Guide to Choosing Mountain Bike Wheels

Choosing the right mountain bike takes careful consideration and examination. Most of the time, bike enthusiasts would consider the type of mountain bike. They want to make sure that it matches their riding style and is of the right size. Then, they would take it out for a spin to see if it is comfortable. Unfortunately, most people tend not to put too much thought on the mountain bike wheels.

A wheel upgrade is one of the single best improvements you can make to any bike. Having good quality wheels is of great importance whether you’re barrelling down one of the biggest trails in the area or just riding around town with a bunch of friends. By choosing the right wheels, we can guarantee that you’ll notice an improvement in speed, versatility as well as comfort.

There are a number of things you need to consider when buying mountain bike wheels. Here are some of them.  

Consider your riding style

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When choosing bike wheels, it is of vital importance to select one that suits your riding style. If you are the type of biker who rides up and down a mountain, on the sandy rocky trails of the desert or in the muddy trails, then you need a set of tires that are strong, tough and durable.

If you are in the market for new wheels, start by taking a look at your current wheels. If they still look fine, then we recommend getting wheels of the same quality. But if you’ve literally ground your last wheelset into the filth, then you need to put your priorities in order. Find new mountain bike wheels that are of better quality, much more durable and made out of harder material.

Just like car wheels, bike wheels are made of different materials. They also differ in terms of casing tread counts and tread patterns. They also have their own strengths and weaknesses depending on the terrain you ride in. Make sure that you choose wheels that suit your riding style.

Mountain bike wheels size matters

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26-inch wheels have long been considered as the standard size for mountain bikes. Today, however, mountain bike wheels are available in a variety of sizes. There are 26-inch wheels, 27.5-inch wheels, and then there’s those big 29ers.

Bikes with standard set of wheels have a shorter standover height. If you are tall or long-legged, you might feel more comfortable on a 29-inch wheel. If you’re on the short side, a 26-inch wheel might be just what you need. You also need to consider what terrain you ride on most of the time, who you are as a biker and what you want out of your bike.

26-inch wheels accelerate more quickly and offer unmatched maneuverability. Bikes with smaller wheels have a lower center of gravity, making it nimbler in tight turns. 29-inch wheels, on the other hand, also provide some distinct advantages. For one, they allow you to travel faster without having to pedal too fast. This is because bigger wheels have less rolling resistance. Once you get them rolling, they will work up more momentum. The 29ers are also ideal for trail obstacles like roots and rocks. 27.5-inch wheels strike a balance between 26-inch and 29-inch wheels. They ride much more fluently than the smaller wheels. They are also more agile, stronger and faster than the bigger wheels.

Determine your budget  

Cost is one of the most important considerations when in the market for bike wheels. Since different wheels are sold at different price points, you need to determine how much you are willing to spend on a new set.

The good news is that you don’t need to spend a huge sum of money on mountain bike wheels. In fact, even the cheapest wheels are of decent quality. There is no point in spending $500 on a new set of wheels if you can buy something cheaper with the same quality. When choosing to upgrade your wheels, we highly recommend that you shop around first.

Reliability

 

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Reliability isn’t much of an issue with new mountain bike wheels. Oftentimes, your relationship tends to get rocky further down the track.

The strength of your wheels is of great importance. Look for brands that are known for making quality wheels. This way, you can be sure that you get the most out of your investment. This is especially important if your riding is quite hard and aggressive.

Different companies offer different types of wheels. All these companies say they have the best or the cheapest products. Since buying wheels is something we don’t do very often, most bike enthusiasts have no idea which one to choose. When looking to buy a new set of wheels, it is always a good idea to do your research. You may also want to ask the staff in your local store for recommendations. They have a good idea which wheel brands are of great quality.

 

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