There’s a lot more to bike wheels than it may at first seem. The exact types wheel and tyre on your bike will depend on what terrain it is intended for cycling – road and off-road bikes having wildly different wheelsets. It’s good to have a working knowledge of them so you can change and adjust them on the go.
Rim: The rim of the tyre is the metal loop that the rubber tyre itself fits around. These can be made of various materials depending on the type of bike, with some being more lightweight and some being more durable for different types of cycling.
Hub: The hub is the center of the tyre, usually consisting of an axle, bearings and a hub shell. Hub designs can vary depending on the type of bike, but they are essential to the tyres as they basically connect and hold everything together, as the name suggests.
Spokes: Multiple "rods" that connect the rim to the hub of the wheel. They can come in slightly varying configurations depending on the brand or type of wheel and even different materials. They are responsible for maintaining "true" wheels that spin even and straight. So make sure you look after them.
Tyre: Another fairly self-explanatory one, your tyres are what fit around the wheel to give you a proper grip on the terrain. The specific type of tyre you’ll want for your bike depends on what you want to use it for, so be aware of the type of terrain you’ll be cycling on and make sure you choose appropriate tyres. Some can be extremely tight to fit, which is what our Tyre Glider is designed to help with.
Valve: There are two types of valve your bike will likely use – Presta and Schrader. The valve is for inflating your tyres, so it is a good idea to make sure your bike pump is compatible with the type of valve you have, or get a universal pump like Rehook AIR that works with both kinds.
If you’d like to learn more about bike parts, be sure to check out our comprehensive guide right here, which covers the bike frameset, drivetrain and wheel parts!
