Which mountain bike wheels suit me best? [Buyer's Guide]

Are you looking to upgrade your mountain bike and wondering which MTB wheels to go for? You’ve come to the right place! Upgrading your wheelset is the best way to instantly make your beloved mountain bike lighter, faster and a whole lot more reliable. We at Mantel understand, of course, that with all the technical jargon, it can sometimes be hard to see the wood for the trees. And so, in this blog, we will explain in simple language what you need to look out for when making a purchase. From the material and stiffness to the strength of the wheel and the benefits of tubeless riding - we’ll go through everything with you to help you find the perfect mountain bike wheels in one go and hit the most beautiful trails with confidence!

Carbon or aluminium?

It is the eternal and perhaps most fascinating debate on the trails: Do you go for the reliable robustness of aluminium or the unrivalled performance of carbon? Aluminium MTB wheels have been incredibly popular for many years, and that makes perfect sense because they are often a bit easier on your wallet and can take a beating. If you misjudge a tricky rock garden or a difficult drop, an aluminium rim might get a bit of a dent but nine times out of ten you’ll still be able to ride it home safely. Carbon wheels, on the other hand, are every ambitious mountain biker’s ultimate dream. They are significantly lighter, which you will notice straight away when you accelerate out of a tight hairpin bend or towards a steep climb. What’s more, carbon is fantastic to form and allows manufacturers to create wheels that offer razor-sharp and highly responsive handling. We fully understand that the higher price of carbon can be a bit of a barrier, but if you’re looking for that ultimate upgrade for your cross-country (XC) or trail bike, a carbon wheelset is worth every penny!

Shimano XT WH-M8100

RRP 259,-

From 199,-

View

Stiffness for control and comfort

When we talk about stiffness, it may sound a bit technical at first but it’s actually very simple to explain. A stiff wheel bends less sideways when you’re pedalling hard or throwing your bike sharply round a bend. For you, this means that power transfer is much more direct; all your energy is directed forwards, exactly where you want it to go. That said, on a mountain bike, you definitely don’t want a rock-hard, overly stiff wheel. After all, you’re riding on unpaved trails full of large roots, potholes and rocks. A little bit of give ensures that your wheels absorb those hard impacts for you. If they don’t, those shocks and vibrations are transmitted to your wrists and lower back and may cause fatigue and aches. So when choosing new wheels, it’s really all about finding that perfect balance. Fortunately, with modern mountain bike wheels, the top brands have got this spot-on for you: super-tight in the corners, yet forgiving and comfortable enough for hours in the saddle on rugged terrain.

Shimano Deore WH-MT500

RRP 109,99

From 80,95

View

The sturdier your wheels, the further you can push your limits

While we were just talking about stiffness, the strength of a wheel is a completely different matter, but just as important. Strength determines how much impact your wheels can withstand without breaking or bending beyond repair. This is hugely important when choosing your new set, because cross-country riders have very different requirements for their equipment than those who ride enduro or downhill trails every week. The strength of an MTB wheel is determined by a combination of factors: the thickness of the rim, the material, and, above all, the number of spokes and the way they are laced. A wheel with 32 spokes is generally stronger and can handle heavier impacts than an ultra-lightweight wheel with 24 spokes. So, when choosing your new wheels, always start from the question of what you will be using them for. If, for example, you want to make big jumps with confidence or are planning to visit bike parks, you may want to invest in a slightly heavier but rock-solid wheelset. It will give you the ultimate peace of mind on your bike!

Shimano Deore WH-MT601

RRP 129,99

From 89,95

View

Internal and external rim width can make all the difference

The rim width is perhaps the most important factor to consider when buying new mountain bike wheels. Whereas we used to tear through the woods on narrow 19 or 21 mm rims, we now see that wide is the new standard. For modern MTB tyres, whose width is often between 2.25 and 2.4 inches, you need a wider internal rim width, usually between 25 and 30 mm. Why is this so important? If your internal rim width is high enough, your tyre sits nicely round and stable on it. This prevents the tyre from twisting or "burping" (flipping over) when you turn sharply on low tyre pressure. The external rim width follows this size while also providing a robust sidewall that can withstand a fair bit of impact from stones. Once you’ve experienced the incredible stability and loads of extra grip from wide rims, we promise you will never want to go back to narrow ones!

