Compared to alloys, carbon can be formed into a wider range of shapes while also offering superior strength and stiffness. Here are some of the factors that affect bike wheel quality and cost:īetter materials: Ultralight, ultrastrong carbon-fiber rims can offer a leap in performance and sticker price compared to most alloy rims. Some wheels include adapters to fit a variety of axle lengths. Common examples include 100 or 110mm (front) and 130, 135, or 142 (rear). (Because quick-release skewers are almost all 9mm, diameter isn’t a concern with a skewer.)Īxle length: Whether you have quick-release skewers or thru axles, you need to know the internal distance within the frame where the wheel mounts. (Note that some bikes use a skewer on one wheel and an axle on the other.)Īxle diameter: If you have a thru axle, you’ll need to know the axle diameter. Common examples include 12mm (road front, and mountain rear), 15mm (road front and mountain front) and 20mm (mountain front). You can tell if you have a thru axle because that axle has to slide through two frame holes, one of which is threaded, in order to attach the wheel to the bike. The wheel is held in place when you flip over the skewer’s lever, tightly clamping the wheel into place. Tubular tires, used by some elite riders, are another less-common tire option that must be glued to a rim specifically designed for use with tubular tires.ĭoes your wheel attach to your frame with a quick-release skewer or a thru axle? You’ll need to be sure your wheel is compatible.Ī quick-release skewer slides through an axle that fits into the dropouts (slotted frame ends) on either side of the wheel. (Note that you can run tubeless tires with tubes, so when making your new wheel choice, you might consider tubeless-compatible wheels simply to give yourself the option to try tubeless tires in the future.) UST (universal system tubeless) designated wheels make it easier to mount tubeless tires. You can run tubeless tires at lower tire pressures for a smoother ride and better traction without pinch flats. Many mountain bikers use tubeless tires and a growing number of road riders are trying them. If you are using tubeless tires without tubes, you will need tubeless-compatible wheels (and tire sealant). If you have a traditional clincher tire (the most common tire type), your tube’s valve type, Schrader or Presta, must match the hole in your wheel’s rim. Some wheels list a range of compatible tire widths. At the extremes-extra-wide tires on extra-skinny rims, for example-a tire might not fit. Other typical mountain bike tire sizes are 27.5" or 29" other sizes exist, but these are the most common.Īs long as your tire diameter (700, 29, etc.) and wheel size match, most tire widths will fit. This is the approximate outer diameter (26") by the width (2"). On mountain bike tires you’ll see a number pairing that looks like 26x2.0. The second number (23) denotes the actual tire width in millimeters. The first number (700) is a size which roughly corresponds to the outer diameter of the tire in millimeters. On road bike tires, you'll see a number pairing such as 700x23. Look at the sidewall of your tire to find the tire size that will correspond with your new wheel size. It also lets you precisely match your wheels to your riding needs.
While this can be your most expensive option, it allows you to choose each component of the wheel individually. You might even consider custom wheel building.
#IRON HORSE BIKE REPLACEMENT WHEELS 26 UPGRADE#
A wheel upgrade can help you ride faster, climb more efficiently or tackle downhill terrain more aggressively. Rims and spokes are also subject to metal fatigue eventually, so you should ask the bike shop to assess your wheels’ health if you’ve been riding on them for several years.Ĭonsider upgrading your wheels to give yourself a performance boost. If your rim doesn’t have a wear indicator, you can check the rim surface for a slight concave depression or other signs of excessive wear. When to replace your wheels: Some rims have a replacement indicator, a hole or groove that slowly disappears as the rim wears down. Replacement mileage might vary from a few thousand miles to 20,000 miles or more, depending on your road or trail conditions, your weight, how much overall weight your bike is carrying, how aggressively you ride and, most importantly, how much braking you do. After you’ve ridden your bike long enough, your wheels reach a point where they need to be replaced.
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