Bicycle wheels - Complete guide

Wheels are one of the most important elements of a bicycle. Their quality and type significantly affect the bike's performance and riding experience. In this comprehensive guide we will go over all aspects of bicycle wheels in detail:

• Anatomy of the wheel: components and terminology
• Types of wheels: road, MTB, city bike, etc.
• Rims: materials, sizes and profiles
• Spokes and nipples
• Hubs: types and fixing systems
• Tires: sections, tread and pressure
• Inner tube and valves
• Braking systems: rim, disc or drum
• Wheel parameters and measurements
• Assembly and maintenance
• Accessories: tires, fenders, wheel guards
• Tips for choosing wheels
• The best wheel brands on the market

Let's find out in detail all aspects of this indispensable component for every bicycle.

1. Anatomy of the Bicycle Wheel

Let's begin by looking in detail at the components that make up a bicycle wheel.

A wheel consists of:

• Circle (or rim): is the main body, circular in shape, connecting all other elements.
• Spokes: are the thin metal bars that join the rim and hub. They transfer force from the hub to the rim.
• Nipples (or nipples): threaded elements used to attach spokes to the rim and adjust their tension.
• Hub: is the central element of the wheel that connects it to the frame and to which the sprocket set is attached. It contains the braking mechanism (in the drum version) and the bearings.
• Tire: consists of the tread, sidewalls and heel. It provides grip and cushioning.
• Inner tube: present inside the tire, serves to maintain inflation.
• Protective tape or fleece: is applied to the inside of the rim to protect the inner tube.

2. Types of bicycle wheels

There are various types of bicycle wheels, which differ in features and purpose of use:

• Road wheels: thin rims, small section spokes, small hubs. Very light, suitable for high speeds.
• MTB wheels: reinforced rims and spokes, wide hubs. Designed for off-road use. Increased grip and impact resistance.
• City bike wheels: high-strength rims, strong spokes, hubs with integrated drum. For daily use in the city.
• Racing wheels: high-profile rims, aerodynamic spokes, integrated hubs. They minimize air friction at high speeds.
• BMX wheels: small but very strong rims and spokes and reinforced hubs. For stunts and evolutions.
• Folding wheels: rims and spokes that can be closed. For folding bikes and easy transportation.

The choice depends on the type of bicycle and how it is to be used.

3. Wheel rims

The rim is the main element that determines the characteristics of the wheel. Let's analyze the materials, sizes and profiles of rims.

Materials:

• Aluminum: light but strong alloy. Most widely used due to its quality-to-weight ratio.
• Carbon fiber: very high strength for minimal weight. For top-of-the-line wheels.
• Steel: traditional, heavier but with high strength.

Rim size:

• Diameter: ranges from 24″ on MTBs to 28″ on road bikes. Critical size for bike compatibility.
• Width: affects the grip of the tire. From 25 mm in time trial wheels, up to 30-40 mm in MTBs.

Circle profiles:

• High profile: V- or U-shaped section, improves aerodynamics at high speeds.
• Low profile: almost flat section, more robust and suitable for off-road.
• Concave profile: centrally reinforced, increases rigidity and stability.

4. Spokes and nipples

Spokes perform the function of connecting the hub with the rim by transferring force by means of the tension to which they are subjected.

Ray materials:

• Steel: traditional, cheap and strong. Heavier.
• Aluminum: very light alloy but prone to breakage.

Beam characteristics:

• Profile type: round section, blade or aerodynamic. Affects resistance.
• Diameter: the larger it is, the stiffer and stronger the beam will be. 2 mm the most common.
• Length: determines the tension of the spokes and varies with the diameter of the wheel.
• Number of spokes: usually 24-32, racing wheels have up to 40.

Nipples are the threaded components that tighten and tension the spokes to the rim. They can be stretched to adjust tension.

5. Hubs

The hub houses the bearings inside it and forms the core of the wheel. Here are the main types:

• Rear hub: stronger and wider, houses the sprocket pack and gear mechanisms.
• Front hub: small size, usually houses the braking system.
• Drum brake hub: with integrated brake drum.
• Disc brake hub: designed for disc attachment.

Main hub fastening systems:

• Through-bolt: crosses the hub longitudinally, tightening it with nuts at the ends.
• Quick locking: the hub attaches to the fork with a quick-release lever.
• Thru-axle attachment: the pin is constrained to the frame and passes through the hub bore.
• Thru-axle attachment: pivot integral with the frame that crosses the hub by tightening it.

6. Tires

Tires influence the bike riding experience quite a bit. Let's analyze in detail:

Tread types:

• Smooth tread: smooth on asphalt, for road use.
• Taxed: deep tread blocks, maximum grip on rough terrain.
• Semi-taxed: compromised between the previous two.

