The 6 Best MTB Wheels of 2023
By: Colin Edwards: Bike Buyer | July 11, 2023
Take your ride to the next level in 2023 with the best mountain bike wheels on the market. The wheels are the backbone of your bike, directly affecting your performance, control, and overall riding experience. When shopping for the perfect mtb wheels, factors such as the wheel size, rim width, material, and compatibility with your bike's suspension and brake system come into play. Whether you're a downhill daredevil, an XC enthusiast, or someone who just loves to explore the trails, our comprehensive guide is here to help you find the best mountain bike wheels that will transform your ride.
New This Year:
This year, mountain bike wheels are spinning towards innovation like never before. The trends for 2023 include lighter and more robust materials, improved aerodynamics, and enhanced traction control. We're also seeing a rise in tubeless-ready designs, offering easier handling and puncture resistance for tougher terrains. As sustainability continues to lead the charge, many brands are focusing on eco-friendly manufacturing processes too. So, join us as we delve into the best mountain bike wheels of 2023, where performance, innovation, and sustainability meet. Get ready to accelerate your adventures!
ENVE AM30 Wheelset - 29"
For longer-travel enduro bikes, the ENVE AM30 29" Wheelset is an instant upgrade with massive staying power. These hoops have been engineered to stand up the rock-smashinest trails you can find, and they're as light as they are durable. Their rim profile lets you run low pressures without inserts, quick to brush off rock strikes all day long. They have i9 1/1 hubs for instant engagement, and they're tough enough to outlast your bike. Yeah, these are the real deal!
| Material | Tubeless Compatible | Original Price |
| Carbon Fiber | Yes | $1,750.00 |
We Are One Revolution Union Wheelset - 29"
Like, WAO, dude! The We Are One Revolution Union Wheelset sets the standard for carbon enduro wheels. Extremely tough and plenty lightweight, these are workhorse hoops for anyone who's still a composite skeptic: they're backed by a lifetime warranty, so go ahead and make as many questionable line choices as you dare! The Revolution Union series use Industry Nine 1/1 hubs, simple and durable, keeping the whole system free of bad thoughts. If you're sick of fixing dented aluminum rims, look to We Are One for some carbon fiber headache medicine. They're bomber.
| Material | Tubeless Compatible | Original Price |
| Carbon Fiber | Yes | $1,275.00 |
Industry 9 1/1 Enduro S Boost Wheelset - 29"
Ready for a dream wheelset that won't break the bank? Look no further than the Industry 9 1/1 Enduro S Boost Wheelset. With snappy hubs, tough rims, and a stylish look, these puppies are fully equipped to take on the rowdiest trails and chunkiest descents. Built with I9's trusty 1/1 hub, this wheelset delivers quick 4-degree engagement and comes with the beefy Enduro S rim for a solid, dependable ride. And the best part? You can enjoy all this for a relatively wallet friendly price, leaving you with extra cash for future upgrades and race entries.
| Material | Tubeless Compatible | Original Price |
| Aluminum | Yes | $765.00 |
We Are One Convergence Triad Wheelset - 29"
Straight out of Kamloops, BC, the We Are One Convergence Triad Wheelset is a marvel of carbon fiber engineering. That wavy rim not only looks super cool, but it aligns each spoke nipple at its strongest angle, increasing strength and longevity. This rim profile is optimized for enduro riding, beefy enough to handle endless rock gardens but shaped in such a way to maintain trail feel--so it doesn't feel like you're riding on a couple of too-stiff discs of soulless plastic. The amazing rims are laced to Industry Nine Hydra hubs, a standard of the industry, so the durability encompasses the whole wheel. These don't have much competition in the carbon wheel arena.
| Material | Tubeless Compatible | Original Price |
| Carbon Fiber | Yes | $1,799.00 |
We Are One Convergence Triad Wheelset - MX
Straight out of Kamloops, BC, the We Are One Convergence Triad Wheelset is a marvel of carbon fiber engineering. That wavy rim not only looks super cool, but it aligns each spoke nipple at its strongest angle, increasing strength and longevity. This rim profile is optimized for enduro riding, beefy enough to handle endless rock gardens but shaped in such a way to maintain trail feel--so it doesn't feel like you're riding on a couple of too-stiff discs of soulless plastic. The amazing rims are laced to Industry Nine Hydra hubs, a standard of the industry, so the durability encompasses the whole wheel. These don't have much competition in the carbon wheel arena.
| Material | Tubeless Compatible | Original Price |
| Carbon Fiber | Yes | $1,799.00 |
Stan's NoTubes Flow S2 Wheel - 27.5"
An upgraded wheelset is an easy and immediate way to improve your experience, and the Stan's NoTubes Flow S2 Wheel is a slam dunk. With Stan's, you'll get better tubeless performance and legendary durability. These wheels come with a driver to fit your existing cassette, whether you're running 11- or 12-speed, SRAM or Shimano. Their E-sync hubs are perfect for eBikes and riders who demand stronger components, but still want quick engagement (8.18°) and high quality construction. With double row Enduro bearings around a CrMo axle and heat-treated ratchet rings, these are built to last.
