Aerycs Mudflow MiG Gravel Wheelset

As a true gravel fan, one knows: A life without a second wheelset is possible, but pointless! The real heroes of the gravel roads don't just ride under ideal conditions, but are out on their bikes in any weather, at any time of day or night. Zwift? What's that, I only know Swiffer!
To make the most of the fourth most beautiful season in the world, we recommend investing in a second, third, or fourth wheelset with tires tailored to the specific conditions. Any questions?

"Many interesting things come from Northern Germany. Rollmops, Labskaus, and countless other fish dishes, which we do not want to go into detail here - primarily for reasons of time. Anyone who wants to learn details about North German cuisine should consider a private consultation with the old sea dog Marcus Baranski highly recommended.

Back to the topic: For the sake of consistency, we prefer to focus on a fine wheel forge located in Ellerau, north of Hamburg. Here, the company "aerycs" - pronounced "RX" - produces high-quality wheels for every purpose. From mountain bikers to triathletes, there is something for everyone. Aerycs has a wide range and offers quality at fair prices.
Real cycling aficionados and wheel lovers can even freely configure their desired setup. If desired, new wheels can be ordered complete with tires, brake discs, cassette, and tubeless kit."

My choice fell - unsurprisingly - on the Mudflow MiG, the flagship in the aerycs fleet. What must be, must be. The visually appealing rim, which is manufactured in Germany using a special carbon layup process, has piqued my interest.

Moreover, the finish looks awesome, the rest should be fine. The raw data on paper are promising: 35 millimeters high, 25 millimeters inner width, 31 millimeters width - wait, three millimeters of material on the rim flange, on each side? Yes, because quality matters, and more is more, especially when you're often off-road.

The rest of the menu also reads excellently: 240 DT Swiss hubs with Ratchet EXP freehub and Centerlock mount, rounded off by DT Swiss Aero bladed spokes. The package also includes the new MilkIt Tubeless Starter Pack for Road & Gravel, consisting of valves, rim tape, and sealant.
The wheelset is designed for up to 120 kilograms of load and still only weighs 1,269 grams - even without the Sram XDR freehub, still quite a statement.

When the temperatures drop below the 10 degrees Celsius mark, the winter break traditionally begins for me. After all, I didn't reach the age of 35 to senselessly freeze on my road bike during my free time. However, there are these days when you are personally coerced by the boss to wrap up warm and enjoy a mandatory fresh air cure. Yay!

Thanks to POC, there is also the right gear for this: Tearful eyes due to icy drafts? With the POC Ora Goggles, that's a thing of the past. Splash water on your rear and legs? The POC Motion Rain Pants are not only waterproof but also chic enough to go from the country road directly to the next business meeting. And to brighten up the setting of John Carpenter's "The Thing" with a splash of color, the POC Loft Parka is recommended, a statement piece that should not be missing in any well-sorted winter wardrobe. Whether St. Moritz or Kitzbühel, nothing screams "business administration student in the 28th semester" quite like this bright yellow heat donor.

If I were 15 kilograms lighter, 10 years half as old, and a promising young talent, I could definitely see the Aerycs Mudflow MiG as a racing wheelset for cyclocross use. An hour at full throttle in the mud. That's where reliability counts, it's about maximum performance and also durability, in case a tubeless tire gets pulled off the rim in the heat of the moment. You can expect all of that from this product!

Moreover, I could very well imagine the wheels on an endurance racing bike. Weighing just over 1,400 grams, they weigh almost the same as the DT Swiss ERC 1100 Dicut, which I am using. Similar hubs, similar spokes, similar rims deliver a comparable riding experience.
The fine difference is that the Aerycs are more than 30 percent cheaper and can handle even wider tires.

In summary: Cyclocross & Gravel Race: YES; Gravel & Rough-Stuff: YES - as long as the fillings are tight and Bikepacking: NO. For the latter, Aerycs indeed has more comfortable sets in their program, such as the more affordable GCX or Explore model lines.

So, if you're looking for light and ultra-stiff wheels for your CX/Gravel/Road bike, often ride on poor asphalt, or sometimes want to tackle forest roads, this model is spot-on. Bikeboard recommends: Go for it!