Sections and measurements:

• High section: wider tire, better cushioning.
• Lowered section: lower rolling and aerodynamic friction.
• Wheel diameter/width (inches): e.g. 26 x 2.125 for MTB

Materials and construction:

• Anti-puncture fabrics: reinforced with Kevlar or Vectran to resist cuts.
• Folding casing: folding sidewalls for clincher tires.
• Tubeless: no inner tube, use internal liquid sealant.

7. Inner tube

Contained inside the tire, its function is to maintain proper inflation. Composed of:

• Air chamber body made of highly elastic synthetic rubber
• Valve (Presta, Schrader, Dunlop and others): allows for inflation and deflation.
• Protective valve cap: prevents dirt from entering.

Tube types:

• Standard: without side flexibility, for 19 mm wide rims.
• Reinforced: with puncture protection under the tread.
• Extra light: without reinforcement, for tight circles on the road.
• Tubeless: designed for tubeless tires.

8. Braking systems

There are three main types of braking system for bicycle wheels:

• Pad brake on rim: calipers squeeze the rim on both sides.
• Disc brake: calipers clamp a metal disc integral with the hub.
• Drum brake: shoes inside the hub compress the drum.

Disc brakes are the highest performing and most progressive. They allow stable and powerful braking.

Drum brakes are inexpensive and require little maintenance, but there is little modulating braking.

Rim brakes are a good compromise for road use.

9. Parameters and measurements

Let's look at the main parameters and measurements related to bicycle wheels:

• Wheel diameter: expressed in inches or as a ratio (e.g., 650c).
• Rim width: measured in mm, affects comfort and grip.
• Tire section: width x diameter expressed in inches or mm.
• Overall outer diameter: sum of rim and inflated tire.
• Wheel weight: determinant of road performance.
• Hub attachment type: main standards are QR, thru-axle or thru-axle.
• Number of spokes and their arrangement: 16, 20, 24 or more spokes with cross patterns.

Choose sizes based on frame, use, and desired performance.

10. Assembly and maintenance

For proper wheel assembly and maintenance, follow these guidelines:

• Always tighten nuts or locking levers to the recommended torque.
• Center the rim well with respect to the brakes, checking clearances on both sides.
• Maintain proper spoke tension by acting on the nipples with the appropriate wrench.
• Inflate the tires to the optimum pressure indicated on the sidewall.
• Check wheel centering and tread wear condition periodically.
• Clean the rim with degreasing products for optimum adhesion of brake pads.
• Lubricate bearings and internal hub mechanisms with spray oil.
• Avoid violent impacts on wheels that could damage components.

11. Accessories

We analyze the most useful accessories for improving and protecting bicycle wheels:

• Tires: slipped on the tire, they protect it from cuts and punctures.
• Fenders: prevent water and mud from damaging transmission components.
• Spoke guards: elastic plastic ring that slips over the rim to protect the spokes.
• Rim protection tape: prevents the inner tube from getting holes between the spokes.
• Pressure sensors: wireless indicators that warn if tire pressure drops.
• Adhesive patches: allow quick repairs in case of tire puncture.
• Led lights: useful position light visible on the tires even at night.
• Odometer: small wireless odometers that can be attached to spokes.

12. How to choose the right wheels

What are the factors to consider when choosing wheels for your bike?

• Bike type and intended use: strong wheels for off-road, light for speed.
• Size and compatibility with frame and brakes: measure carefully.
• Specific front and rear wheels: the rear needs to be sturdier.
• Performance needed: light weight for performance, durability for off-road.
• Balancing quality and budget: always prefer quality for such a critical element.
• Personal style: wheel choice affects the overall aesthetics of the bike.

Try the bike with the new wheels before final purchase to assess compatibility.

13. The best brands of wheels

Which are the best bicycle wheel manufacturers? Here are the top brands:

• Mavic: renowned French manufacturer, cutting-edge materials.
• Campagnolo: legendary wheels, the top for racing bikes.
• Fulcrum: Italian excellence for sports enthusiasts.
• Shimano: reliable and balanced wheels, very popular.
• DT Swiss: Swiss manufacturer of the highest precision.
• Roval: Specialized's brand of high-performance wheels.
• Zipp: specializing in ultra-high-tech chrono wheels.
• ENVE: 100% carbon wheels made in the USA. The ultimate for many enthusiasts.
• Easton: leading brand for strength and lightness.

In addition to the brand name, it is important to always evaluate the quality of materials and workmanship of each specific wheel model.