| Material | Tubeless Compatible | Original Price |
| Aluminum | Yes | $225.00 |
Learn More With Our Other Bike Guides:
- Mountain Bikes - How to Choose
- Mountain Bikes - Size and Fit Guide
- Mountain Bikes - How to Get Started Mountain Biking
- Mountain Bikes - How to Choose a Wheel Size
- Mountain Bikes - Suspension Basics
- Mountain Bikes - How to Choose a Mountian Bike Dropper Post
- Mountain Bikes - How to Choose MTB Handlebars
- Mountain Bikes - How to Choose MTB Pedals
- Mountain Bikes - How to Change Bike Pedals
- Mountain Bikes - How to Clean
- Mountain Bikes - How to Bleed SRAM Brakes
- Mountain Bikes - How to Bleed Shimano Brakes
- Mountain Bikes - How to Convert to Tubeless Tires
- Mountain Bikes - How to Replace Internal Cable Housing
- Mountain Bikes - How to Adjust Your Rear Derailleur
- Mountain Bikes - How to Bleed a RockShox Reverb Seatpost
- Mountain Bikes - How to Service Fox and RockShox Fork Lowers
- Mountain Biking - What to Bring Mountain Biking
- Mountain Biking - What to Wear Mountain Biking
- Mountain Biking - How to Choose Knee Pads
- Bikes - Size and Fit Guide
- Gravel Bikes - How To Get Started Gravel Biking
- eBikes - Classes, Features & More
- eBikes - Where to Ride eBikes
- Bike Accessories - Helmet Size & Fit Guide
- Bike Accessories - How to Choose Bike Shoes
- Bikes - How to Choose Bike Tires
- Bikes - How to Change Bike Pedals
- Bikes - How to Repair & Replace a Bike Chain
- Bikes - How to Choose Accessories
- Bikes - Urban Riding Tips
- Travel & Destination Guides - Where to Mountain Bike
Learn About our Favorite Bike Gear:
The Best Women's Mountain Bikes
The Best Electric Mountain Bikes
The Best Mountain Bikes for Beginners
The Best Mountain Bikes Under $3,000
The Best Trail Bikes
The Best Enduro Bikes
The Best Gravel Bikes
The Best Mountain Bike Helmets
The Best Full Face MTB Helmets
The Best Mountain Bike Knee Pads
The Best Mountain Bike Elbow Pads
The Best Mountain Bike Shorts
The Best Women's Bike Shorts
The Best Mountain Bike Pants
The Best Mountain Bike Jerseys
The Best Mountain Bike Accessories
The Best Value Mountain Bike Helmets
The Best Dropper Posts
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The Best Mountain Bike Socks
The Best MTB Fanny Packs
The Best Mountain Bike Backpacks
The Best Clipless Mountain Bike Shoes
The Best Flat Pedal MTB Bike Shoes
The Best Mountain Bike Tires
The Best Mountain Bike Flat Pedals
The Best Bike Racks
The Best Bike Glasses
The Best Bike Goggles
The Best Women's Mountain Bike Jerseys
The Best Tailgate Bike Pads
The Best Bike Trainers
The Best Hitch Bike Racks
The Best Clipless MTB Pedals
The Best Mountain Bikes Handlebar Bags
The Best Mountain Bike Saddles
The Best MTB Wheels
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Our bike buyer has an endless amount of knowledge on all things bike stemming from years of experience in the bike industry in tandem with their countless hours out on the dirt, gravel, and tarmac. evo's buyers assess all products coming to market, lean into this knowledge, and put together this selection of the best products. They have a unique perspective as they truly see everything offered across the category.
Colin Edwards
Meet Colin Edwards, evo's in-house Bike Buyer and mountain biking aficionado. With 15+ years of e-commerce buying experience under his belt, Colin is the go-to guy for all things related to "Riding Dirt." He's worked across various categories, including bike, snowboard, travel, climbing, and surfing, giving him the know-how to recognize and select top-notch mountain biking products for evo's customers.
Colin's been shredding trails since he was a kid, starting on his trusty hardtail Trek 800 Sport. Born and raised in Utah, he recently made the move to Bellingham, WA with his partner, Kenz. Colin's real-world biking experience, combined with his background in product trends, relationship building, and sales analysis, makes him an invaluable asset to the evo team.
When he's not busy handpicking the raddest gear, you'll find Colin ripping through PNW trails or hunting for the world's best dirt. And when the snow falls, he's all about snowboarding. Colin also loves trail running and exploring the PNW's stunning landscape with his two dogs and Kenz.
With Colin's expertise and passion fueling evo's mountain biking selection, you can trust that his recommendations are spot-on and tailored to the evo community's adventurous spirit.