26-Inch MTB Wheels

How to choose your 26-inch MTB wheels

Today, 26-inch serves two purposes: replacement on an existing MTB, and dirt jump/street where it remains the benchmark size. The range is limited, so the key is not so much choosing as finding a wheel compatible with your bike.

Check measurements before ordering

• Front : 9x100 mm quick release on most 26-inch MTBs, 15x100 mm or 20x110 mm on more aggressive models.
• Rear : 9x135 mm quick release, 12x135 mm or 12x142 mm depending on your frame generation.
• Brake type : disc or rim brakes — in which case the rim must feature a braking surface. The two are not interchangeable.
• Freehub body and the number of speeds on your current cassette.

Single wheel or wheelset?

On an older bike, replacing only the damaged wheel is the budget-friendly option. Be careful, though, if the other wheel is worn out: two wheels of very different ages will not handle the same, and the older one will soon fail.

Dirt jump and street

Here, the criteria are reversed: you want strength, not lightweight performance. Wide rim, high spoke count, reinforced hub shell, often singlespeed. Spank and Mavic Deemax Park wheels are built to take repeated landings.

What if the wheel is no longer available?

Custom wheel building remains the best solution: a new 26-inch rim laced onto your existing hub with spokes of the correct length. It is often cheaper than a complete wheel and lets you keep a high-quality hub.

To find out more: How to choose your MTB wheels

See also: MTB Rims · 26-Inch MTB Tyres · MTB Spokes