Mountain Bike Wheels - The Differences and How to Choose

Mountain bikes have specific types of wheels, whichhas. Mountain bikes can have either standard tubed
are built (and used) differently than say, road bikes.tires, or the newer tubeless tires. Tubes have been
They generally come in three sizes, 24 inch, 26 inch,around for a long time, and are the old stand-by.
and 29 inch. 26 inch wheels are by far the mostThey're cheaper and fairly easy to replace.
common, though in recent years 29 inchers haveTubeless tires, however, offer certain advantages.
been gaining popularity.They are much less likely to rupture, which is
The majority of mountain bike wheels use innerimportant when riding on rough terrain. They also can
tubes, however tubeless wheels are gaining bothbe more easily adjusted, meaning you can set the
popularity and respectability. The advantages oftire pressure as low or high as you like. Lower
tubeless wheels are that they are far morepressure is generally recommended, as it means
adjustable, allowing for better traction, and they aremore of your tire is on the ground at one time,
less likely to puncture (though certainly not immunewhich means increased control.
to it). They also provide improved shock absorption.When buying a mountain bike, you should take note
You'll want wide tires for serious mountain biking,of the type of wheels it has, because it is very
because the wider the wheel is, the more contact itdifficult (and expensive) to switch between tube and
has with the terrain, and thus the more control.tubeless wheels. Do some research and decide which
Another thing to keep in mind is the kind of tubes ityou prefer, and buy accordingly.