Wheels are the most important bike component for any type of bicycle riding activity. However, for mountain bike riding your wheels play a crucial role in making you stand out from everyone else. The wheels determine everything from your mountain climbing ability to your speed and downhill riding control. So if you are a mountain bike rider a new set of wheels may be what you need to stay ahead of the competition or just to enhance your mountain biking experience. With all that being said, buying a random wheelset will not help you at all. You need to get the wheels that will match your riding style and your mountain bike to get the best performance.
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However, this is where the problem is. Finding the right wheels while taking all of the factors into account can get quite tricky. There are so many things to consider such as wheel size, axle standards, hub engagement and there are so many brands out there to choose from as well. It all can all get very overwhelming and confusing. Well, that is why we are here to help. We have spent hours researching and testing to present you with some of the best mountain bike (MTB) wheels that are affordable. Not just that we also collected reviews and feedback from customers who have already purchased and used these wheels to create a more trustworthy and reliable review of these products.
Among all the products we tested, we found that HULKSPORTS Carbon MTB Wheelset is the best option for its superior performance and budget-friendly price. Also, it is a wheel that will suit most riders and their preferences in mountain biking styles. That is why we have chosen this wheelset as our “Overall Best Choice”!
Unique rim design built with high-end carbon that is ideal for mountain biking, cross country, and XC | Overall Best Choice
The Hulksports 29er carbon wheelset is made with high-quality Toray T700 carbon fiber, these wheels were built to be strong and durable. These wheels look as good as new even if you take them out for a ride on rocky and heavy terrain. The UD Matte finish on top of these carbon wheels makes them look gorgeous. These are highly durable wheels that will last you longer than expected. These are tubeless-ready wheels that also feature a hookless rim profile which enhances the overall performance of the bike.
These wheels are equipped with the Powerway M81 hubs which are quite powerful and amplifies the speed as well as control. Perfect for cross country and XC this aluminum alloy hub is very light in weight and has two sealed bearings to keep it protected and help it run smoothly.
- Rim Type: Clincher tire and Tubeless ready
- Rim material: Toray T700 Carbon Fiber with UD Matte rim finish
- Rim Depth: 25 mm
- Braking system: 6 Bolt Disc Brake
- Hub: Powerway M81 hub with 15 x 100 mm front and 12 x 142 mm rear thru-axle
- Spoke: Stainless Steel Straight Pull Spokes
- Spoke Count: 28/32 front and 28/32 rear
- Wheel Size: 29″
- Weight: 1780 grams
A quick view of our selected mountain bike wheels that are very affordable:
| Wheels | Number of Spokes | Our Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Crank Brothers Cobalt 1 Mountain Bicycle Wheelset | 24 | 96 |
| Stan's NoTubes Major S1 Rear Wheel | 32 | 96 |
| Wheel Master Alloy 26" Double Disc Wheel | 36 | 90 |
| SHIMANO MT15 Rim 29er Mountain Bike Wheels | 28 | 94 |
| Mavic XA Pro Carbon 29 Boost Wheels | 24 | 91 |
| DT Swiss Unisex – Adult M 1700 Spline Wheels | 28 | 96 |
| WTB 29 inch ST i25 Disc Brake TCS Wheel Set | 32 | 92 |
| WTB 700c Disc Brake Speed DISC 29" All Mountain Wheels | 32 | 88 |
| HULKSPORTS Carbon MTB Wheelset | 28/32 | 95 |
| Reynolds Enduro Blacklabel Boost Wheelset | 28 | 91 |
10 best affordable MTB wheels that you can buy today
We have made a comparison table for you so that you can have a better understanding of the products included in this article and see which mountain bike wheels are right for you. The comparison table consists of all the specifications of our selected products:
| Helmets | Preview | Wheel Size | Rim Type | Rim Material | Rim Depth | Braking System | Hub Axle Type | Spokes | Spoke number | Weight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crank Brothers Cobalt 1 MTB Wheelset | 29" | Clincher Tubeless ready | Aluminium rim with monotone finish | 21.1 mm | 6-bolt disc brake | Thru Axle Convertible to QR | Stainless Steel Bladed Spokes | 24 | 1975 gm | |
