The wheels are one of the first components that cyclists usually change when looking to improve the performance of their mountain bike. It is a common investment, generally made between one and two years after purchase, when you have already ridden enough to notice the differences and have a budget to upgrade the bike. In addition, as we progress as cyclists, we look for equipment that helps us improve our experience and performance.
If you have reached this point and are thinking about buying new wheels for your mountain bike, it is important to know certain key aspects before making a decision. The rim material, internal width, hub type, and wheel profile are just some of the factors that will influence the bike's behavior.
Even in the case of road bikes, the choice of wheels can make a big difference in terms of aerodynamics, weight, and rolling resistance.
In this article, we explain everything you need to know to choose the ideal wheels for your bike, whether it is a mountain or road bike. 🚴♂️🔧
>> See wheels for mountain bikes
Weight distribution
One of the main reasons to change wheels is weight. In cycling in general, and in mountain biking in particular, there is an obsession with having the lightest possible components. Certainly, wheels are extremely important when it comes to reducing the weight of a bike, but we must know that not all elements of a wheel equally affect weight distribution. It's a matter of physics.
>> The key to reducing the weight of your bike is in the wheels
We all know that to move a given object, we need to apply the necessary energy or work to move it. This is kinetic energy. Thus, the kinetic translational energy (the work required to move an object through space) will affect our entire bike, and the wheels will also be affected by rotational kinetic energy (work associated with rotational movement with angular velocity), which can cause the weight of the wheels to affect twice as much as that of the rest of the bike's components. But this last statement is very relative, since depending on where we save weight on our wheels, it will be more or less noticeable, and the closer we are to the center of rotation, the less the rotational kinetic energy affects. So the weight of a thru axle or a hub influences much less than that of the rim or the tire.
>> Suspension and wheels: two key elements when buying a mountain bike
This is important to keep in mind, since sometimes we make the mistake of spending a few extra euros on wheels with a lighter hub thinking we will ride lighter. However, if the rim weighs more, the real effect will not be so advantageous.
Which material is better?
On the market you can find wheels made of different materials and even a combination of them. For example, some wheels have a structure (spokes and rim) made of aluminum and a carbon braking surface. The characteristics that each material brings to the wheels are as follows:
Steel
Yes, although it may seem that everything is dominated by aluminum and carbon, steel wheels are still being made. These are very heavy wheels generally used for entry-level bikes. So if you are looking to upgrade your bike, you should not consider buying them.
Aluminum
Currently, it is the most used material for manufacturing mountain bike wheels, although this trend is gradually changing because both professionals and high-end bikes for enthusiasts are already equipped with carbon wheels. The main advantages of aluminum are the price (cheaper than carbon wheels) and the weight (lighter than carbon wheels).
Carbon
The benefits of carbon are already being implemented in almost all cycling components, but in mountain bike wheels it is taking longer, largely due to the feeling of fragility it gives. We tend to think they are more fragile than aluminum ones. The main advantages of carbon wheels for mountain biking are significant. The weight, without a doubt, is the first thing that catches our attention, as we can talk about half a kilogram difference between aluminum and carbon wheels (with all that implies, as we saw before). On the other hand, they offer greater stiffness and acceleration capacity, providing a smoother ride. But there is a major downside, which is the price, since good quality carbon wheels can start at around €1,000, while their aluminum counterparts are about half the price, around €500.
>> Should I buy an aluminum bike or a carbon bike?
How to protect carbon wheels
With the arrival of carbon on mountain bike wheels and the growing popularity of tubeless tires, it is normal for certain doubts to arise. What happens if the tire tears or the tubeless sealant doesn't seal the puncture? Can a hard impact against a rock ruin the wheel completely?
The reality is that carbon wheels they are more resistant than many cyclists think. They do not break easily from a simple rim hit, although it is true that a strong impact can damage them. For greater peace of mind, many brands have developed a component that is gaining popularity in the world of mountain bike: the mousse.
What is mousse and how does it work?
The mousse is a cylindrical foam, generally made with low-density polymers, which is placed inside the tire to prevent rim hits in case of pressure loss. Its use is compatible with tubeless sealant, and it provides an additional layer of protection for the wheels, even allowing you to ride with lower pressures without compromising the rim.
Pros and cons of mousse in mountain bikes
Advantages:
✔️ Greater protection against impacts and rim hits.
✔️ Allows you to ride with less pressure without risking rim damage.
✔️ Improves control and traction on technical terrain.
Disadvantages:
❌ High price (around 40-50 € per unit depending on the brand).
❌ It can absorb the tubeless sealant if its outer layer deteriorates, so it requires periodic maintenance.
Ultimately, the mousse is an interesting option for those seeking greater safety and durability in their mountain bike wheels. Although it is not essential, it can make a difference in demanding terrain.
