Velo Orange Orbital Rim
The Velo Orange Orbital is a wide, tubeless-compatible aluminum rim for loaded touring, gravel and backcountry riding: 27mm inside, 31.8mm outside, disc brake only, and made for tires from 45mm up to 2.5in. It comes in 700c at 447 grams, 650b at 414, 20in at 284 and the new 32in size at 489, in matte silver, polished silver or black.
This page covers every Orbital size we build. It is built to order here: choose the hub, spokes and nipples in the configurator, and we lace, tension and true the wheel by hand in Georgia.
Design and construction
Velo Orange calls the Orbital a modern, wide-profile rim, and the numbers back it up. A 27mm inner width gives a 45mm to 2.5in tire a rounder, better supported profile than a narrow touring rim can, so it can run lower pressure for grip and comfort without the squirm of a tire stretched over too little rim.
It is made from 6061-T6 aluminum, the alloy Velo Orange uses for its rims, and it is disc only: no machined brake track, which keeps the polished and black finishes looking right for longer. It takes external nipples and standard J-bend or straight-pull spokes, decided by the hub.
How it rides
Built on a Chronos or other quality hub, the Orbital makes a wheel for an adventure bike that goes anywhere: a chunky gravel tire on dirt roads, a 2.25in tire on a loaded tourer, or a 29er tire on a rigid mountain bike. The wide bed lets you drop pressure on washboard and sand without the tire rolling under you.
For heavy loads and bikepacking we suggest 32 hole; 28 hole is a lighter choice for an unladen gravel or trail wheel. The 20in size suits cargo bikes, folding bikes and small-wheel tourers, and the 32in size is for the new big-wheel frames.
Specifications
| Wheel sizes | 700c / 29in (622), 650b / 27.5in (584), 20in (406), 32in (686) |
|---|---|
| ERD | 603 (700c), 565 (650b), 386.5 (20in), 665.5 (32in) |
| Weight | 447g (700c), 414g (650b), 284g (20in), 489g (32in) |
| Inner width | 27 mm |
| Outer width | 31.8 mm |
| Drillings | 28h or 32h (700c, 650b); 32h only (20in, 32in) |
| Tire range | 45mm to 2.5in |
| Tire type | Clincher, tubeless compatible |
| Brake | Disc only |
| Material | 6061-T6 aluminum |
| Nipples | External |
| Finishes | matte silver, polished silver, black |
Which version this is
What this listing covers: the Orbital in four diameters, chosen in the configurator. The 700c and 650b come in 28 or 32 hole; the 20in and 32in are 32 hole only, as Velo Orange makes them.
The Orbital is the widest Velo Orange rim we build. For narrower tires the Voyager, 22.1mm inside, is the touring and gravel choice, and the Enterprise is the classic box-section rim for 25 to 38mm tires.
Sizes, fit and compatibility
The ERD changes with the diameter, so we cut spokes for the size you choose. On 700c the Orbital fits 29er mountain bikes and wide-tire gravel bikes; 650b fits 27.5in mountain bikes and 650b gravel and touring frames. Check the widest tire your frame clears before you pick a 2.4 or 2.5in tire.
We build it on the Velo Orange Chronos disc hubs, including the Boost Chronos for mountain bike frames, and on other 6-bolt and Centerlock disc hubs, usually with DT Champion or Competition or Sapim Race spokes and brass nipples. Choose gravel, touring or mountain bike as the bike type and the configurator recommends a spoke count and lacing pattern.
Build it into a wheel
This rim is live in our Custom Wheel Program for gravel and road disc, touring, mountain bike and MTB single-speed builds. Start a build with the Velo Orange Orbital Rim and the configurator opens with this exact rim pinned at the top of the Velo Orange list — you choose the rest of the parts and it validates every combination as you go.
Spoke head is decided by the hub, not the rim: this rim builds equally well with J-bend or straight-pull spokes, and the configurator only offers the spokes that match the hub you pick.
Velo Orange's testing and certifications
Velo Orange makes its rims from 6061-T6 aluminum at partner factories in Taiwan, with a different specialist factory for each product line, one of them for rims; it describes working with those factories for the better part of two decades. For the Orbital it publishes the material, widths, ERD and weight of every size, the 45mm to 2.5in tire range and tubeless compatibility. It does not publish impact or fatigue test results or a maximum tire pressure, so ask us if you need one confirmed. On warranty, Velo Orange states that defective parts can be exchanged for one year from the purchase date, with proof of purchase.
Sources on Velo Orange's site:
- Orbital Rim, 700c/29er
- Orbital Rim, 650b/27.5"
- Orbital Rim, 20"
- Orbital Rim, 32"
- Velo Orange Rims collection
The figures above are Velo Orange's own. ProWheelBuilder does not run these tests; our part is the wheel we build on the rim.
Building it at ProWheelBuilder
Velo Orange makes the Orbital; ProWheelBuilder is an independent wheel builder in Georgia, not the manufacturer. Each wheel is built the same way: measured ERD, spokes cut to length for your size, staged tensioning with a gauge, stress relief and a final true, with tubeless tape on request.
The configurator shows only hubs and spokes that match the Orbital drilling you pick, strikes through combinations that are not made, and prices the wheel live.
Warranty
Velo Orange's warranty. Velo Orange exchanges defective parts and accessories, its rims and hubs among them, for one year from the purchase date. Proof of purchase is required, because the warranty period runs from the day the part was bought.
ProWheelBuilder. Lace this into a wheel here and the finished wheel gets our own one-year warranty as well as the maker's. For twelve months we replace broken spokes however they broke, and the work on the wheel is on us - truing, re-tensioning, a rebuild where it is needed. If the rim or hub is covered by its manufacturer we put the claim in and chase it; if it is not, we supply an eligible replacement rim or hub at 25% off the current retail price. Carriage both ways is the customer's, and this does not cover wheels built from parts you send in.
Full terms are on our Policies & Warranty page.
Orbital Rim questions
What tires fit the Orbital?
Velo Orange rates it for 45mm to 2.5in tires. That covers wide gravel tires, 650b by 2.0in touring tires and 2.2 to 2.5in mountain tires.
Is the Orbital tubeless?
Yes, it is tubeless compatible. Choose tubeless tape in the configurator and use a tubeless-ready tire.
Can I use it with rim brakes?
No. The Orbital is disc only and has no brake track. For a rim-brake wheel, look at the Velo Orange Enterprise.
Orbital or Voyager?
The Orbital is wider inside, 27mm against the Voyager's 22.1mm, and it is meant for 45mm and wider tires. The Voyager suits narrower touring and gravel tires.
Why only 32 hole in 20in and 32in?
That is how Velo Orange makes those sizes. The 700c and 650b Orbital come in 28 or 32 hole.
What is the 32in size?
A new, larger wheel size with an ISO bead seat of 686mm, used on some bikes for tall riders. Tire choice is still limited, so confirm your frame and tire are 686 before ordering.
Is ProWheelBuilder the manufacturer of the Orbital?
No. Velo Orange makes the rim. ProWheelBuilder is an independent custom wheel builder in Georgia that builds it into a wheel to your spec.
Not sure? Text or leave a voicemail on 470-253-0929 or email info@prowheelbuilder.com — you will be talking to the people who build the wheels.