| Stan's No Tubes S1 Major Boost Rear Wheel | 27.5" | Clincher Tubeless ready | Aluminium | 18.4 mm | 6-bolt disc brake | Thru Axle | Sapim Race Black | 32 | 1090 gm | |
| Wheel Master Alloy 26" Double Disc Wheel | 26" | Clincher | Aluminium | 21 mm | 6-bolt disc brake | Quick Release | Stainless Steel Bladed Spokes | 36 | 1134 gm | |
| SHIMANO MT15 Rim 29er Mountain Bike Wheels | 29" | Clincher | 6061 T6 Aluminum, Double Wall Clincher. | 21 mm | 6-bolt disc brake with Centerlock compatibility | Quick Release | Black Stainless Steel Flat Blade Spokes | 28 | 2260 gm | |
| Mavic XA Pro Carbon 29 Boost | 29" | UST Tubeless | Carbon Fiber | 26 mm | 6-bolt disc brake | Thru Axle Convertible to QR | Steel double butted, flat, straight pull Spokes | 24 | 1645 gm | |
| DT Swiss Unisex – Adult M 1700 Spline | 29" | Tubeless ready | Aluminium | 19.5 mm | Disc Center Lock Brake | Thru Axle | DT competition straight pull spokes | 28 | 1037 gm | |
| WTB 29 inch ST i25 Disc Brake TCS Wheel Set | 29" | Clincher tyre and Tubeless ready | Aluminum | 29 mm | 6-bolt disc brake | Quick Release | Stainless Steel Straight Pull Spokes | 32 | 1160 gm | |
| WTB 700c Disc Brake Speed DISC 29" MTB Wheels | 29" | Clincher Tubeless ready | Aluminum | 18.5 mm | 6-bolt disc brake | Quick Release | Stainless Steel Straight Pull Spokes | 32 | 2200 gm | |
| HULKSPORTS Carbon MTB Wheelset | 29" | Clincher Tubeless ready | Aluminum | 25 mm | 6-bolt disc brake | ThruAxle | Stainless Steel Straight Pull Spokes | 28/32 F, 28/32 R | 1780 gm | |
| Reynolds Enduro Blacklabel Boost Wheelset | 27.5" | Clincher Tubeless ready | MR5 carbon fiber | 29 mm | Disc Center Lock Brake | Thru Axle | Stainless Steel Straight Pull Spokes | 28 | 1710 gm |
1) Crank Brothers Cobalt 1: Well designed and technically advanced wheels perfect for XC and trail riding
- Rim Type: Clincher tire and Tubeless ready
- Rim material: Aluminium rim with a monotone finish
- Rim Depth: 21.1 mm
- Rim Inner Width: 21 mm
- Braking system: 6-bolt disc brake
- Front Hub: Cobalt hub with 15 x 100 mm thru-axle (convertible into 9 x 100 mm)
- Rear Hub: Cobalt hub with 12 x 142 mm thru-axle (convertible into 10 x 135 mm)
- Spoke: Stainless Steel Bladed Spokes
- Spoke Count: 24
- Wheel Size: 29″
- Weight: 1975 grams (wheelset)
- Maximum rider weight: 81 kilograms
- Elegant Design: Unique wheel design by a very well known bicycle brand that gives it a simple yet elegant look.
- Single spoke length: With a spoke length of 298 mm, these wheels are very convenient to true and can be replaced without removing them.
- Low rotational inertia: The design of the wheel allows the spread of all the weight much closer to the hub which provides quicker acceleration and deceleration.
- Twin pair spoke technology: The paired spoke technology offered by the Crank Brothers ensures stiffness and aerodynamics.
- Lightweight: These wheels are quite light and won’t add any extra weight to your mountain bike. This allows a more smooth and fast ride.
- Convertibility: Both the front and rear hubs are convertible from thru-axle to quick release axle method, allowing you to choose what you are comfortable with.
- Color: This wheelset is only available in black.
- Accessories: This package also includes quick-release skewers for easy conversion.
- The light alloy rim can get dented easily and so it requires special attention from the rider.
- The hubs might require repair after a lot of heavy use.
Crank Brothers really showed their expertise with the Cobalt 1 mountain bike wheels. It is not easy to make mountain bike wheels that are stiff, light, and inexpensive, yet Crank Brothers showed everyone what they can do with their technology. The Cobalt 1 is made of aluminum with a monotone finish. The clincher tubeless-ready tire is an entry-level wheelset and is perfect for XC and trail riding. It is lightweight due to the aluminum and the single spoke length which also makes it easy to true and maintains. The twin pair spoke technology allows the use of fewer spokes on the rim which makes the wheel more aerodynamic and also increases stiffness. On top of all that the unique design wheel not only makes it the best looking set out there but also makes it faster to accelerate and decelerate. Although the hub requires frequent repairing, the rear hub consists of a 3 pawl freehub which provides very smooth engagement. If you are new to the mountain biking world and want to give it a shot, get these wheels for the best experience.
