How to Build a Light Wheelset MT Bike

Light wheelsets make climbing mountains easier.

In the bicycle world, a "bike build" is described as the initial selection of the parts that will mount on a bicycle and typically has nothing to do with the actual assembly. Bike parts not assembled by a professional mechanic lose the manufacturer warranty, and it is this industry-wide policy that created the terminology of "assembly" and "build" among cyclists and mechanics. The most important part and the easiest place to save weight on a bicycle build is the wheelset, but there are certain guidelines to follow when selecting wheels. While there is a selection of expensive and exotic low-spoke-count lightweight wheels available, according to the folks at the Bike Tech website, it is difficult to beat the durability of 36-spoke wheels.

Things You'll Need

• Access to the internet
• Telephone

Instructions

Select a Wheelset to Meet Specific Needs

1. Determine the frame size limitations from the frame manufacturer. These dimensions are located in the manufacturer catalog or the bicycle owner's manual. If neither of these is available--perhaps the frame was purchased used--look up the manufacturer's contact info on the internet and call. If the fork is a separate manufacturer--perhaps it is a suspension fork--look up and contact that manufacturer as well. Ask the following questions: Is this a 29-inch or 26-inch mountain bike frame and fork? What are the widest tires accepted by the frame and fork? Are the frame and fork disc- brake specific, rim-brake specific or multi-brake compatible? Is the fork a standard hub mount, an oversized hub mount or a Lefty hub mount fork?

2. Determine the intended purpose of the bicycle. "Mountain bike" is a generic term that incorporates many different disciplines of off-road riding: cross country, downhill, dual slalom, dirt jump and freeride, to name a few. Without knowing what the frame was designed for and what the rider intends to do with it, difficulty arises when choosing a type of wheel hub and rim combo to suit the purpose.

3. Determine what components contact the wheel. A wheel must match up to component limitations. Examples: If a centerlock style disc brake is used instead of a bolt-on style disc brake, then the hub chosen for the wheelset must accept a centerlock style disc or a bolt-on disc sized to work with the size of the centerlock calipers. If the bike is compatible with rim brakes, any rim chosen for the wheelset must have a rim braking surface.

4. Determine the rider weight. A "light" wheelset may be too light to support a 300 pound rider. "Light" means nothing without a frame of reference. A large or heavy rider will need a heavier "light" wheelset than a 140 pound professional cross country racer.

5. Choose a wheelset that will fit the frame, intended purpose and component limitations and will support the weight of the rider. Never buy a wheelset just because it is light. If it will not hold up to the intended use or support the rider's weight, a "light" wheelset could quickly become an expensive addition to a cyclist's spare parts bin.

Tips & Warnings

• Visit a local bike shop to examine available wheelsets that will fit the limitations of the frame, fork and rider.

• Riders weighing over 200 pounds should not ride wheels with low spoke counts. Hiowever, 36-spoke wheels that are both strong and light are readily available.

• Assembly of a bicycle or a bicycle wheel by anyone other than a professional bicycle mechanic voids most manufacturer warranties in the cycling world.

References

• Evaluating High Performance Bicycle Wheels