’ve had with Tune in the past, and after spending real time on the wheels, the performance backed it up. We’re now carrying the Yokto 45/50, the 30/30, and the new Nano gravel wheels (which are launching today), and we’ll be the exclusive Tune dealer for the San Francisco North Bay.
*YOU CANNOT USE MORE THAN 1:1 GEARING ON THE YOKTO WHEELS
The Tune Nano
They didn’t tell me about the Nano Gravel Wheels at first.
I had already been riding the Yokto road wheels for a bit when Tune and Lightweight pulled together a call with Matthias, the new CEO of Lightweight, and one of the lead engineers from Tune. The plan was to walk through the Yoktos in more detail, answer questions, and get into some of the decisions behind the design. That’s also where we learned about some of the constraints of that system, like keeping gearing at or below a 1:1 ratio.
Toward the end of the conversation, they shifted gears and mentioned they were about to launch a gravel wheel. The Nano. They asked if we’d be interested in testing it, giving feedback, and acting as a launch partner.
That’s usually where things get interesting.
The Nano takes a different approach than the Yokto. It uses a burlier hub platform, which allows for any gear combinations. It also moves away from the carbon filament tying at the spoke crossings. Instead, it uses a slightly heavier Sapim spoke and a more traditional build. It’s clearly designed with a different kind of riding in mind, where durability and consistency take priority over chasing the last few grams.
They walked us through some early data on the call, then sent a set out. As far as I know, these were the first to land in the U.S.
Out of the box, they don’t have the same immediate “exotic” look as the Yoktos. They’re a bit more understated. The hub is still beautifully machined, just more conventional in appearance. The rims are on the wider side, measuring 30mm internally. It’s purposeful. Like the Yoktos, they’re built with a hooked bead, so you’re not locked into one setup. Tubeless works well, but you still have the option to run a clincher with a tube if that’s your preference.
Everything about the build looked clean. No rough edges, nothing that made me question it.
Mounting tires was straightforward. I put on a set of Tufo Gravel Thundero tires in a labeled 44mm, and at my usual 30 psi they measured closer to 47mm on the rim. The beads seated quickly, no drama, and the whole setup came together fast.
Rolling out of the shop, within the first block, there was that immediate sense that something was right. Smooth, quiet, composed. The Nano hubs are very, very good. It’s one of those moments where you don’t need a full ride to start forming an opinion.
I still went and did my usual loop, about 30 miles with 4,500 feet of climbing, a pretty even split between dirt and pavement. It’s a route I ride all the time, so small differences tend to show up.
Nothing about the ride was dramatic in the sense of chasing numbers or setting faster times. It was more subtle than that. The entire ride just felt better. Grip was noticeably improved (and would get even better as I took a bit more pressure out of the tires), which makes sense with the wider internal rim. Acceleration felt tight and direct. On pavement, they carried speed well. On dirt, they stayed composed without feeling vague or disconnected which is much appreciated on all the loose gravel descents on this route.
There wasn’t a single moment where I thought, “this is the defining characteristic.” It was just consistently good, the entire time.
By the end of that first ride, I already knew.
I didn’t feel the need to break it down further or spend weeks trying to validate it. They did what they were supposed to do, across the board, without calling attention to themselves.
At their price point, they land right where they should relative to other wheels in this category. Clean, simple and competitive, while keeping the marketing B.S. out of it.
This is a true all-around gravel wheel. The only real consideration is clearance. With a 30mm internal rim and real-world tire widths pushing into the high 40s, your frame needs to be able to accommodate it.
If it does, this is an easy one, go Nano.
Don’t want to take our word for it? We have a set of all three models here to try. Click to read more, or reach out and let us know if you’d like to try:
The Tune Nano Gravel Wheelset (just launched)
The Tune Yokto 30/30 Wheelset (the lightest)
The Tune Yokto 45/50 Wheelset (light and more aero)
Thank you for spending a little time with us, now get out there and keep it rubber side down!
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