What is the difference ...?

Question

What's the difference between a good and bad pair of bicycle wheels?

Answer 1

Tacoing... and not tacoing? Basically more expensive= more lighter/stronger not as prone to bending i guess lol

Answer 2

It depends on what you want.  Most people would probably say light weight and strong is good.   That's probably true if you are racing.  For mountain biking on rough trials, I actually prefer steel wheels over aluminum.  Steel wheels are stronger and the extra weight gives you more stability at low speeds.  This is also true on the road and you get more exercise per mile : ).  Also look for equal spoke tension around the wheel, no bends or kinks in the rim and bearings that allow for free movement but no side-to-side play.

Answer 3

Actually, steel rims are NOT stronger than aluminum. Steel dents, bends, and tend to fail quickly in difficult circumstances.

Anyway...

Design for purpose is the most important aspect of a good vs. bad wheel. Generally, a good wheel will include a well made hub, stainless steel spokes, and an alloy rim, usually with a machined sidewall and double walls. A good pair of entry level wheels will be somewhere in the $250 range... prices can go to well over $5000 a pair... just for the wheels!

A bad wheel often LOOKS better than a good one but uses a low end alloy or steel hub, zinc plated high tensile steel spokes, and a low quality alloy rim or a steel one. Steel rims can usually be identified by chrome plating or having a completely painted surface- even on the braking surface. Usually the cheapest way to get a pair of these wheels id go to Walmart and buy a cheap bike... maybe $70 or so.

Regarding performance, good wheels will provide longer life, less chance of failure, longer maintenance interval, and mosttimes lower weight. Saving an ounce off each wheel has a performance advantage equal to saving a pound from anything else.

Answer 4

Hi frnd,

       The difference between a good and bad pair of bicycle wheels lies in the way the wheels are designed. I mean when the wheels have larger grip then they are used for mountaining cycles as they shud really have a great grip.. and coming to the other type of wheels they are used normally with smaller amount of grip when compared to the other cycles..