(Read article below, watch full video below, OR go to 6:00 min on the video below to see how to order the right custom wheels for you)
In the world of Mountain Biking, everyone is always looking for the next upgrade. What is the newest technology? What is the best upgrade for my bike? There is no doubt that many would say that wheels are the best upgrade for any Mountain Bike. Particularly, carbon wheels.
Carbon wheels are light, and they are light where it counts... rotating mass. You will be faster on carbon wheels!
Carbon wheels are strong, and they stay true longer and are much stiffer than aluminum rim wheels. Carbon wheels will be lower maintenance!
Carbon wheels are wide, and this means you can run wider tires and run lower pressures for better feel and cornering. Carbon wheels will make your bike feel better!
The bad part is, carbon wheels can be expensive, but the good news is, we at DIY Carbon Bikes are here for you to find some amazing light carbon wheels at an affordable price.
Which DCB Carbon Wheels Are Right For Me?
Wheel Diameter
When choosing MTB wheels on our website, the first question you want to address is diameter. If you already have a 29er bike, then you will need 29er wheels, but if you have a 27.5 bike, you will need 27.5 wheels. If you are building a bike, you must decide if you want a 29er or 27.5 frame, then you can select wheels to match.
Wheel Type
The next question you want to address is the type of wheel for your riding conditions and style. We offer three types of wheels: XC/Trail, AM/Enduro, and Ultralight wheels. XC/Trail and Ultralight wheels are wheels that are best for rocky and rooty trail conditions and normal to small sized jumps and drops. AM/Enduro rims are meant for the gnarliest conditions and big jumps and drops. If you weigh over 260ibs or have a history of destroying rims, AM/Enduro rims will be better. If you weigh under 220ibs and are looking for the biggest race advantage on a largely dedicated race bike, then the Ultralight wheels might be best. For most others, XC/Trail are the best.
Hubs
Once you have selected the diameter and type of wheel, the wheels are split by hub. All of our hubs use the same rims, but all of our rims can use different hubs. In order to choose your wheelset, you will want to choose which hub you want them built up on.
The most affordable hubs are the Novatec hubs. The hubs are still very quality and also light, but are not quite as low maintenance and high engagement as other hubs. If you are looking for a quality build at the best price, Novatec hubs may be the hubs for you.d
The most low maintenance hubs are the DT Swiss 350 hubs. These hubs are light, high quality, and easy to swap out parts. There is also an option for an upgraded high engagement ratchet. DT Swiss hubs though are a bit more expensive. If you have a history of breaking hubs, or just want the strongest and low maintenance hubs, DT Swiss 350 hubs may be the hubs for you.
Both the Fastace Hubs and the Bitex hubs are the best hubs for high engagement. Both of the hubs offer 3 degrees of engagement, with 120 rotating points. High engagement hubs are good for technical climbing where there is frequent short bursts to overcome an obstacle. In these situations the high engagement hubs allow quick, short, pedal bursts without pedal strikes. The Fastace hubs are a little heavier and less expensive; the Bitex hubs are a little lighter and more expensive. If your looking for the highest engagement hubs at the best price, Fastace or Bitex hubs may be the hubs for you.
Hope Pro 4 hubs are high quality and the most blingy with a great look and super high quality bearings and driver. The Hope Pro 4 hubs are a little heavier and more expensive. If your looking for the highest quality blingy hubs with the best look, Hope Pro 4 hubs may be the hubs for you.
For dedicated XC/Trail racing in Non-Boost spacing the Novatec 411/412 hubs are the lightest hubs. DT 240 hubs are the strongest hubs in Boost that are the lightest. But, DT 240 hubs are by far the most expensive hubs we offer. If you are looking for the lightest hubs for XC/Trail riding, the Novatec 411/412 or DT 240 hubs may be the best for you.
Rims
Once on the specific item, your first choice is the rim. Simply put, you can't go WRONG with any rim, if your diameter is right. Basically any MTB tire will fit on any rim, however, certain rims might be more ideal for certain types of riding.
Rims are first listed by the outside width. A 35mm rim has a outside width of 35mm. The rim is then listed by the i that refers to internal width, the d which refers to depth, and Asym or Sym which refers to if the rim is asymmetrical or symmetrical.
2.1 to 2.25 tires run ideally on a 27-30mm (22-25i) rim. 2.3-2.6 tires run ideally on a 35-37mm (29-31i) rim. BUT, if you wanted to slightly climb faster and that is your priority, 27-30mm rims will be better. If you would rather descend and corner slightly better then the 35-37mm rims will be ideal.
Asymmetric rims will be slightly stiffer for slightly more precise cornering and descent, whereas symmetrical rims will be slightly more comfortable and forgiving allowing for a slightly more comfortable descent.
Hub Spacing
When selecting front and rear hub spacing, you simply need to find the spacing that your current bike has, or the frame that you will be building up. If your having trouble look at your manufacturer website, take out a tape measure to get your measurements, or run your bike by a local bike shop so they can tell you the spacing.
Spokes
There are two spoke options for MTB carbon DCB wheels. The Pillar 1420 spokes are basically 100g lighter and just as strong as the Standard Straight Gauge spokes, but they are a $60 upgrade. The Standard Spokes are heavier and also easier to find and replace. If you regularly break spokes or if you just want a more economical build, go with the Standard Spokes. If you are looking for a lighter building with little to no sacrifice in stiffness or strength, select the Pillar 1420 spokes.
Driver
The driver that you need depends on the cassette that you have on your bike. If you have a Shimano 9-11 speed driver train and cassette you will simply need the Standard Driver. If you have a SRAM 11-12 speed drivetrain and cassette you will select XD driver UNLESS your small gear on the cassette is 11t rather than 10t like the PG1130 or Eagle NX cassette, they take a Standard Driver. The new Shimano 12 speed drivetrains take a new and rare driver called Microspline. Microspline is only available on our DT Swiss hubs.
Custom Options
For every wheel order you can customize by selecting decal color, nipple color, and rim finish... all of these are related to appearance only
I hope this helps you to decide as you choose your mountain bike wheels! Now, simply go to SHOP CARBON and began building your custom wheelset for the greatest upgrade on your bike!