Carbon Mountain Bike Wheels - Review and Considerations

For many riders, upgrading your mountain bike with carbon wheels is the ultimate treat. While carbon MTB wheels are certainly lust worthy in many ways, they aren't always the best way to spend money or even the best performing wheel option. That's why we put together this list of carbon MTB wheels for you to check out. Some of these carbon wheels we love, others we don't. Between those are wheels that just work fine, spin round and look nice, but maybe they wouldn't be the best way to spend your hard-earned dollars.

Thanks to the help from Competitive Cyclist we were able to collect all these wheels, spend several months testing them all and put together this video. They have also given us 15% off discount code to share with our viewers, which is LOAMWOLF15 that will be applied to all applicable items.

0:00 | Competitive Highlight
1:06 | Intro
1:38 | Rim selection
2:44 | Rim Width
3:35 | Rim Depth
14:00 | Conclusion

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[superawesomefuntimego]

I've been super impressed with my carbon NOBL TR37's laced to i9 101's. 101's are not as slick as the Hydra's, but 4 degree engagement is still very good, they are much cheaper and I've had 0 issues with 101's on a couple different wheelsets over a couple thousand miles of riding. About 1800g for them taped and with valves is not super light, but not tanks either and at $1300 is a solid deal for a solid carbon wheelset. Tire install is super easy on the TR37's, even DD DHR II took barely a twist of the wrist to seat and sealed easily with a standard floor pump.

[jefferyharmon]

I ride 27.5” WeAre One Unions laced to Hydras. I can’t say enough great things about them. After destroying Race Face ARC30s over and over again at Mountain Creek I just sucked it up. They take the punishment and remain true with consistent spoke tension. Believe the hype!

[outsider]

Great video! I've always struggled with the cost/benefit aspect of carbon wheels. I've also had great luck with my workhorse alloy sets and I'm not too hard on wheels anyway. That said, I just pulled the trigger on a set of Light Bicycle wheels. I'm hoping that I'll ride them and be able to say "Oh, now I see what the fuss is all about with carbon wheels."

[discostu]

I have the cheaper (350 hubbed, same rims) Rovals on my Spur. You guys are completely right about the vertical compliance. My previous experience with carbon wheels was an ultra stiff set of Giant branded hoops which put me off and sent me back to alu. These Rovals are exceptionally smooth and comfy for the long technical XC / light trail rides which I do. 1+ recommended.

[mariov]

I have a pair of We are One Faction wheels (27mm internal width and 32 spoke build) which I built with Onyx hubs. The build was a replacement to my original Raceface ARC27 aluminum set which came of my 2018 Hightower. I find the We are One Faction to have an engaging and precise feel and at 6 foot and 200 lbs, I find them to have a nice balance of stiffness and compliance. I've tried the Reserves 30 and found them to be too stiff. I think when comparing Aluminum vs Carbon in my experience both have their attributes, and I enjoyed both sets, but weight of rider I believe has a lot to do on how a particular wheel feels. Keep the good content coming.

[slick-riq]

Awesome vid!

Factors I look at in order of priority:

1. That they look cool (Eg I like how with Nobl you can customize on order)

2. Warranty - has to be lifetime (is a proxy of durability)

3. Weight - if it’s as much as alloy, the price hit isn’t worth it

4. Rim width

[davidhenriksen]

After 30 years of riding, my Reserve 30s are the best upgrade I have ever put onto a bike. IMHO carbon wheels are the way to go. Match that with a no questions asked warrenty and this will probly be my last set of wheels.

[manabiker]

I've got the Roval SL wheels, I've always ridden Roval wheels, just because I have had such good luck with them, but thanx for confirming my choice, the lightness sold me, the way I can pick up speed, handle, and the ride, amaze me.. thanx again...

[mattschirle]

Would be interesting to hear how some of the new "Fusion Fiber" polymer carbon rims (e.g. Revel RW30, Evil Loopholes) stack up.

[thim]

Always thought about carbon wheels, but I always go for dt swiss with 350 hubs 36 tooth engagement. Most of my riding is full power ebike.

[DonnyRosko]

For me it is important for a wheelset to be able to handle a heavy rider (280lbs) riding heavy and not always smooth. Reliability, some flex (I ride in AZ) to assist in traction and price are important to me. I currently run enduro alloy wheels (spank 359 laced with hydras) and I just deal with the weight penalty.

[theedmondsept]

Hey Drew, I love the term "Shralping burms" I've been using that word for that same description on ripping on my surfboard, and never heard anyone else use that word, cool to hear it from you.
by the way, Todd loves the new Rail,

[captnhuffy]

Thanks. **Next wheel vid* : Reliability comes in first and second. Handling comes in third. and Price comes in four. Yes, rotating weight is important, and that is part of the handling aspect. Hits are getting bigger and bigger. Missed landing happen. Rocks. Harsh edges. Correct tire choice takes the edge off all other factors.

[gingerb]

Nice review, can you do a round up of aluminium wheel sets?

[GokkunGuru]

I’m on Stan’s Crest MK4 with i9 101 hubs but will be getting NOBL TR32 with i9 Hydra soon

[Alexandros_Patsialidis]

Great vid!
Please include some ENVEs for the next one 🙏🏼

[Jacob]

Compiance
Cost
Weight

Roval Control’s are awesome

they are the best, love Competitive Cyclist, Josh, my geared, is awesome!

[jonathanhowson]

Zipp moto3 on the front. You get loads of grip, but they are not strong enough for the rear. Santa Cruz Reserve for the rear. Pretty strong and very good warranty service with loads of dealers, at least here in the UK. I knocked 14 seconds off my previous PB first run on the Zipps. Unfortunately the rear rim only lasted 2 months before cracking. Warranty was good from Zipo though.

[Rawkus]

I am a little surprised with the lack of weight saving over Alloy.