Wheels are an essential component on any bicycle and play a key role in handling, safety, and performance. As the only point of contact with the ground, they directly affect stability, traction, and braking ability.

If you practice road cycling, the wheels are the first point to absorb vibrations from the asphalt and detect changes in the surface, influencing comfort and pedaling efficiency. In the case of mountain bikes, the wheels must offer grip and resistance to tackle uneven terrain, technical trails, and demanding descents.

But choosing the right wheels is not just a matter of aesthetics, lightness, or rim height. There are other key factors that determine which model is optimal according to your cycling style, without the need for a major investment.

In this guide, we explain which features you should look at to choose the best wheels for road bikes.

Parts of the wheels: rims, spokes, tires, hubs, and more

Before starting to look for models from one brand or another, it is advisable to be clear about the features of each of the wheel's parts. All of them have a specific function and determine its behavior.

Rims

The rim is the metal ring of the wheel, whose width determines the placement and also the behavior of the tire. The wider it is, the better the lateral stiffness and also the rolling coefficient. In other words, there is less friction with the asphalt. As for the rim profile, the width of the rim's sidewall determines braking quality if using rim brakes. And whether they are disc brakes or rim brakes, a higher profile provides proven aerodynamic improvement, especially at relatively high speeds (over 30 km/h).

Tires

There's little point in having quality wheels, with the best design and materials, if you then choose inadequate tires with low puncture resistance. You should always be clear about the three types of road tires:

Inner tube (or clincher)

This is the classic tire with an inner tube, easy to mount and remove, although heavier and less resistant to punctures.

Tubular

The tubular is a type of tire mainly used in the world of competition. In it, the tire and tube are fused into a single piece, making it lighter than a conventional tire. It also better mitigates air loss in the event of a puncture. However, they are more expensive and their installation on the rim (they are glued with adhesive) is more complex.

Tubeless

Tubeless is a type of tire that is very popular in the mountain bike segment and is increasingly gaining followers on the road. Its main advantage is that it does not require an inner tube. It has a specific shape that hooks onto the walls of the rim, leaving a sealed cavity inside with sealant liquid. This liquid seals the tire casing in case of a puncture and no air is lost. They are lighter wheels than clincher types, although their installation and maintenance are more complex. In addition to this basic type, you should also pay attention to the tire width: the standard is around 25 mm. Although many stock models already come in 28 mm or 30 mm. This brings more advantages: they can be inflated to lower pressures, reduce their contact surface with the ground, and thus optimize rolling resistance. If you want to know more, we recommend this post about the use of tubeless wheels on the road. 

Spokes

Spokes are the great forgotten and underrated component in the wheel chapter. And yet their importance is crucial. They are part of the basic structure of any wheel by connecting the rim to its hub. They are also directly involved in the final weight of the wheel, in its levels of lateral and torsional stiffness. And they also determine the overall strength of the set. The most common manufacturing material for spokes is steel in most cases, with brass nipples. Although there are also models with aluminum and titanium, but they are less common. And their number per rim ranges from 28 to 32 in standard models. Although in high-end and competition it drops to 24 to reduce weight.

Hubs and Axles

The hubs and axles are the center of rotation of the wheel and its connection to the bicycle frame. They also determine very important characteristics of the wheel, such as its weight or behavior. In addition, they house the brake disc and the rear one serves as a support for the cassette, thanks to its extension called the freehub body. That is why it is involved in basic bike actions such as pedaling or braking. Generally, hubs are made of aluminum and house an axle of the same material, which can be traditional quick release (QR) or thru-axle, with a larger diameter (10 and 12 mm) and stiffer. When choosing new wheels, or even the complete bicycle, we also recommend examining the type of hubs they have, the compatibility of their freehub body (for Shimano, SRAM or Campagnolo drivetrains) and the type of bearings inside (steel or ceramic).

Bearings

They are housed inside the hub, are spherical in shape, and are made of steel or ceramic materials. The latter aspect is important when it comes to distinguishing them. Currently, many cyclists are investing in changing hubs with ceramic bearings, as well as their races or cages, also ceramic, to reduce friction and rolling resistance. Most studies on the subject estimate the wheel's performance improvement between 20% and 30% compared to steel ones, as well as their optimal durability. But their cost is quite superior. A hub with ceramic bearings can double or triple its price compared to a steel one. However, this increase is gradually decreasing, with the growing variety of models on the market.