Crank Brothers Cobalt 1 Mountain Bicycle Wheelset
2) Stan’s NoTubes Major S1: Highly durable wheel built with advanced engineering and patented technology
- Rim Type: Clincher tire and Tubeless ready
- Rim material: Aluminium
- Rim Depth: 18.4 mm
- Rim Inner Width: 38 mm
- Braking system: 6-bolt disc brake
- Hub: Stan’s Neo hub with 12 x 142 mm thru-axle and chrome sealed cartridge bearing
- Spoke: Sapim Race Black (2.0/1.8/2.0 mm)
- Spoke Count: 32
- Wheel Size: 27.5″
- Weight: 2062 grams
- Maximum rider weight: 104 kilograms
- Patented Bead Socket Technology: Stan’s patented technology allows the tire to increase to its highest volume and therefore allows more traction and less rolling resistance.
- Optimum freehub: Stan’s Neo hub has a Durasync freehub which consists of 10-degree engagement through 6 pawls which allows for very fast engagement and optimum riding experience.
- Durability: Built with strength and reliability in mind, this rear wheel is highly durable with chrome sealed cartridges to keep the bearing clean from contaminants
- Rim construction: The rim construction with aluminum and stainless steel eyelets not only ensures durability but also makes the wheel very light.
- Lower pressure: The Bead Socket Technology also allows low pressure on the wheel which offers more control to the rider.
- Color: This rear wheel is only available in black.
- Accessories: The Major S1 rear wheel also comes with a 39 mm rim tape.
- Some customers have found the hub of the wheel to be a bit too loud.
Major S1 is one of the most affordable wheels manufactured by Stan’s Notubes. And yet it is a strong contender with the already established high-end mountain bike wheels. This rear wheel is equipped with Stan’s patented bead socket technology which will take your mountain bike rides to a whole new level with its high traction and low rolling resistance. Also, Stan’s Neo hub that has the Durasync freehub provides enhanced engagements with its 6 pawled 10-degree engagement mechanism.
Stan’s Notubes is known for manufacturing easy to configure and best performing tubeless systems. The Major S1 rear wheel absolutely delivers to that. The only downside we found when we tested this wheel was that the hub was a bit loud when riding. If a bit of sound is not an issue for you, this rear wheel will be the perfect addition to your mountain bike.
Stan’s NoTubes Major S1 Rear Wheel
3) Wheel Master Alloy 26″ Double Disc Wheel: Lightweight, strong and affordable mountain bike wheel that delivers safety and performance
- Rim Type: Clincher tire
- Rim material: Aluminium
- Rim Depth: 21 mm
- Rim Inner Width: 21 mm
- Braking system: 6-bolt disc brake
- Hub: W/M MT-2000 with 135 mm quick release and sealed cartridge bearing
- Spoke: Stainless Steel Bladed Spokes
- Spoke Count: 36
- Wheel Size: 26″
- Weight: 1134 grams
- Maximum rider weight: N/A
- Lightweight: This rear wheel is very light and so it reduces the inertia and is not very hard on the suspension, thus allowing for a much more comfortable ride.
- Strength and Durability: This Wheel Master rear wheel is very sturdy and holds true for a long time. It is a very reliable wheel and delivers top-notch safety and performance.
- Quality hub: The wheel has a W/M MT-2000 hub with sealed cartridge bearing that does a fantastic job at keeping the hub clean from dirt, dust, or water and the freehub on this rear wheel can run 8 to 10-speed cassette. It delivers exceptional performance when taken out in the mountains.
- Affordability: This rear wheel is one of the most affordable options out there and is also one of the most reasonable wheels mentioned in this article. It is the perfect replacement wheel if you are not willing to spend too much and will serve you well for a long time.
- Color: This rear wheel is available only in black.
- The clutch derailleurs make a horrible noise when riding.
- The torque applied to the hub when riding is too high.
