How To Choose Bicycle Wheels Video

Man invented the wheel and time brought about the mountain bike. It's time you learn what wheels work right for you in this free video clip.

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Determine the use of product
Can be hand assembled by bicycle shop
The lighter you make the wheel the less energy it takes to keep it going

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Dr. Steve Arkin is an Obstetrician/Gynecologist in Tampa Bay, Florida.

PANCHO HERRERA: This is Pancho Herrera. Let's talk a little bit about choosing a bicycle wheel. Like any component on your bicycle, it's really important to identify what you're going to do with that component. Are you a hardcore racer looking for the lightest possible weight? Are you a dirt jumping, downhiller who's going to need the absolute rugged most durable piece? Make that determination first and then you can focus in on what you want you buy. Bicycle wheels are typically either hand assembled by your local bike shop or built in advanced, pre-built by some of the major manufacturers. Both have virtues and merits. If you are a special needs rider, let's say you're an extremely light, small rider or perhaps you're a heavier rider and you need an extremely rugged wheel, it helps to have a custom builder cooperate with you on building the right component for you. Otherwise, take a look at what's off the shelf. The major manufacturers are making some really good wheels at affordable prices and really enhancing the capabilities of a bicycle. Here's an example of a hand-built wheel. Notice that the traditional format spoke, hub, rim, spoke all assembled by a master wheel builder to your taste and needs. Here's an example of a proprietary pre-built wheel. Perhaps a little bit lighter. Perhaps a little bit more oriented towards the racer, but a terrific piece. This is something that would be oriented towards a high-performance cyclist, somebody who's out there racing on the weekends. In the case of this high-performance wheel, take a lot at the aluminum spokes in a radial format. That makes this wheel extremely aerodynamic, they're bladed. It also makes this wheel extremely light. That's an important factor when you're choosing a wheel. Remember that as you accelerate a bicycle, you have to accelerate this wheel and that circumference has to accelerate. So the lighter you can make that wheel, the quicker your bike comes off the line and the less energy it takes to keep it rolling.

How to Choose Bicycle Wheels Video

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