wielstel

Wielstel is a term used in Dutch to refer to a wheelset, the pair of bicycle wheels sold as a unit. A wheelset typically includes two rims with attached hubs and spokes, all assembled and tensioned as a single package. Tires and inner tubes are usually mounted separately and not considered part of the wheelset, though some retailers sell wheels with tires installed.

Components and variants: The main components are rims, hubs, spokes and nipples. Rims come in different diameters, most commonly 700c for road bikes and 29 inches for many mountain bikes, with varying inner widths. Hubs house the bearings and, on the rear wheel, the freehub body for cassettes. Spokes and nipples determine wheel stiffness and durability and may be 24–32 in number. Wheelsets can be built for rim brakes or disc brakes (disc brake wheels accommodate rotors on the hub). Drivetrain compatibility is defined by the rear freehub standard (for example Shimano/ SRAM, Campagnolo). Aesthetics and performance are influenced by materials (aluminum or carbon), weight, and whether the rims are tubeless-ready.

Axle and mounting standards: Front hubs may use quick-release skewers (often 9x100 mm) or through-axle standards (such as 12x100 mm). Rear hubs can use quick-release (9x135 mm) or through-axle formats (12x142 mm or 12x148 mm Boost). Tire width, rim width, and freehub compatibility determine whether a wheelset fits a given frame and braking system.

Applications and maintenance: Wheelsets are chosen for road, mountain, gravel, or cyclocross use, balancing weight, stiffness, durability, and aerodynamics. Regular maintenance includes truing, spoke tension checks, and hub bearing servicing; components may require replacement due to wear or damage.

A wheelset thus serves as a modular, interchangeable foundation for a bicycle’s performance and compatibility across frames and brakes.