Rims

The Rim of a wheel does more than just keep the tyre in place. It determines the stiffness and weight of your wheel, and is a major area for wind drag. There has been a number of huge advances in rim technology in recent years. Carbon fibre makes rims light and stiff, and many rims come with with deep aerodynamic profiles to smooth air flow over the wheel. Many people are also exploring the benefits of slightly wider rims, to better match the width of racing tyres. Rims come in lots of different sizes, and while most modern bikes have settled on the 700c standard, many older or more specialised bikes will need different sizes. The amount of spokes a rim accepts can also change the ride quality of the wheel, more spokes usually meaning a stronger and stiffer wheel, at the expense of weight.