There is a Japanese saying that "if you want rice cakes, go to a rice cake maker," but as the saying "dreaming of rice cakes" suggests, sometimes good fortune arrives that feels almost too good to be true.
At last August's MADE Bike Show, the introduction of the Outback 20″ from ASTRAL CYCLING sent a shockwave through the industry. Here at Circles, we often pair this brand with SKLAR or WILDE, so it has a strong reputation for gravel and MTB, but the truth is they are also deeply committed to the "small wheel" world of mini-velos and folding bikes—a dedication reflected in the breadth of their size lineup.
Building on that momentum, we are excited to announce that a new 16-inch size has been added to their road model rim, the Solstice!! (The rice cake maker has expanded their confident lineup, a literal dream come true.)
The Solstice is synonymous with a great balance of agility and rigidity, representing the "joy of riding" within the ASTRAL lineup. That concept has been perfectly translated into the 16″ size.
Before we dive in, a quick note: even when rim/wheel sizes use the same inch notation, the standards can differ.
The key to determining compatibility is the BSD (Bead Seat Diameter) / ETRTO (European Tyre and Rim Technical Organisation) value, which is defined for every tire and rim. This represents the diameter of the "bead seat," where the tire and rim meet. If these values do not match between the tire and the rim, they cannot be installed, even if the inch size notation is the same.
With that in mind, the BSD/ETRTO for this Solstice is "349," which is a standard for narrower tires within the 16″ category. For example, this is the size used by the BIKE FRIDAY Pakit and BROMPTON.
ASTRAL Solstice 16″: Unlocking Small-Wheel Agility
Small-diameter wheels like 16″ or 20″ require less energy to rotate, which makes pedaling away from a stop feel incredibly light. To exaggerate, imagine the difference in effort required to roll a small ball versus a giant one in a school sports race.
Because they start moving so easily, the snappy acceleration is a unique charm of small wheels, making frequent stop-and-go city traffic feel effortless. It is no wonder so many bikes designed for urban riding use small wheels.
The wheels we built using the Solstice 16″ paired with Velocity Road Race Hubs match the light, portable character of the BIKE FRIDAY Pakit beautifully. The ease of acceleration, the sense of speed, and the sharp braking performance of the rim brakes are truly highlighted.
Just like the Outback 20″, the Solstice 16″ is also available in Matte Silver. We are thrilled that it pairs so well with classic component assemblies.
Hand-built Wheels for Long-lasting Joy
At Circles, we offer the Gorilla Spun Service, where we help you select components based on your riding style and bike. Drawing on our knowledge of the Solstice 16″ and all other ASTRAL models, we can suggest the perfect wheels for your specific setup.
Every component—from the rim to the hubs, nipples, and spokes—plays a major role in the final performance of the wheel.
Beyond just matching frame specs, one of the fun aspects of hand-built wheels is that they can be tailored to your vision, whether that’s "lightweight," "highly responsive," "durable," or "built to last for years."
Having a build that fits your specific needs is a great reason to keep using a wheel for a long time. Furthermore, because they are built with generally available standard components, there is the advantage of being able to get repairs at any bike shop, even in the event of an unexpected accident while on the road.
Exactly—in fact, hand-built wheels are one of the most important elements in keeping your bike running well and cherished for a long time.
While there haven't been many options for 16″ rims compared to 20″ within the small-wheel category, a new choice has now been added alongside Velocity's A23 and Dyad models.
These rims offer both agility and the peace of mind that comes from a "solid ride." Pick up a set of wheels that further unlock the joy of small-wheeled cycling, and let’s head out—from the city, to a little further away, and out on a journey.