Wheel Master’s alloy mountain disc double wall is definitely worth the money. It is one of the most affordable options in the market, however, it might be cheap in price but it is not cheap in quality. This machine built aluminum rear wheel comes with a great quality hub with sealed cartridge bearings and performs really well on the trail. You can be as hard on it as you want and it will still deliver a consistently good performance. It is very light in weight which allows the wheel to reduce the inertia and at the same time does not put too much pressure on the suspension. This makes the rider ride his or her bike very comfortably without any trouble. Finally, most important of all, this wheel is known for being long-lasting. So for the very small price, you are getting a light, strong, and very reliable wheel that will last you longer than you expect. What more can one ask for?
Wheel Master Alloy 26″ Double Disc Wheel
4) SHIMANO MT15: Strong and endurable wheels built for all types of mountain biking activities
- Rim Type: Clincher tire
- Rim material: 6061 T6 Aluminum, Double Wall Clincher.
- Rim Depth: 21 mm
- Rim Inner Width: 24.6 mm
- Braking system: 6-bolt disc brake with Centerlock compatibility
- Hub: Aluminum Alloy hubs with smooth ball bearings and 100 mm Front and 135 mm Rear Quick Release
- Spoke: Stainless Steel Flat Bladed Spokes (Black Color)
- Spoke Count: 28
- Wheel Size: 29″
- Weight: 2,260 grams (Wheelset)
- Maximum rider weight: N/A
- Versatile: This Shimano wheelset performs exceptionally well in any type of riding and weather conditions. Whether its very rocky terrain or heavy rain, the Shimano MT15 will definitely come out on top.
- Brake system Compatibility: The wheels come with 6-bolt disc brakes however it can be easily converted to a center lock disc brake system, allowing you to choose your favorite brakes.
- Angular contact bearing: The hub has angular contact bearing which reduces friction in the wheel and decreases the chance of getting damaged. It basically helps the smooth ball bearings to provide radial and lateral support which ensures the safety and durability of the wheels.
- Easy maintenance: This wheelset is very easy to take care of due to the excellent build quality and quick release axle method. This also makes the wheels very long-lasting.
- Spokes: The bladed spokes give the bike a very stylish and bold look. It also helps improve the performance of the wheels.
- Color: This wheelset is only available in black.
- Accessories: You will get these accessories free with this wheelset: 1) Continental Race King Performance Tires, size: 29 inches, TPI (threads per inch): 180, Folding Bead: 29×2.2 inches, compound: Pure Grip compound. 2) Presta type valve tubes: already installed & compatible with 29 inches tire 3) Shimano’s alloy made Quick release (QR) skewers: For both front and rear wheels.
- This Shimano wheelset is quite heavy compared to the other wheels on this list.
- Some customers have said that they needed to true the wheels before use.
- May require a disc rotor adapter to suit brakes.
How can we make a list of mountain bike wheels without mentioning Shimano? The Shimano brand has been serving bicycle riders around the globe for years while delivering the best quality. The Shimano MT15 is one of the best affordable wheels out there in the market. It is very well built with aluminum rims and alloy hubs with smooth ball bearings. To ensure their top quality, Shimano has equipped the hub with angular contact bearing which reduces friction in the wheels and also protects it from getting damaged. Every component of the wheels has been built with good materials. Even the spokes on the wheels are very good looking and provide great performance.
This is an all-round wheelset capable of tackling any type of mountain biking as well as weather conditions. So if you are looking for a new set of wheels that can withstand your hardcore mountain biking adventures, the Shimano M15 will be your best bet.
SHIMANO MT15 Mountain Bike (MTB) Wheels 29er
5) Mavic XA Pro Carbon Boost: Lightweight wheels with an exclusive rim design and climbing ability
- Rim Type: UST Tubeless and tube type
- Rim material: Carbon fiber
- Rim Depth: 26 mm
- Rim Inner Width: 26 mm
- Braking system: 6-bolt disc brake
- Hub: Aluminum hubs with adjustable sealed cartridge bearings and 15 x 110 mm front and 12×142 mm rear thru-axle compatible with quick release
- Spoke: Steel double-butted, flat, straight-pull Spokes
- Spoke Count: 24
- Wheel Size: 29″
- Weight: 1645 grams (wheelset without tire)
- Maximum rider weight: 120 kilograms
- Carbon rims: The rims made with hundred percent carbon fiber offers a sleek look, great lateral stiffness, and responsiveness.
- Two-cross spoke pattern: The spoke pattern on the front and rear helps reduce the weight of the wheels and also provides great comfort and control to the rider.
