Greatest mountain bike wheels reviewed and rated by consultants

The greatest mountain bike wheels can take extra of a hammering than ever. This partly explains the bias in direction of sturdiness, energy and downhill aptitude in lots of new wheels; elements which have barely overshadowed conventional considerations of saving weight and most effectivity in any respect prices.

After all wheels are simply a part of the package deal; be sure to’ve obtained the greatest mountain bike tyres for the circumstances you’re using in and good mud tyres if you happen to’re in search of additional grip.

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Good finances trail-riding wheel from one of many main names

Weight: 950g entrance, 1,060g rear | Inner rim width: 30mm | Ranking: 9/10

Professional: Actually clean journey really feel. No bizarre development.

Con: Not the lightest… We’re nitpicking at this level!

Toughness and reliability are the principle promoting factors right here, and this bombproof package deal does the job for a good worth. You’ll have to spend significantly extra, and attain a lot greater up the DT vary, to save lots of weight, however lighter wheels can be found for the same worth from much less prestigious manufacturers.

And this, plus repairs or spoke alternative in your travels being probably tougher are value fascinated by.

Learn our check of DT Swiss M1900 Spline wheelset

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Inexpensive and significantly lighter than you may assume

Weight: 912g entrance, 1,992g rear | Inner rim width: 30mm | Ranking: 9/10

Professional: Nice all spherical package deal for an affordable worth

Con: Not probably the most thrilling journey high quality

With a delicate end and sorted appears, £400 for a sub two-kilo alloy wheelset that’s powerful sufficient for correct all-mountain using represents good worth. The Horizon V2s don’t supply something extraordinary when it comes to efficiency, however they’re completely non-nonsense with effectively thought out particulars, and which means they’re a superb improve.

Learn our check of the Nukeproof Horizon V2 wheelset

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Mavic E-Deemax S wheels

Greatest electrical mountain bike wheels

Weight: 1,030g entrance S30, 1,150g rear S35 | Inner rim width: 35mm | Freehub: XD driver, Microspline or HG | Ranking: 9/10

Execs: Simple to set-up tubeless. Robust rims. Sturdy. Low-friction freehub. Good high quality.

Cons: Heavy. Normal graphics are a bit naff.

These alloy E-Deemax S wheels are a comparatively new addition to the Mavic vary and are aimed squarely at e-bike riders. They’re out there in two inner widths – 30mm and 35mm – and two diameters – 29in and 27.5in.

The Mavic’s have a journey high quality that sits someplace in direction of the center of the wheel stiffness spectrum. Mavic can use a sealed rim mattress because of its FORE Idea, the place the oversize, splined spoke nipples thread immediately into the alloy rim.

One notably satisfying trait of the E-Deemax is the low-friction freehub that simply appears to spin and spin while you’re coasting. It makes use of Mavic’s ID360 design – much like the DT Swiss star ratchet – and provides 15º engagement, minimal resistance and a extremely stable connection and drive even when the bike and rider are placing out most torque.

Mavic has constructed an impressively robust, sturdy, low-maintenance and free-spinning wheelset within the E-Deemax S. It received’t win any weight awards, however in order for you one thing that can take the knocks and ship a fuss-free, no problem expertise then the E-Deemax S is simply the ticket.

Learn the complete assessment of the Mavic E-Deemax wheels

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Silt Carbon XC wheels

Greatest light-weight cross-country XC wheels

Weight: Entrance: 640g/Rear: 750g = 1,390g complete | Rim width: 32mm exterior, 27mm inner | Ranking: 9/10

Execs: Light-weight, nice worth and fast, stomp and go acceleration

Cons: Sticky freehub, entrance spacer not tremendous safe

These ridiculously gentle £800 Silt XC carbon wheels are superb worth, and Silt’s newest providing additionally comes with confirmed elements and a limiteless free crash alternative programme (labour not included).

Clearly, the low worth is a significant draw, however there’s additionally snappy immediacy and correct stomp-and-go acceleration that sees you quickly zipping alongside. Even with the comparatively shallow 25mm rim depth, the journey is much less conforming and damped than some dearer carbon wheels I’ve examined, extra like old style razor-sharp carbon XC wheels.

This harshness isn’t extreme, however only a sense of a bit extra suggestions and vibration from small rocks flecked within the floor, relatively than smoothing out each ripple like some trendy rims which are designed to particularly create additional compliance.

Silt’s XC wheels are effectively sorted and produce all the advantages of a light-weight wheelset, albeit with a barely sharper journey than some carbon choices. The closest class rivals I can consider are Specialised’s carbon Roval Controls which are round 100g heavier and in addition £350 dearer. When it comes to worth and efficiency then, the Silt Carbon XC wheels are spectacular.

