How To Choose The Right Bike Wheels? | EMTB Wheel Guide

With the debate between wheel sizes raging on for some time now, it seems that less attention has been paid to the actual mechanics of the EMTB & MTB wheels themselves! From the construction methods, measurements and materials there's a whole heap of factors to look at when choosing your next EMTB wheelset!

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What do you look for when choosing a set of EMTB wheels!? Let us know your tips down below! 👇

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[embn]

What do you look for when choosing a set of EMTB wheels!? Let us know your tips down below! 👇

[downhill]

I love when people talk about compliance, more compliance equals more fatigue, if you want more compliance out of your 36 spoke wheel you can adjust the spoke tension. The fact is 36 spoke wheels are stronger, also well made hand built wheels are better every time.

[gibbykirwan]

I run Mavic E-Deemax on my kenevo & Mavic E-Xa on my levo. Love the sound of their hubs & their wheels have NEVER failed me.

[_bamps_]

You forgot to mention the 1501 HX wheels (aluminium rim). Bargain wheel set 👍🏽

[krusch]

I disagree with 28 spokes giving the same strength as 32 or 36. After two rear wheels on my levo (first original then rebuilt with thicker spokes and stronger rim) i went 32 spokes, zero issues since. I might break a spoke sometimes caused by obsticles in terrain. But then i still have 31 left for the rest of the ride. In front i havent had any issues with stock setup 28 spoke wheel. So if rear wheel brakes or i wanna upgrade. I think til even go 36 on the rear, cause why not...

[Vodafonev]

The HIGHLIGHT of the DT Swiss wheels (hubs) is the RATCHET system!!! And in the Hybrids the steel ratchet cogs on the steel freehub! Compared to the other brands this is the real advantage of DT in terms of durability for an eBike (IMO)... I was hoping to see more of this comparison and how forces are distributed BETTER on a ratchet system compared to a pawl system, specially beneficial on eBikes!!!

[Tony_P]

I'd be interested to know more about the different freehub interfaces (HG, XD, microspline), which manufacturers offer steel bodies and alloy carriers on cassettes and finally, which combinations of these are the best for EMTB use.
There's a video idea for you.

[kevdodd]

ive just bought a set of mavic E dee max wheels 🙂🙂🙂🙂🙂

[jbcookiii]

Onyx rear hub with shimano 12 speed cassette and chain. This is the setup every single ebike should have - Instant engagement, slight elasticity when torqueing hard on crankarms, and the ability to shift while under load. Its fabulous to ride.

Rims should be considered a wear item, they are going to break. If you must have carbon, get a set of Santa Cruz reserve rims - buy once cry once, best warranty in the industry. Otherwise, any good brand AL rim will work fine until you break it.

Source: a bike mechanic in Moab

[Landogarder]

The main reason for longevity for a wheel is equal spoke tension (specially on the drive side) this is the main reason that hand build wheels by a good wheelbuider outperform machined wheels.

[denesk]

So what about eyelets? I have seen somewhere, that a good wheel should have individual inserts instead of just a hole. That allows the nipple to slightly rotate, which eliminates the bend at the very end of the spoke. And that's where spokes break ALL THE TIME.

If you observe your wheel (unless it has eyelets), you will see that there is a bend at the very end. The nipple comes out 90 degrees from the wheel, then the spoke slightly bends towards either side of the flange.

This creates extra stress. And that's where the spokes break.

Thoughts ?

[captainkette]

Guys i tried out the Mavic E-deemax s version, great wheels and one of the must have on my list if the the Stock wheelset ist broken.

I wish you could show us a great Test, same Bike different Wheelmanufactures.
Same for brakes and other stuff.

[danielreynolds]

(I'm not affiliated at all but ...) I bought myself a set of the hx 1501 aluminium from CRC for only £350. Proper 240 ratchet hub, bargain! I'm not an e-bike rider but thought they would be good for longevity

[MrMtrent]

On the 'Teal' 20" wheel bike, what is the lowest seat the top of the seat will go

[SAA]

does the profile of the rim make much difference ?

like how some have a web each side inside the inner layer eg profile on DT swiss E593 vs E512 ? ( disregard the width difference )

[rickywoods]

I keep braking hubs over and over. I just switched ti a double ratchet sun ringle bubba hub with it set up for as strength instead of gighwr engagement and i just blew outnthe ratchet syatem .. please recommend the strongest around becuase i has went through multiple higher end hubs . Im thinking of maybe teying a kris king hub

[martinsalharrisocou]

This says very little about how to choose wheels. Its a load of technical waffle showcasing DT Swiss ones without even really explaining what the differences are.

[jamesw]

FR541 is the best wheel for smashing on an Ebike.

[denesk]

So what spokes are these wheels running exactly and where are they available?

My favourite on-line outlet lists these wheels (rear only) at $500 and the only info there is this:

E-bike specific straight pull spokes are built with a 3-cross pattern

Then DT lists "Alpine" spokes as e-bike spokes, but they are J-bend...

[thewrx]

what happened to the OG HX1501 Hybrid? thought that was the top of the line aluminum 240hub dtswiss wheel?