Popularity of mag wheels have been rising for a while. Do you know the reason they are becoming popular? What are the traits you should look for when getting a mag wheel?
Magnesium is light in weight, has decent strength and most of all comes with great damping capacity. These are the traits that make magnesium a great candidate for making wheels for motorized bikes.
As, not everything that glitters is gold, not every mag wheel is a top performer. There are quite a few aspects you have to keep in mind before you make the purchase. And, I’m here to help you to make the right choice of the mag bike wheels. Once you have finished reading you will have a substantial idea of which are the best mag wheels for motorized bicycle.
Top 5 list of motorized bicycle mag wheels:
- Best Overall: BBR Tuning 26 Inch Heavy Duty 10 Spoke
- Most Durable: CDHPOWER 26″ Aluminum Mag Wheels
- Best 3 spoke wheel: BBR Tuning 26 Inch Heavy Duty 3 Spoke
- Best Disk-brake: BBR Tuning HEAVY DUTY Disc Brake Ready
- Most Lightweight: 29″ Mag Wheel Set
What We Will Cover
What Is a Mag Wheel?
The term ‘mag’ in the mag wheels indicates magnesium. The first wheels made mostly of magnesium were too brittle for street use. So, the manufacturer started mixing other metals such as aluminum, titanium, and other stuff. In the end, the magnesium wheel became a magnesium alloy wheel, but the name stuck.
When we are talking about the mag wheel, these wheels are not only made of magnesium. These are made of magnesium alloy.
Compared to spoke wheels, these units offer a lot better performance and durability on a smooth road. But they lack performance when riding off-road.
For this reason, you will see the racing bicycles using mag wheels while riders on off-road tracks mostly use wheels with spoke.
Advantages Mag Wheel Offers
Lightweight: Most mag wheels tend to be lighter in weight than spoke wheels. This feature adds up to the efficiency of the motor on the bicycle. As it weighs less, you will get better mileage with mag wheels than using spoke wheels.
Speed handling: Mag wheels are better at accelerations and stopping than spoke wheels. Relying on the properties of the magnesium alloy, the engine can accelerate or decelerate very quickly and comfortably. It is one of the reasons why motorized bike manufacturers opt for mag wheels.
Damping capacity: Magnesium has a high damping capacity. It means that these wheels can absorb much greater hits without bending or breaking. Due to this trait, you will feel less vibration using these wheels. So, your riding experience will be comfortable and safe.
No-corrosion: Spoke wheels are made of corrosive materials. On those wheels, you will notice rust and corrosion emerging within a year. But mag wheels get you rid of this problem. As magnesium does not easily react with oxygen in the air, you won’t have to worry about corrosion taking place.
Tubeless compatible: If you want to go to the extreme, these wheels will allow you. To squeeze out the best performance, you can install tubeless tires on them. Not only it will make the bike look cooler, but you will also get better performance.
Easy to clean: Instead of dealing with countless spokes which makes keeping them clean very difficult, you will only have a few to deal with. Cleaning is a lot easier, which in turn will make the wheel last longer.
Aesthetics: There is no denying that mag wheels look like an absolute unit when it comes to aesthetics. You will have various color combinations and designs to choose from. Once you hit the road, be ready for the compliments that will be thrown at you.
5 Recommended Best Mag Wheels for Motorized Bicycle
1. Best Overall: BBR Tuning 26 Inch Heavy Duty 10 Spoke
- Size: 26 inch
- Brake Compatibility: Disc brake only
- Tire Compatibility: 26” x 1.5” – 26” x1.95” tires with Schrader valves
If you want something heavy-duty then this wheel would a top candidate no matter how you look at it. This wheel is one of the strongest out there as it is one of the best tires for motorized bicycle. The quality of the build materials is also top-notch.
It is designed in a way that it has 10 strong spokes. The wheel that has 20+ spokes is prone to get bending.
But, with this wheel, you won’t have to worry about truing it to keep it straight. These 10 spokes give it extra strength to handle even the hardest impacts.
The bearing in the wheel is sealed. If the bearing is not sealed, often the little balls come out due to vibration. Anything of that sort will not be happening in this wheel as the bearing is sealed.
So, you can relax and focus on controlling the bike even if there is much vibration.
Its aerodynamic design will complement the engine. On smooth roads, you will be able to hit high speed very quickly.
On the other hand, this wheel stays stable at top speed. These two traits together will hand you more control of the ride along with the peace of mind.