Learn the complete assessment of the Silt Carbon XC wheels

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Crankbrothers Synthesis i9 wheels

Premium alloy wheels

Weight: 900g entrance + 1,008g rear = 1,980g pair | Inner rim width: 31.5mm entrance, 29mm rear | Ranking: 8/10

Execs: Lighter than different alloy wheels, snappy journey, powerful

Cons: Costly

The broader sleeve-joined and welded entrance rim provides a extra squared-off tyre profile, extra air quantity for damping and further transverse grip leant over, whereas the skinnier rear encourages sooner rolling with a rounded tyre profile that additionally sharpens directional modifications. This interprets in an analogous strategy to the camber on a set of skis serving to provoke turning, and each choices show helpful in the true world too.

This can be a snappy, tough-rimmed, high quality set of alloy wheels delivering optimised tyre profiles at every finish, however in any other case it struggles to face head and shoulders above the competitors when cheaper, lighter and faster- feeling alloy packages can be found for the same worth. Your pockets received’t thanks, however splash out on the very good carbon variations in order for you the utmost Synthesis benefit.

Learn the complete Crankbrothers Synthesis i9 wheels assessment

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Nice worth for cash and sturdy

Weight: 810g entrance, 990g rear | Inner rim width: 30mm | Ranking: 10/10

Professional: Lighter and sooner than most. Insane worth for cash.

Con: Once more, not loads fallacious right here. Direct gross sales solely.

Hunt’s alloy wheel package deal is an absolute discount with a effectively thought out spec record, confirmed hubs and a efficiency you’ll wrestle to match for that a lot cash.

In the end, it’s onerous to argue with a light-weight, quick and difficult Hunt wheelset for below £350 when it rides this effectively. Exhausting to argue with a wheelset for below £350 that rides this effectively.

Learn our check of the Hunt Wheels TrailWide wheelset

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Tuned journey really feel brings a efficiency benefit

Weight: 860g entrance, 1,020g rear | Inner rim width: 31.5mm entrance, 29.5mm rear | Ranking:10/10

Professional: A particular product that dos what it units out to do. Noticeably extra grip on sever terrain.

Con: Nonetheless not precisely low cost. Not for weight weenies.

Crank Brother’s Synthesis is a particular product that lives as much as its billing. For £2,150, the highest finish model is even lighter and provides freehub engagement factors for extra precision in technical climbing, however you get the principle benefits right here with the supple entrance rim and its delicate means to wash off much less velocity and grip greater than rivals on actually sharp terrain.

This interprets to a way of operating much less tyre stress or a softer compound when it comes to calmness, however since they nonetheless really feel actually speedy too, this Synthesis is likely one of the greatest carbon MTB wheelsets out there. Excellent journey really feel and £500 lower than their prime finish model.

Learn our check of Crankbrothers Synthesis E wheelset

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Excellent for heavier and/or enduro riders

Weight: 1,000g entrance, 1,145g rear | Inner rim width: 29mm | Ranking: 9/10

Professional: Heavy responsibility wheels for severe enduro using or larger riders

Con: Maybe overkill for smaller, lighter, smoother riders

Whereas most wheels this weight can really feel like an excessive amount of to pull round on an enduro bike, that’s not the case right here, making them spectacular all-rounders and beneficial for heavier or demanding riders after a extremely powerful set of aluminium wheels for DH or enduro racing.

Learn our check of the Stan’s No Tubes Circulation EX3 wheelset

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Don’t simply go by the All-Mountain tag, these are impressively gentle

Weight: 1,890g pair | Inner rim width: 30mm | Ranking: 9/10

Professional: Just about unmatched when it comes to weight and energy at this worth

Con: Not loads at this worth

Silt has sweated the small print, however how do this stuff journey? Very effectively is the quick reply. The AMs really feel snappy and responsive and speed up and alter path rapidly. That is seemingly aided by a sub-1.9kg weight, which is low for a sturdy enduro-ready 29er wheelset, and the identical as many way more costly wheels – together with a great deal of carbon all-mountain packages.

The Silt All-Mountain wheelset is stiff sufficient too, so there’s no twanginess or flex smashing by way of overwhelmed up gulleys or eroded berms, even contemplating the decrease entrance spoke depend.

Learn our check of the Silt All-Mountain Wheelset

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Good wheels for aluminium aficionados

Weight: 808g entrance, 940g rear | Inner rim width: 30mm | Ranking: 9/10

Professional: Speedy enchancment to any bike. Extraordinarily low drag sensation.

Con: Approaching carbon worth level. Centerlock rotor mounts.