- Hookless rim profile: This rim profile helps the wheels to be sturdy and lightweight enough so that the rider can climb easily and have great agility on the trail.
- UST Tubeless: The tubeless setup allows the rider to go as fast as possible while protecting the wheels from flats and other types of damages.
- Hub engagement: The Mavic XA Pro Boost comes with the Instant Transfer System 4 that uses a 4 pawl engagement system which provides very fast engagement and offers a very smooth ride.
- Rim Design: The rim is equipped with ISM 4D technology to get rid of any type of unnecessary material and components in order to shed rotational weight.
- Compatibility: The aluminum hubs have a thru-axle fixing method that is also compatible with a quick-release method.
- Color: This wheelset is available only in black.
- The tires are a bit heavy and might slow you down when climbing.
- It is not ideal for very aggressive riders.
Yes, I know what you are thinking, what is such an expensive wheelset doing in an affordable wheels list? Allow me to ease your mind. This is the most affordable carbon wheelset you can find in the stores today. Carbon is a high-end material so most wheels that use carbon are way more expensive. Mavic is a very renowned brand and a pioneer in mountain biking wheels. They are also very well known for being the first manufacturer for putting tubeless rims on their mountain bike wheels.
The Mavic XA Pro Carbon 29 Boost is a very well designed wheelset. Both the front and rear wheels are made of 100% carbon fiber which makes them very stiff and responsive, ideal features you want in any mountain bike wheel. The wheels have a two-cross spoke pattern which just takes the performance on a higher standard. The hub engagement, Instant Transfer System 4 with a 4 pawl engagement, is one of the best in the industry as it offers very rapid engagement points and overall effortless riding experience. If you are looking for strong, fast and carbon rim wheels on a budget then Mavic’s XA Pro Boost is the best offer that you will get.
Mavic XA Pro Carbon 29 Boost Wheels
6) DT Swiss Unisex – Adult M 1700: Built with world-class quality and proprietary technology
- Rim Type: Tubeless ready
- Rim material: Aluminium
- Rim Depth: 19.5 mm
- Rim Inner Width: 30 mm
- Braking system: Disc Center Lock
- Hub: DT 350 with 12 x 142 mm thru-axle
- Spoke: DT competition straight pull spokes
- Spoke Count: 28
- Wheel Size: 29″
- Weight: 1037 grams
- Maximum rider weight: 120 kilograms
- Ratchet System Technology: DT Swiss’s proprietary freewheel system that provides highly accurate star ratchets, that ensures superior performance and reliability. It also allows ease of repair and maintenance.
- Hub engagement: The M1700 Spline offers 36 points of engagement which means it has an engagement angle of 10 degrees which shows great performance in real-world conditions.
- DT Swiss Pro lock nipples: This is also a patented technology owned by DT Swiss. The pro lock nipples ensure superior durability of the wheels by the use of a proprietary dual compound adhesive liquid on the spoke nipples.
- Tubeless: The tubeless tires allow the rider to go very fast while preventing the wheels from flats and other types of accidents. The lower pressure on tubeless wheels also makes the ride more comfortable and smooth.
- DT Competition Spokes: These straight pull spokes are made DT Swiss and they are of the best quality. These spokes are very light and are made by cold forging which makes them highly durable.
- Wide rim: The wide rim of the wheel makes it perfect for mountain biking and also ensures superb traction even in bad weather conditions.
- Color: This wheel is only available in black.
- The DT Competition straight pulls spokes are difficult to replace.
- The rims are too soft for very heavy riders.
DT Swiss has a track record of building products that exhibit world-class quality. Their M1700 Spline rear wheel is the best example of that track record. The tubeless-ready aluminum rear wheel is equipped with the best technology in the industry. Starting with the ratchet system technology which is patented by DT Swiss does a stellar job at freewheeling the bicycle and the star ratchets make a very nice distinctive sound. The Hub engagement has many points and offers rapid engagement. The Pro lock nipples are also patented and consist of an adhesive liquid that hardens and attaches the nipple to the spoke very precisely. This makes the wheel very durable.
DT Swiss always offers the very best. Even the spokes on this wheel are very well built and long-lasting. This product is of solid quality from top to bottom and all that at such a good price. If you are new to the sporty mountain biking world and want to start it off with a wheel that will give you a good learning experience and provide you with superior performance for years, get this now!