Pros
- Very fast and stays stable even at top speed
- Comes at a fair price considering what it offers
- The bearings come sealed
Cons
- Does not fit well with cassettes
2. Most Durable: CDHPOWER 26″ Aluminum Mag Wheels
- Size: 26 inch
- Brake Compatibility: Disc brake
- Tire Compatibility: 26”×2.0” tires
In this aluminum and magnesium alloy wheel, you will get the most durability. Be it heavy load or extreme riding, this 26-inch aluminum mag wheel can handle anything you throw at it.
Aluminum is a metal that is hard and light in weight. The mixed aluminum with the magnesium not only makes the wheel light but also adds extra strength.
This alloy accounts for the extra points of durability. You will get better support from the wheel even in off-road tracks than its counterparts.
As the axles are included in the package that means you are ready to go as soon as you get your hand on the delivery box. You will not be wasting your time looking for the axle that fits this wheel.
So, the only thing that remains is installing the wheel and starting riding.
The manufacturers focus to make it extra durable because it is designed to use on motorized bicycles.
So, the primary effort goes into making it worthy on the engine first, and then the paddle. You will have an easier time accelerating and stopping with this wheel.
Pros
- Stronger spoke than the stock wheel
- Rims can hold out even on a rough road
- Durable almost under any conditions
Cons
- The paint is easy to peel
3. Most Lightweight: BBR Tuning 26 Inch Heavy Duty 3 Spoke
- Size: 26 inch
- Brake Compatibility: Disc only
- Tire Compatibility: 26” tires
When you want better mileage from the engine, the best path is to remove weight from the ride. Getting a lightweight wheel is the best thing you can do. This wheel will certainly up the numbers of average mileage you get.
Forget about those wheels with 20+ spokes, even the mag wheels that have 5+spokes. My theory is that the time it consumes cleaning them is proportional to the number of spokes.
This wheel gets you rid of the cleaning effort as it has only 3 spokes. It would take minimum time and effort to clean this wheel.
Its lightweight nature coupling with the aerodynamic properties makes it one of the fastest wheels out there. It will not only be easy to paddle it but also you will get better mileage. Due to the lightweight, it takes less effort from the engine to keep it rotating.
It has enough damping capacity that enables it to take enough hits from the road. If you don’t ride off road constantly, this wheel will last for a long time.
On the road, your mind can rest knowing this wheel can handle quick turns, sudden stops, or fast acceleration very well.
Pros
- Comes with an aerodynamic design
- The design is very stylish and eye-catching
- Requires very low maintenance
Cons
- Struggles when riding rough on off-road
4. Best Heavy Duty: BBR Tuning HEAVY DUTY Disc Brake Ready
- Size: 26 inch
- Brake Compatibility: Disc
- Tire Compatibility: 26″ x 1.5″ to 26″ x 2.25″ tires
If you want heavy duty motorized bicycle wheels that always performs no matter the time or place, then this wheel would be a wise choice. It can take on everything that is thrown at it while riding.
This wheel can comfortably handle 80cc engines. You will have enough control even riding off-road. This wheel will complement the engine to get the best out of it.
As it is designed for motor engines, you can relax as both engine and wheel will work together to give you the best experience.
Due to its heavy-duty build, you will be able to ride almost on any terrain. The wheel is unlikely to get damaged from rough riding.
If you can modify your cycle to carry a load, you will be making the most out of these wheels. Because will be easily able to carry extra load thanks to their build.
The front wheel is disc brake ready. That means you can start riding as soon as you install the front wheel. It will also save you a few bucks as you won’t have to buy a separate brake for the front wheel.
Pros
- Front-wheel comes with a disc brake
- Heavy-duty build quality makes it long-lasting
- Comes in two colors, black, and ash
Cons
- Might feel a bit pricey for what it offers
5. Best for beach riding: 29″ Mag Wheel Set
- Size: 29 inch
- Brake Compatibility: Disc only
- Tire Compatibility: 29” tire
In case you like riding your bicycle on the sandy shore or on a rough road, the bigger tire will be a great aid to your bike.
With this 29-inch wheel, you will get a larger diameter. As the diameter increases, tires tend to last longer.
Because a larger diameter has more surface area. So, pressure from traction is spread across the whole tire. This larger size also aids the tires when treading through the sand.
These wheels weigh around 9 pounds which makes them very efficient. The manufacturer found the right balance between the weight and building the structure.
The weight is evenly distributed among the 5 spokes. You will get decent mileage from these wheels without any doubt.
On top of the large diameter, it also has 6-hole brake pattern. You can install almost any kind of disc brake you prefer. It helps to a certain degree if you are enthusiastic to modify the ride.