This DT Swiss wheel package deal is a fantastically refined product with a journey really feel that’s a lower above. It has an actual zip to it, nevertheless it isn’t the most cost effective and in addition has much less effectively sealed bearings that seem to prioritise rolling velocity over sealing, which received’t go well with everybody.

DT Swiss XM1501 is a superb wheel for aluminium aficionados.

Learn our check of the DT Swiss XM1501 Spline One wheelset

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Superior to the most effective alloy wheels with improved sturdiness over most carbon

Weight: 891g entrance, 1,019g rear | Inner rim width: 30mm | Ranking: 9/10

Professional: Merely superb rims. Comes with TyreWiz sensor.

Con: Comes with TyreWiz sensor whether or not you need it or not. That price ticket.

So the Zipp 3Zero Moto wheels supply a journey high quality that’s superior to the most effective alloy wheels, with improved sturdiness over most carbon options. At 1,910g for the 29er wheelset they’re a few of the heaviest in the marketplace, not you could inform while you’re using them.

Actually it’s the extra value of TyreWiz, when a £20 stress gauge would suffice, and the sluggish freehub engagement that takes the shine off the in any other case standout journey high quality. So in all probability the best choice could be a customized construct along with your most popular hubs.

Actually, that’s at present the one possibility you probably have a 12-speed Shimano drivetrain and need to profit from all the benefits the 3Zero Moto rims have to supply.

Learn our check of Zipp 3Zero Moto wheelset

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Sufficient to show this carbon cynics into agency believers

Weight:1,875g pair | Inner rim width: 30mm | Ranking: 9/10

Professional: Good stability of stiffness and luxury. Anti pinch flat design is cool.
Con: Not lighter than alloy. Value remains to be excessive.

Enve’s AM30s are costly and don’t deliver any ‘additional’ compliance or monitoring advantages to the desk like Zipp 3Zero Moto or Crank Brothers Synthesis wheelsets. However, if you happen to’re after a zesty, rapid-feeling carbon wheel that’s comfy sufficient to journey all day and difficult sufficient to deal with a correct battering, this package deal is a sound funding. And whereas Enve hasn’t precisely reinvented the wheel itself, it’s performed sufficient to show this earlier cynic right into a agency believer.

Learn our check of Enve MTB Basis AM30 wheelset

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A lot better consolation than most rivals

Weight: 960g entrance, 1,965g rear | Inner rim width: 28mm | Ranking: 9/10

Professional: UST system is simple to arrange. Really feel quick and responsive.

Con: Particular spokes aren’t out there in all places. Not low cost for an alloy wheelset.

The entire package deal is absolutely stable and stiff when hammering berms or leaning onerous, however by no means overly spiky or jarring on repeated tough hits. Mavic’s worth is on the prime finish for an alloy wheelset, however the Deemax go actually rapidly up, down and alongside, so efficiency is sort of imperceptible from the quickest, most direct carbon hoops, plus you get consolation with a noticeably ‘boring’ really feel when trails actually need to pummel you.

Learn our check of the Mavic Deemax Professional Sam Hill wheelset

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How we examined the most effective mountain bike wheels

In addition to back-to-back testing wheels on the identical terrain below managed circumstances, we managed to do some uplifts on DH tracks to speed up journey time on these wheels. We’ve additionally had time on numerous check bikes with a few of the wheels right here and an opportunity to journey then everywhere in the nation.

We used the identical Maxxis tyres arrange tubeless (on the identical stress) for closing testing, and in addition swapped between wheelsets on the very same bike with mounted suspension settings and pressures. Intentionally utilizing a shorter-travel (120mm) bike additionally exaggerated suggestions and compliance impressions from wheels on rougher terrain.

How you can decide the most effective mountain bike wheels for you:

The perspective of reliability trumping each shiny new elements weight is a little bit of a theme in current MTB ‘vogue’ total. No person desires to wreck an important journey with a mechanical, so we largely subscribe to the concept right here at MBR too, but additionally reckon wheels are literally one space the place you’ll be able to have your cake and eat it too.

After-market wheels can massively enhance rolling velocity, dealing with, and acceleration. They’ll additionally profit grip, monitoring and luxury, which helps you rider sooner and safer within the hardest terrain. On prime of this, and flying within the face of this new-school perspective for robustness, the most effective wheels may also obtain these important efficiency beneficial properties with zero commerce offs when it comes to reliability and lifespan if you happen to select correctly.

With wheelsets higher than ever, the alternatives are plentiful, and these days you solely have to spend prime greenback for final (relatively than good) efficiency too.

Upgrading your wheels can have a much bigger affect on the way in which your bike rides than simply about another element alternative; we put 4 alloy and two carbon pairs to the check.

Shopping for a brand new pair of mountain bike wheels is a sizeable funding, however select correctly and it may possibly truly be one in all, if not, probably the most transformative upgrades to your using expertise.

