Road, MTB and BMX wheels

ETRTO Diameter: reading a rim size

The size of a rim is read using the ETRTO standard, referenced by ISO 5775: the key figure is the diameter of the tire bead seat, in millimeters. A six hundred twenty-two rim corresponds to the seven hundred format for road and gravel bikes, as well as the twenty-nine inches for mountain bikes. The five hundred eighty-four refers to twenty-seven and a half inches, while the five hundred fifty-nine refers to twenty-six inches. In BMX, the four hundred six rim, like the Ikon Ultralite, fits standard twenty-inch wheels, while the larger four hundred fifty-one corresponds to twenty-inch narrow tires, used on some racing BMX bikes. This diameter must always match that of the tire.

Other Wheel Parts

Wheels also come in:

• Hubs.
• Road Wheels.
• MTB Wheels.
• BMX Wheels.
• Gravel Wheels.
• Bearings.
• End Caps.

All wheels can be found on the wheels page.

Height and Carbon: Mavic Cosmic Road Rims

Mavic, founded in 1889 by Charles Idoux and Lucien Chanel, whose name summarises the Manufacture of Velocipede Articles Idoux and Chanel, has made the Cosmic its iconic road rim. The Cosmic SL, standing at forty-five millimeters high, is made from unidirectional carbon and offers twenty-three millimeters of internal width, compatible with tubeless, for tires of twenty-eight millimeters and more. A high rim cuts through the air on flat surfaces but offers more lateral wind resistance. The Deadfast, also made of carbon, aims for the same performance, while the Mach1 double-walled rim, made of aluminium and low, focuses on lightness and robustness for training.

Internal Width, Tubeless, and Drilling

The internal width determines compatible tires. The gravel Mavic Allroad SL carbon rims and MTB rims, like the Race Face or Mavic Disc, which are wider, support bulky tires run at low pressure and are suited for tubeless setups. The Race Face offset rim shifts its drilling relative to the rim's axis, which balances the tension between the cassette side and the opposite side of the rear wheel. The number of holes, twenty-four, twenty-eight, thirty-two, or thirty-six depending on use, must match exactly with that of the hub, like the Bombshell rim with twenty-eight holes.

Good Deals

Great deals can also be found in the good deals, promotions, clearance, sales, and Black Friday. The new arrivals showcase the latest collections, and items shipped in 24h are prepared and dispatched within 24 hours. The highlights of the year follow a stable order: the Black Friday in late autumn, the end-of-year festivities, the winter sales, the French Days in spring, followed by the summer sales and back-to-school period.

Frequently Asked Questions

Carbon or Aluminium Rim: which one to choose?

Carbon allows for high, stiff, and lightweight profiles, sought after in racing. Aluminium, which is more affordable, absorbs shocks better and is easier to repair: it's a safe choice for training, touring, or rough roads.

Can a tubeless ready rim accept an inner tube?

Yes, you can fit a standard tire with an inner tube. However, fitting tubeless requires a sealed rim tape, a tubeless valve, and preventive liquid to seal small punctures.

How to tell if a rim is worn out?

On a caliper brake bike, the braking surface wears down: a wear indicator, groove or spot, disappears when it needs to be replaced. A crack around a hole or a warp that cannot be corrected also necessitates replacement.

Do you need high rims for mountain riding?

In the mountains, a low rim is lighter and less affected by lateral wind in descents. High profiles, like the Mavic Cosmic, perform best on flat surfaces, where aerodynamics matter more.

What rim width for twenty-eight millimeter road tires?

An internal width of nineteen to twenty-three millimeters is suitable for these tires, providing a rounder and more stable profile. Check the rim manufacturer's recommendations for the minimum allowed width.