Individual MTB Wheel Construction

The market for system wheelsets or prefabricated wheels for MTB is huge and covers a wide range of options. We at bc offer our own Loamer wheels – now in the brand-new second generation MK 2. From renowned manufacturers such as DT Swiss, Mavic or Shimano there are wheelsets to suit (almost) every taste. These days, a rich selection is now also available for E-mountain bikes. With that said, we’re going to give you ten reasons why a custom wheel can still be just right for you and your bike.

3. The wheel you’re looking for doesn’t exist

We are very proud of our wide selection, but there are some products just don't exist yet on the market. Bikepacking wheelsets are a good example. Does that sounds like marketing buzz? Well, it’s actually not. Crossover is a huge topic in the world of biking. Many people use their bikes for everyday life, sports and travel, all the more so since modern bikepacking bags combine multi-day tours with technically-demanding biking. So what does this have to do with wheels? It's simple: a hub dynamo out front as a power source, a rear hub as robust as possible and asymmetric rims that allow you to carry a maximum of two spoke lengths as spares. The result is the perfect adventure wheelset, which is guaranteed to be anything but off-the-rack, and which will perform perfectly on your daily commute.

4. You appreciate simplified technology and spare parts

Not every innovation works for every user. System wheelsets, for example, often use proprietary solutions or parts to create or combine specific characteristics. This can be a technical advantage, but it also has its disadvantages. When it comes to spare parts, such as straight pull spokes--which eliminate the potential weakness brought on by spoke bends--make quick repairs on the trail difficult and, unlike J-shaped spokes, are not available everywhere. Another example that polarizes mountain bikers is center lock technology, which connects the brake disc and hub using a multi-tooth mount rather than six bolts each. However, many modern system wheelsets come exclusively with center lock mounts for weight reasons and because of its foolproof mounting capability. On the other hand, this limits your choices in terms of brake discs and also makes repairs on the trail and emergency replacements more difficult. If finding spare parts and performing repairs easily are more important to you than counting grams or having the latest technology, then a custom wheelset with simple but effective parts promises long-term satisfaction.

7. You ride “mullet”

Riding “mullet” is a revelation to some mountain bikers. At the front wheel, you’ve got superior roll-over and excellent cornering traction with a 29”, and at the rear you’ve got stiffer and more agile handling with a 27.5”. Unfortunately, not many factory system wheelsets are currently available with this configuration – or have the option of buying the front and rear wheels separately. We may sound like a broken record at this point, but still: the bc original Loamer Mullet comes immediately to mind. Another alternative: invest in a custom build. That way you can ride "front big, back small," and also use different rims whenever you want, thus taking advantage of the potential from different wheel sizes. How about 29 x 2.5 inches on a 30” rim in the front, 27.5 x 2.8 inches on a 35” rim in the rear? "Full speed ahead!"

8. Your riding style can’t be put in a box

Mountain biking is a great sport for all people. However, manufacturers usually design their products for "average people" for good reasons. Meaning: not for mediocre riders, but for people whose body measurements are close to a targeted average. While this method of production may seem sensible, for some bikers, the lack of variety leaves them puzzled. While particularly lightweight bikers (and female bikers) often do not need the stability reserves of standard products at all, very strong, heavy or large people just as often push them to their limits. Again, a custom wheel is a great option. While lighter people might mix components from both road and MTB categories, powerhouses and heavyweights are more likely to go for more bulletproof options: heavy-duty rims, high spoke count, and hubs with few engagement points and massive pawls.

Digression:

Inserting spokes into a carbon rim? Always use a tension meter!

Carbon is a fantastic rim material: light, stable and, thanks to individual fibre layouts, with very specific properties that no other material can match. When building a wheel with a carbon rim yourself, however, you should exercise caution and be sure to use a tension meter. This way you avoid damage and, in extreme cases, breakage due to excessive spoke tension and achieve exactly the properties you want.