Materials: carbon vs aluminum

The rim manufacturing material is another key aspect when choosing a wheel. Carbon is the star material for this discipline, even for many enthusiasts. They are lighter (up to 200 grams per rim compared to aluminum) and their stiffness levels are higher. Thus, they end up being more efficient when pedaling, braking, or maintaining a certain average speed for longer. Aluminum wheels can be a better option for cyclists who are just starting out in road cycling. Or those who want to go out for a relaxed ride to accumulate kilometers without more ambitious goals. The average price savings of a pair of aluminum wheels compared to carbon ones is between 600 and 700 euros.

Rim profiles: which one is right for me?

Profiled wheels in road cycling are in fashion and there is a great variety and competition of models among brands. The higher the profile or sidewall of the rim, the better aerodynamic performance you will get when riding at high speed (over 30 km/h). But the weight will increase as more material is used. However, a lower profile, below 40 mm, has other benefits that medium or high profiles do not have: less weight, better absorption of the road, and greater efficiency in crosswinds. These are road wheels more recommended for climbing and descending mountain passes or doing long-distance routes, or with rough and poor road surfaces.

Tire size: 700C or 650B?

Another aspect that goes unnoticed by many cyclists but is highly relevant. The tire size or its outer diameter. There are currently two standardized sizes: 700C, the most widespread, and 650B. The numbers refer to the outer diameter measured in millimeters. 700C tires are more stable at moderate and high speeds and their contact surface with the ground is smaller. It is the most widely used standard. 650B tires have been on the rise in recent years with the development of endurance bikes , as well as in the gravel. These are wheels with a smaller diameter, which means quicker reactions and better handling in curves or more technical sections. But they end up being less effective at rolling. Their diameter would be comparable to 27.5” mountain bike wheels.

What are TPI?

TPI is a technical characteristic of the tire that determines its durability and puncture resistance. It is based on the number of nylon threads per square inch (Threads Per Inch) of the casing. So, if you prioritize performance and lightness, you should go for a tire with high TPI (more threads and less rubber), superior at 100. On the other hand, if you prefer a durable and resistant tire, it’s better to choose one with low TPI, around 60 TPI.

The rolling resistance coefficient

We have already talked about the width of the rim, the tire, and also the size (outer diameter). All these values influence the rolling resistance coefficient of the wheel. It is determined by the footprint or contact surface of the tire with the asphalt, which is smaller as the tire is wider and has a larger diameter. But this does not mean that a wider tire is always more efficient. It also has greater air resistance and adds more weight to the bike. Therefore, consider whether you want to prioritize more comfort, durability, and efficiency while riding (wide tires) or less weight, more aerodynamics but more wear (narrow tires).

Recommended brands and manufacturers

To finish this comprehensive guide on road cycling wheels, we have selected the main reference brands in the road bike wheel market.

Mavic

Mavic has been making road wheels for decades. It has a wide range of products, both in carbon and aluminum, compatibility with all groups on the market (Shimano, SRAM, Campagnolo), and a high-performance offering proven in the world’s top races. Notable models include the Cosmic in carbon and Ksyrium in aluminum.

Zipp

Zipp is SRAM’s wheel brand, with a wide range of road and triathlon models. However, it is somewhat more focused on high performance and its aluminum offering is more limited, as is its compatibility with other groups that are not SRAM. Notable models include the high-performance 404 series and the 303 Endurance/gran fondo series. It also has its own tire models.

Campagnolo

In addition to road transmission groups, the Italian brand stands out for its high-performance wheels. It has 7 main models in carbon or aluminum and all types of profiles. For carbon models, mention the Bora, while for aluminum we recommend the Scirocco or Shamal.

Corima

Corima is a brand specialized in high-performance carbon wheels. It is the choice of several current UCI World Tour teams. Its range is categorized by profiles and also by compatibility with disc or rim brakes. These are more elite and expensive wheels, but of great quality.

Shimano

We couldn't leave out the world's leading component manufacturer. Each of its groupsets (Dura-Ace, Ultegra, 105, etc.) has its own wheelset. They are offered in a multitude of versions (high, medium, and low profiles) and materials (carbon and aluminum). However, they have similar limitations, as is the case with Zipp, regarding the cassette freehub and also the brake disc installation (Shimano Center Lock), prioritizing the brand's own standard.