Mtb Wheels

Mountain biking is great fun but tough on equipment, especially wheels. A mountain bike, or MTB front wheel takes a lot of punishment on fast downhill, rough terrain and it isn't uncommon for this wheel to buckle or a rim to be dented under high-speed runs.

Of course technology is now playing a part in reducing the number of wheels a mountain biker goes through. By using alternative materials such as carbon fibre, wheels are getting lighter and stronger than the older steel wheel.

For instance, to enhance the structural strength of a bike, mountain bike mag wheels are now a popular option. You may remember mag wheels from BMX stunt bikes in the 1980's. Now they are being used for mountain biking as the wheel of a MTB comes under similar forces to that experienced in free-style BMX riding.

Varying in size from 20 to 29 inches, size 26 mountain bike wheels are considered the standards for most competition events. These wheels usually use tubeless rims to be able to run lower pressure to increase grip/traction in difficult terrain.

Many riders have either spare wheels or at least an inner tube in a competition situation in case of punctures (you can fit an inner tube into a tubeless wheel in an emergency).

Disc brakes are likely to be located on both a mountain bike rear wheel and front wheel and although make the bike heavier mean the brake is less likely to be effected by rain or mud.