On the floor, wheels merely roll and help tyres that cushion the bike from the terrain.
Dig deeper although, and completely different merchandise all switch energy variably, speed up at a variety of charges and conform to bumps uniquely. Freehub and hub designs affect sturdiness, serviceability and rolling resistance, whereas each rim responds otherwise to impacts. There’s loads to absorb.

Carbon-fibre rims are sometimes considered the last word wheel improve, however high-end extruded aluminium rims might be simply as gentle and supply an much more forgiving journey – actually many prime enduro racers nonetheless financial institution on alloy rims as a substitute of carbon.

Each supplies have benefits, however the common consensus is that carbon ‘ought to’ produce a more durable and rounder wheel, though the flipside of that is that they will fail catastrophically, whereas an alloy rim could also be briefly repairable – sufficient to get you residence. Our expertise is that trendy carbon rims not often break, whereas alloy rims can ding or dent comparatively simply which might trigger tubeless tyres to leak air and lose their seal. General, it’s onerous to attract common conclusions about both materials – as ever, it comes right down to the design and development of particular merchandise.

When you’re going to the difficulty and expense of upgrading although, your new hoops higher enhance efficiency or what’s the purpose, proper? The after- market packages right here ought to noticeably enhance rolling velocity, dealing with, and acceleration over cheaper, inventory wheels, and if you happen to store correctly you’ll be able to have the most effective of each worlds, balancing quick and zingy towards energy and luxury.

The recognition of longer-travel enduro bikes and sooner and extra technical tracks means wheels get abused greater than ever. This partly explains the sector’s bias in direction of energy and toughness over weight saving and most effectivity. Weight remains to be an important issue, nevertheless, when it comes to rolling velocity, acceleration and fewer rotating mass to pull uphill and we’re ceaselessly shocked by wheel assessments downplaying this side.

These days there’s a plethora of nice wheels to select from; the set that most closely fits your wants will rely on the compromise between value and efficiency that issues most to your using fashion and terrain.

Weight

Lighter wheels speed up and decelerate sooner, change path faster and make climbing simpler. It’s not that straightforward although, as wheel roundness and stiffness are elements too, plus the physics concerned with rotating mass and centrifugal forces means weight nearer to the surface edge makes extra distinction, so a heavier wheel with a proportionally lighter rim can nonetheless spin up to the mark sooner.

Spoke depend and design

Further spokes add energy, but additionally weight, and may cut back consolation when it comes to bump swallowing. They’ll seemingly enhance resistance to twisting or lateral flex, improve total energy and sturdiness and may guarantee a wheel stays tighter and more true longer too.

Any spokes chosen need to match finances constraints and may use completely different gauges, buttings (thicker and thinner zones to save lots of weight) and profiles to tune journey high quality.

Proprietary spokes are sometimes more durable to switch and supply.

Rim width

Most trendy rims have develop into wider. The additional room inside permits the sidewalls of broader, grippier and extra comfy tyres to take a seat naturally and inflate as producers meant. Rim materials, form and depth even have a marked affect on affect energy, stiffness and compliance.

Loads of new tubeless rims forego a bead hook to save lots of weight and increase sidewall resilience, and it’s now accepted tubeless tyres mount, keep inflated and stay secure with a mess of quirky rim profiles.

Bearings and sealing

How easily (and in the end how briskly) wheels spin is carefully linked to bearing high quality and design. UK rides typically occur in moist circumstances the place grit and crud can get inside hubs and eat right into a treasured funding. Balls and bearing casing specification, rubber seals, and grease all impact lifespan, however higher sealing may also add friction, which reduces rolling velocity.

Beware particular bearing sizes and fiddly designs which are a faff to service too. Cup and cone (open) bearings are nonetheless frequent in Shimano hubs and spin effectively, however require extra taking care of.

Engagement or decide up

Most hub designs use a pawl system of some description whereby small steel ‘hooks’ interact right into a ratchet to drive the hub, then disengage to permit the hub to freewheel. Completely different designs have their very own ranges of drag (resistance to spinning freely) whereas not pedalling and engagement (measured in levels of rotation).

A sooner decide up means energy is delivered faster; particularly helpful for technical climbing the place decrease gears and better torques imply responsiveness is essential. Sooner engagement can eat into sturdiness and energy, since splines or ratchet enamel first must be smaller to be nearer sufficient collectively to allow it.

Guarantee

Particularly essential for carbon wheels, the place a failure is extra prone to be absolute relatively than a ding or dent, guarantee could make or break a candy deal. The most effective warranties will minimise bike downtime and problem so learn any small print fastidiously and ask questions before you purchase.