This feature helps to make your riding safer as you get to install the brake you are comfortable with.
Pros
- Very durable and light for riding
- Compatible with a two-stroke engine
- Almost any type of brake can be installed
Cons
- Most of the time they come with scratches
How to Choose the Best Mag Wheels for Motorized Bicycle:
Build Type
You can make your pick from three types of wheels. These are light, strong, and aerodynamic.
Due to the difference in design, they are suitable for different terrain and needs. You should pick the build type depending on the general usage. The build type separates the best mag wheels for motorized bicycle from the regular ones.
For example, light and aerodynamic wheels are better for commuting. While the strong wheels for favored for driving in off-road conditions.
In case, you are into racing on smooth tracks then you will get the most output with an aerodynamic wheel. The light wheel is energy efficient, so you will get better mileage and you will also have an easier time paddling it.
Compatibility
When ordering wheels online, one common mistake is forgetting about the compatibility of the bike body and wheel. One good example would be mismatching between axle length and bicycle’s fork gap.
There are other measurements like thread size, wheel size, blade design, and a few other components. These should match between the wheel and the bike body.
If you get a wheel that is not compatible then you are asking for trouble. There are little tweaks you can do to make the wheel fit your bike.
But their procedures will never beat the combination where measurements actually fit. So, before ordering make sure you have all the measurements fit right.
Tire Size
There is a lot of confusion when it comes to picking the tire size. Should you go for a smaller size? Will the bigger ones perform better?
Everyone usually asks themselves this question at least once. The real answer both small and big tires have their advantage and disadvantage. Let’s take a look at them.
In short, the smaller wheels will give you better control while the bigger wheels last longer. As the big wheels have a larger surface area, pressure from traction is less and more infrequent at the same spots.
And, the smaller ones have the opposite trait. For this reason, small wheels do not last as long as the bigger ones. But, with a smaller wheel, you will have more control even in off-road conditions.
Rim Width
The rim width comes into play when you install the tires. Many choose wide tires for their better grip. Others prefer slim tires for their efficiency.
No matter which team you belong to, your rim should be able to accommodate your preference. Otherwise, you will get stuck with the choice the rim gives you.
In layman’s terms, if you want better mileage then you should pick a wheel that has thinner width. Going with wider width means that you will get better control and grip but the engine will have to put on more effort.
Hole Spacing for Brakes
This is another forgetful aspect that pains the customer long after they have purchased the wheel. What and which types of brake you can install on your wheel depends on the hole spacing.
The 6-hole pattern design can accommodate almost all kinds of disc brakes available in the market. So, I would recommend getting a wheel that comes with 6 pattern designs.
Also Read: Best Mountain Bike Tire For Street And Trail
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Are mag wheels good?
Mag wheels are very low maintenance and aerodynamic. If the road is smooth enough then they offer the top performance. Not to mention their wheels look very cool and stylish.
2. Do bigger wheels make cycling easier?
It depends if it rotates at the same RPM as the small one. As the wheels get bigger, it needs proportionately more power to keep the RPM constant than the small wheels.
3. Are bikes with bigger wheels faster?
If the rotation per minute is the same on both the small wheel and the big wheel, then the bike will go faster with the bigger wheel. But keep in mind that a bigger wheel requires more power rotation.
4. How long do magnesium wheels last?
Most manufacturers’ warranty extends up to 10 years for magnesium wheels. So, you can assume that these wheels will go beyond 10 years if used with proper care.
5. How fast does an 80cc motorized bike go?
u003ca href=u0022https://www.bikeridereview.com/best-4-stroke-bicycle-engine-kit/u0022 target=u0022_blanku0022 rel=u0022noreferrer noopeneru0022u003eAn 80cc motorized bikeu003c/au003e can produce up to 5-6 HP. Which roughly translates into 25 to 35 miles per hour.
6. Are 26 wheels slower?
Their wheels are made for the road where you will have to react to situations very quickly. So, in general, it has slower top speed than its counterparts.
7. How long do motorized bikes last?
Motorized bikes can last from 5 years to 10 years depending on your usage pattern and driving style. Driving it constantly in rough conditions can reduce life as low as 3 years.
Bottom Line
Mag wheels are popular but you have to choose wisely. Because installing a subpar wheel with your motorized bicycle can end up in a severe accident in the worst case.
The best mag wheels for motorized bicycles will not only keep you safe but also give you a comfortable riding experience. You can pick any from my curated list as these are the few of the best wheels out there.