Bicycling
fromBikeMag
10 hours agoDon't Buy Your Next MTB Wheelset Until You Read This Comparison
Carbon MTB wheels are generally worth the investment due to their stiffness and reliability, but high-end alloy wheels remain a strong alternative.
The biggest update is the rim itself. The new TYRO uses a 45mm-deep full-carbon clincher rim with a 23mm internal width and 31mm external width. That wider internal measurement reflects where modern road and all-road setups have headed over the last few years. A wider rim supports larger tires and helps them maintain a more stable, rounded profile.
Developed for road, gravel, and MTB, Dark Energy is the outcome of four years of dedicated research and development both inside the unique Muc-Off R&D Lab and also working closely with pro-team riders and performance staff. Over that period, more than 90 formulations were created and tested through a structured loop of rigorous screening, consisting of over 8,500 hours of dynamometer and tribometer testing and over 100,000km of real-world testing.
The GP5000 S TR is the all-rounder, balancing weight and protection for a fast but durable (and puncture protected) ride. Designed for general purpose road riding, the new size lets you push the boundaries of what "all road" really means. And the increased volume means you can run lower pressures for more traction and comfort while doing so.
The new absoluteBLACK MTB 4-Pot Brake Piston Press Tool slides into your calipers (with the pads removed) to quickly and evenly press the pistons back to a neutral position. This lets you reinstall the pads with plenty of space for new (or any) rotors, then squeeze your brake lever to advance them to the right position.
The beauty of chainrings is that they wear out, generally after a few seasons depending on how you ride, which means they are a perfect opportunity to give your old bike some new bling. At $75 a pop, they aren't exactly cheap. But the precision of these machined-in-Colorado 7075 chainrings is on point, and Wheels Mfg has a long record of making solid, long-lasting components.
It uses a semi-closed cell foam that works by slowly absorbing the air pressure in fully inflated tires. Then, when you puncture, the rapid release of air from your tire causes them to swell up and fill the tire, keeping you riding on air...almost like normal.
Race Face uses the same rim for its Era eMTB wheelset as it does for its standard Era wheels. These rims have a distinct profile, front and rear, which delivers the blend of compliance and strength they are looking for. On the standard Era wheels, the front rim is 18.6mm deep, while the rear rim is 22.6mm. Both rims share a 30mm internal width, paired with a 37.2mm external width.
Wild Enduro Performance Line Michelin's Wild Enduro Performance Line features a double-ply 33 TPI casing, providing a more consistent rebound and ride feel. They use both compounds-Magi-X and Gum-X-together for rolling efficiency and cornering grip. The tires offer high puncture protection with a bead-to-bead shield helping to protect against sidewall punctures. Pinch flats are guarded against with Michelin's Pinch Protection technology, allowing for higher levels of reliability in varying terrain.
BBB CoreCap has reinvented the lowly bicycle tire valve with a design that boosts airflow, improves durability, expands pump compatibility, and even possibly sheds a bit of weight. Their new CoreCap design is a mash-up up the two major tire valve options - Presta & Schrader, and yet it manages to avoid the main pitfalls of each. Less chance of clogged valves with up to 3x more airflow from the same skinny valve as before.
After launching several new products in 2025, Silca's first new product to hit the market in 2026 is Hold Fast Carbon Paste. The self-proclaimed " leader in marginal gains," Silca is already well-known for its high-quality bike pumps, multi-tools, immersion waxes, drip lubes, and much more. The brand continues to expand its ever-growing portfolio of products, typically with the goal of improving upon existing options on the market. That also seems to be the intention with its new Hold Fast Carbon Paste.
While much of the discussion surrounding the 32" wheel size has centered around cross-country bikes and XCO World Cup racing, gravel bikes seem like one of the best and most obvious applications. But as far as we can tell, 32" gravel tires are even more rare, with most of the big-wheeled gravel bikes we've seen relying on the aforementioned mountain bike models.
ReTyre's unique 'carbon-neutral' tire tech looks set to make big inroads in performance and real-world availability, thanks to a new development partnership with Vittoria and a fresh round of venture capital investment. Together, the funding and Vittoria collaboration will help ReTyre expand production of their pioneering sustainable tires. And it signals a shift from making tires for less-demanding applications like kids' bikes and strollers, stepping up to make durable, high-performance eco tires for everyday urban and commuting bikes and ebikes.