When to upgrade your wheels

New wheels are one of the most-felt upgrades on a road or gravel bike — but they're also one of the most expensive, and not everyone benefits equally.

This guide covers the why and what of upgrading, in general terms. The right wheel for you depends on your riding, your weight, your frame, and your tyres.

When a wheel upgrade is worth it

You'll feel the difference most if you currently ride:

• A stock alloy wheelset that came with a complete bike a few years ago.
• Wheels that are noticeably heavy (around 1,800g+ for the pair on a road bike).
• Wheels with basic hubs (cup-and-cone bearings, no sealed cartridges).

You may feel less of a difference if:

• You already ride a mid-tier or higher aftermarket wheelset.
• The bike's biggest limitation is fit, gearing, or tyres.

What to look for

Weight

Lower is generally faster on climbs, but weight isn't everything. A slightly heavier aero wheel can be faster overall on flat/rolling terrain.

Rim depth

• 25–35mm — All-rounders, minimal crosswind impact.
• 40–50mm — Aero benefit on flats, manageable in wind.
• 60mm+ — TT/triathlon territory; harder to handle in crosswinds.

Internal width

Modern road wheels have moved to wider internal widths (19–23mm) to better support 28–32mm tyres. Pair the wheel and tyre width carefully.

Hubs

Sealed cartridge bearings, a strong freehub body, and serviceable internals matter more for long-term cost than headline weight.

Tubeless-ready

Most current wheels are tubeless-compatible. If you plan to run tubeless tyres, this is a baseline requirement.

Carbon vs alloy

• Carbon — lighter at a given depth, can be more aero, generally more expensive.
• Alloy — robust, easier to service, often a better value for everyday riding.

Carbon wheel quality varies enormously between brands. Stick with reputable manufacturers and verify the rim's track record.

Common mistakes

• Buying for marketing weight without checking real-world stiffness or hub quality.
• Going too deep on a windy island like Singapore.
• Ignoring the cassette + chain. A new wheelset on a worn drivetrain will wear faster than it should.

Looking at a specific wheelset? Browse wheels or chat with us about your goals.