Elitewheels Gnar XC

RRP 839,-

749,-

View

Tubeless riding is a must for every mountain biker

We have been shouting it from the rooftops with great enthusiasm for years in our Mantel Superstores: You absolutely must ride tubeless on a mountain bike!

Riding tubeless simply means that you ride without inner tubes. Instead, you use special valves, tubeless rim tape, and pour a liquid latex (sealant) into your tyres. This offers two massive advantages for your ride:

• Lower tyre pressure: Because you no longer have inner tubes, you can no longer pinch them against sharp stones (the infamous pinch flat). That lower pressure gives you incredible comfort and maximum grip on sand and mud.

• Self-healing punctures: The liquid latex automatically seals small holes from thorns or sharp flints for you while you continue to ride. Often, you won’t even notice that you have had a puncture!

Inflating a tubeless tyre for the first time may take a little bit of time and effort but that is nothing compared to the joy of hours of carefree mountain biking.

Tubeless mountain bike wheels

Hookless rims

"Hookless" is a relatively new technical term you hear more and more these days, especially when referring to higher-end and wider wheels. On a traditional rim, there is a small lip or hook on the inside that securely holds the bead of your tyre in place. With a modern hookless rim, the inside of the rim wall is completely straight. Why is this such a great development for mountain bikers? It makes the rim manufacturing process a lot simpler, allowing manufacturers to make the rim flange slightly thicker and much stronger. And it just so happens that the rim flange is the part that takes the hardest knocks from stones! The straight sidewall also ensures that your tyre fits even more smoothly and streamlined onto the rim. The only thing you need to bear in mind with hookless wheels is that you must only use tyres that are tubeless-ready and approved for hookless rims, as only these tyres will stay securely and safely in place on hookless rims.

Disc brakes for safety and control

We rarely see anything else on modern mountain bikes these days: the highly reliable disc brake. When you are happily tearing through mud, snow and puddles, you obviously want to be able to stop in time. Disc brakes deliver that consistent and powerful braking performance, with perfect modulation, no matter how dirty your wheels have become.

When choosing your new mountain bike wheels, the only thing you really need to look out for is how the brake rotor is mounted to the hub. Usually, this is a 6-bolt mount or Centerlock—a super convenient system that secures your rotor with a single lockring. In addition, virtually all modern MTB wheels now feature the wider Boost mounting standard for your thru-axles, which also makes the hubs and the wheels themselves a great deal stiffer.

Multiple brands for the highest quality

At Mantel, we’ve built up a huge range featuring only the best top brands, because we naturally want you to be able to head into the woods without a care in the world. Among these top brands, of course, is DT Swiss, the iconic brand known worldwide for their indestructible hubs featuring the patented Ratchet system; you know, that wonderful, loud rattling sound you hear when you stop pedalling for a moment! With their aluminium and carbon wheels, you get pure Swiss top quality.

Of course, we also carry premium brands such as Shimano, whose famous XT and XTR wheelsets offer incredible value for money and durability for any trail. And don’t forget innovative brands like Mavic, whose iconic Crossride wheels have been a staple in the MTB segment for years. We have the perfect set for every budget and every unique riding style, and we’ll be happy to help you find it!

Mavic Crossride FTS-X

RRP 115,-

From 98,95

View

Conclusion

Hopefully, it’s now a bit clearer to you which mountain bike wheels suit you best! Upgrading your MTB wheels is by far the best investment you can make in your bike. Whether you prefer the affordable durability of aluminium or the ultra-light and stiff properties of carbon, always look out for a wide internal rim width and opt for a tubeless setup for maximum grip and comfort. We have a huge range of fantastic brands ready for you. Order your ideal wheelset easily online via our website, or pop into one of our Mantel Superstores if you need some more advice!

Discover our full range of mountain bike wheels!