The FlowMountain bikes are considered as one of the most durable bicycles because of the way they are designed and constructed. The frame, pedals, and handles are molded for fast and hard riding, but the wheels should be of utmost consideration. That being said, the best 29er wheelset for the money has to be lightweight and fast while still able to take the rigors of all surfaces and terrains.
As such, we took a look at some of the top-of-the-line 29er wheels. This way, you would be able to purchase the pair of wheels that would give you the best cycling experience.
Best 29er Wheelset for the Money: Our Top Picks
Wheelsets are what determine the toughness and durability of a mountain bike. The wheels are the foundation of the bike, and it sets up the speed and feel of each ride. We searched the market and found three models and carefully evaluated them by looking into each of their features, as well as benefits and drawbacks.
1. Mavic Rim 29er Mountain Bike Wheels
The Mavic 29er Mountain Bike Wheels is made with boxed alloy beams and Mavic XM119 rims. This wheelset also comes with a free pair of Continental Race King Performance 180 TPI folding bead tires.
The wheels have black stainless steel spokes: 32 spokes in the front and 32 spokes in the rear. They also feature smooth rolling Shimano m457 MTB QR hubs for disc brakes. These work well with six-bolt mount disc brakes.
The rim material is made of 6061 T6 aluminum with a double wall clincher. It also has a matt black color finish, and Presta makes the valve hole.
The Shimano hubs are compatible with 7, 8, 9, and 10-speed cassettes, although 7-speed riders will need a spacer. They are made with aluminum alloy with smooth ball bearings.
The axles are crafted with CrMo steel and are hollow which allow skewers. They have a spacing of 135 millimeters in the rear and 100 in the front.
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Pros:
- Lighter and less messy rims
- Strong and durable wheel spikes
- Multiple hub compatibility
- Complimentary folding bead tires
Cons:
- Manual release hubs on both front and rear wheels
- Tires are not tubeless ready
- Cassettes can be loose when spaced
2. CyclingDeal WTB STP i25 Tubeless Mountain Bike QR Wheelset
The WTB STP i25 Tubeless Mountain Bike Wheelset is built by hand, and the spokes of each wheel are fully extended by a pulling machine to ensure quality, authentic wheels. The wheels have a size of 29 inches by 2.2 inches.
The Novatec D481SBT front hub weighs 287 grams, and the Novatec D482TSBT rear hub weighs 476 grams. These hubs feature the quick-release gauge 13 valve and they are compatible with 8, 9, 10, and 11 speeds. On the other hand, the inner tubes of the wheels are Kenda 1.9 and 2.3 FV48.
Both wheels have two sealed bearings, and the axle material is S45C. The internal rim width is 25mm, and the rim size designation is 25-559.
These Continental X-King tires have disc brakes that are compatible with six-bolt disc brakes. The wheelset has folding beads, ProTection coating, and made with BlackChili compound. Additionally, the product has an approximate total weight of 441 grams or 9.77 pounds.
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Pros:
- Durable and handcrafted
- Fully extended spokes
- Can be used for any terrain
- Hubs in the front and back are easy to release
Cons:
- Needs additional gear for 11-speed cassettes
- Needs spacing for a seven-speed cassette
- Some tires can leak some air when set up as tubeless at the seam
3. CyclingDeal WTB STP i25 Tubeless Mountain Bike 15×100 and QR Wheelset
Coming in at a higher price and with a total approximate weight of 4,092 grams or 9.02 pounds, this is a lighter version of the second product we looked at earlier. Also, instead of having QR, the front wheel comes in at 15 by 100 millimeters. Nonetheless, the wheels have a size of 29 by 2.2 inches.
Likewise, this is hand-built, and the spokes are also fully extended. The rims feature WTB STP i25 disc brakes and they have a black Anodized tubeless compatible system.
Each wheel has 32 stainless-steel spokes, and the front hubs are made from Novatec Hub D041SB-15 with an alloy disc J-Hook and two sealed bearings. The rear hub is crafted with Novatec Hub D482TSBT, as well as alloy disc J-Hook and two sealed bearings.
The axle material is Shimano Sram that is compatible with 9, 10, and 11-speed cassettes. These Continental X-King folding tires are made with BlackChili compound, and the inner tubes are of the Kenda 1.9 and 2.3 FV48.
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Pros:
- Fully extended spokes
- Rims are lighter and with less mass (no QR hubs)
- Has a black anodized tubeless compatible system
- Durable and handcrafted
- Made with great attention to detail
Cons:
- Needs additional gear for 11-speed cassettes
- Needs spacing for a seven-speed cassette
- Some tires can leak some air when set up as tubeless at the seam
- Manual release hubs
Conclusion
All of these 29er bike wheels are designed for riding outdoors, whether it is gravity, cross country, or mountain riding. They are all made with durable materials that can take on all kinds of terrains and surfaces.
Hence, they offer essentially the same thing in terms of quality and performance. The price range is also not that far apart.
Both WTB STP i25 wheels are essentially the same. The only difference is the other wheelset has different Novatec hubs.
One set has quick release hubs while the other has to be released manually. While it can be an inconvenience not having QR (quick release) hubs, it actually takes away weight and space, and it adds to the durability and versatility of the bike itself.
On the other hand, the Mavic Rim 29er Mountain Bike Wheels is made with lighter and smaller QR hubs, but the materials in the tires and rims are of better quality. As such, we chose the Mavic Rim 29er Mountain Bike Wheels is the best 29er wheelset for the money that you can get.
Overall, this wheelset is lighter, more durable, and has better hubs and rims. The price may be slightly higher than the other wheelsets, but it will make up for it in the long run.