If you are passionate about MTB and want to improve the protection of your wheels, here we tell you everything you need to know about using mousse and how to get the most out of it on your bike.
>> The advantages of using tubeless wheels on a mountain bike
Rim widths
Currently, the market trend is to use increasingly wider rims, which gives us more stability, comfort, and thanks to them, we can ride with lower pressures. However, they have the drawback that a wider rim means a greater weight. If what you are looking for is to make your bike as light as possible and you rule out a wider rim for this reason, you should keep in mind that, on the other hand, you will sacrifice a more comfortable ride and greater traction.
Types of spokes
When choosing new wheels for our mountain bike , we usually pay attention to aspects such as the rim material, the type of tires, or the weight. However, there is an essential component that often goes unnoticed: the spokes of the wheel. These elements are responsible for supporting the tension between the rim and the hub, which directly affects the strength, durability, and performance of the bicycle.
How many spokes should an MTB wheel have?
Generally, it is recommended that mountain bike wheels have 28 spokes, but this number is not a fixed rule. There are wheels with fewer spokes, which can be just as strong if they are designed to withstand more tension. On the other hand, there are also wheels with more spokes, where the load is better distributed, although in some cases this can affect the weight or the quality of the assembly.
Types of spokes according to their design
Spokes can be classified according to their geometry and their anchoring system to the hub:
- Round or flat spokes: In terms of performance, there are no major differences between them. The choice depends more on aesthetics or aerodynamics, something that is valued more in road bikes, where wind resistance plays a key role.
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Bent spokes vs. straight pull spokes:
- Bent spokes: More economical, with an angle in the anchoring area to the hub, where they bear most of the tension.
- Straight pull spokes: They are inserted straight into the hub and distribute the tension better, making them more reliable and durable.
Ultimately, choosing the right spokes for your bike can make a difference in terms of performance and strength. Both in mountain bikes and road bikes, it is essential to consider the type of spokes according to your riding style and the terrain you ride on.
If you are thinking about upgrading your bike's wheels, here we explain everything you need to know to make the best decision.
Types of hubs
The hub is the central part of the wheel, where the axle connects the wheel to the bicycle. It is more important than it seems, because when buying wheels for mountain bikes, many cyclists do not know what type of hubs and axles they need. The main types of hubs are the following:
QR
This system was previously installed on most bicycles, with a width of 100 millimeters on the front wheel, 135 millimeters for the rear, and a quick release of 5 millimeters.
Thru axle
With the appearance of thru axles, the same hub widths were maintained at the front and moved to 142 mm at the rear, gaining stiffness with this new type of closure.
Boost System
The Boost system is a hub standard that began to gain popularity starting in 2017, revolutionizing the stiffness and compatibility of wheels on mountain bikes. This system increases the width of the hubs to 15 x 110 mm on the front wheel and 12 x 148 mm on the rear, which has improved stability and increased tire clearance, allowing the use of wider tires for better traction and control.
Advantages of the Boost system
✔️ Greater stiffness: By modifying the angle of the spokes, a more resistant and stable wheel is achieved.
✔️ Better vibration absorption: Allows the design of shorter and flatter rear stays, improving comfort on technical terrain.
✔️ Compatibility with wider tires: This translates into better grip and an improved riding experience in MTB.
Is it compatible with all bicycles?
It is essential to check the frame compatibility before choosing Boost wheels, since they cannot be installed on bicycles with 100 mm or 142 mm at the rear axle. In disciplines such as Enduro and Downhill, the widths can reach up to 20 x 110 mm on the front wheel and 12 x 150 mm on the rear, providing an even more resistant structure for extreme impacts.
Although the Boost system has become a standard in the world of mountain biking, in road bikes it has not had as much presence, since wheel stiffness is not as critical an issue as in MTB.
If you are thinking about improving your bike's performance, here we tell you everything you need to know about the Boost system and how it influences your riding.
Choose according to your budget
If you are looking to improve the performance of your mountain bike, investing in carbon wheels with Boost system is one of the best options. This change represents a significant advance in lightness, stiffness, and responsiveness, as long as the wheels are compatible with your bike frame.
Carbon or aluminum? Choose according to your budget
🔹 Premium option: If you have a high budget, Boost carbon wheels are the best choice. Their greater stiffness, lightness, and efficiency in power transmission will allow you to notice a big improvement with every pedal stroke, especially on technical and demanding terrain.
🔹 Balanced option: If you want to upgrade your bike without spending so much, for 400-500 euros you can find quality aluminum wheels that outperform those that come standard on many bikes. Although they do not offer the same lightness as carbon, they can noticeably improve your MTB's performance and durability.
Both for mountain bikes and road bikes, choosing the right wheels is key to optimizing your riding experience. Want to know more details about which wheels best suit your bike? Here we tell you everything you need to know.