WHEELS AND TYRES

Disc or rim brakes?

• Disc: the norm on recent bikes. Axles are usually thru-axles: 12x100 mm at the front and 12x142 mm at the rear. The rotor mounts with Center Lock or 6 bolts.
• Rim: on older bikes, with 9x100 mm quick releases at the front and 10x130 mm at the rear. The rim is the braking surface.

A “Disc” wheel cannot be fitted to a rim-brake bike, and vice versa.

Freehub body

• Shimano HG road (11-speed): takes Shimano 11-speed road cassettes and most 12-speed ones.
• SRAM XDR: for SRAM 12-speed road cassettes.
• Campagnolo: for Campagnolo cassettes, including the 13-speed Ekar for gravel (N3W body).

On many wheels, the freehub body can be changed separately.

Internal rim width

• 17 to 21 mm: road, for 25 to 30 mm tyres.
• 21 to 25 mm: gravel, for 35 to 50 mm tyres, often tubeless.

A wider rim supports the tyre better and lets you run lower pressure, for more comfort and grip.

Rim depth

• 25 to 35 mm: versatile and light, ideal in the mountains and on gravel.
• 40 to 50 mm: a good balance between aerodynamics and weight.
• 55 mm and more: fast on the flat, but more sensitive to crosswinds.

Aluminium or carbon?

Aluminium is tough and affordable, perfect for training and gravel. Carbon allows deep, light and stiff rims for more speed and sharper acceleration.

Frequently asked questions

See also: Road drivetrain · Road brakes · Road frames