Bicycle Rims, Hubs, Spokes & Rim Tapes — A UK Wheel Building Guide

Your wheels are the most performance-critical components on your bike. Whether you're replacing a damaged rim, upgrading your hubs, or building a custom wheelset from scratch, understanding the key components helps you make the right choices.

Rims — Width, Depth, and Material

Rim width affects tyre compatibility and handling. Wider rims (internal width 19mm+) support wider tyres and improve cornering stability. Rim depth affects aerodynamics — deeper rims are faster in a straight line but more affected by crosswinds. Shallow rims are lighter and more versatile for everyday riding.

• Aluminium rims — durable, affordable, and easy to true. The go-to choice for most riders.
• Carbon rims — lighter and more aerodynamic, but expensive and require carbon-specific brake pads if using rim brakes.

Check rim compatibility with your tyre width and brake type (rim brake vs disc brake rims are not interchangeable).

Hubs — The Heart of Your Wheel

Hubs house the bearings that allow your wheel to spin. Key considerations are:

• Axle standard — quick release (QR), thru-axle (12mm or 15mm front, 12mm rear), or bolt-on. Must match your frame and fork.
• Freehub body — must be compatible with your cassette (Shimano/SRAM HG, XD, Microspline, or Campagnolo).
• Bearing type — cup and cone bearings are serviceable and long-lasting; cartridge bearings are easier to replace.

Spokes — Count, Material, and Gauge

More spokes = stronger, heavier wheel. Road wheels typically use 24–28 spokes; MTB wheels 28–32. Double-butted spokes (thicker at the ends, thinner in the middle) offer a good balance of strength and weight. Stainless steel spokes are the standard choice for durability.

Rim Tapes

Rim tape covers the spoke holes inside the rim, preventing the inner tube from being punctured by sharp edges. Always replace rim tape when building new wheels or switching to tubeless. Tubeless-specific rim tape creates an airtight seal and is wider and more robust than standard tape.

Browse our rims, hubs, spokes and tapes to find the right components for your next wheel build.