Bike Wheels Black Friday: discounts on road, mountain, BMX

A bike rim on sale Black Friday is chosen based on four measurements: the diameter, the internal width, the number of spoke holes, and the brake type, either rim or disc. The promotions apply to road, mountain bike, and BMX rims, made of aluminium or carbon, including tubeless-ready models; Vélo-Store offers these throughout November.

Bike rim in Black Friday: four points to consider

The diameter is measured in millimeters in the ETRTO specification: 622 for 700 and 29-inch wheels, 584 for 27.5, 559 for 26, 451 or 406 for 20-inch bikes, including BMX. The internal width, between the sides, determines the possible tyres. The number of holes, 28 or 32 for example, must match that of the hub if you’re reusing it. Finally, a rim for caliper brakes has a machined braking surface; a disc-only rim may not have one, hence the “brake” and “no brake” labels on certain models.

Rim on sale: tubeless, carbon, or asymmetric

A sale on a rim only applies to your specifications: compare the crossed-out price with the displayed price for the same diameter, the same internal width, and the same drilling, then check the product sheet for the version, with or without a braking surface. A tubeless rim is recognised by its profile that holds the tyre bead without a tube, under names specific to each brand. Carbon makes it lighter and stiffer; aluminum, which is more economical, absorbs shocks well. An asymmetric rim shifts the spoke holes to balance their tension, a plus for a rear wheel. Finally, note the ERD measurement of the chosen rim, which is used to calculate the lacing.

Relacing a rim and nearby pages

Changing a rim means relacing the wheel: the hub is retained, as are the wheel spokes if the ERD is close, but the job requires skill. Hubs, wheel spokes, and rim strips are gathered in the spare wheel parts in Black Friday; for a ready-to-assemble wheel, check the sale wheels. Outside of Black Friday, bike rims have their permanent page, and the clearance features discontinued series.

What rim brands are there?

Mavic offers its Open Pro road rim in versions for calipers or disc brakes, compatible with its UST tubeless system, alongside carbon Cosmic rims.

Excess, a French BMX race brand, makes XLC rims from Toray T700 carbon in the diameters for Mini and Expert categories such as Pro, with or without a braking surface.

Stans, a common name for Stan’s NoTubes, offers its MK4 asymmetric rims in three internal widths: Crest, 25 mm, for cross-country; Arch, 28 mm, for trail; Flow, 30 mm, for enduro.

Race Face includes the internal width, 25, 30, or 35 mm, in the name of its ARC rims and offers a Heavy Duty reinforced version.

Shimano sells the rim alone of some of its wheels, like the XT WH-M8200 with 28 holes, for rebuilding an original wheel.

WTB indicates the internal width with the letter i, from i23 to i35, and tubeless compatibility with the TCS logo on its HTZ and KOM rims.

Frequently asked questions

How to measure a bike rim?

The marking on the rim usually gives the ETRTO size, 622x19 for example. If not, measure the internal width with calipers between the sides, and count the spoke holes.

Which tyre for which rim?

The diameter must match, and the width of the tyre should follow the internal width: around 25 mm internal for 40 mm to 2.3-inch tyres, 30 mm for 2.3 to 2.6-inch MTB tyres.

Can a cracked rim be repaired?

No. A crack on aluminum or carbon, around the spoke holes or on a side, requires replacing the rim.

When to find rims on sale for Black Friday?

The event occurs on the Friday after Thanksgiving, but rims on sale at Vélo-Store remain discounted throughout November: a useful timeframe to check the ERD and have the wheel relaced by a workshop.