Best Brake Bike Rims of 2026
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Brake bike rims are an essential component in any cyclist's arsenal. These rims are designed to provide maximum stopping power and safety during a ride. By incorporating a specially designed braking surface on the rim, these bike rims are able to provide consistent and reliable stopping power in all weather conditions. Whether you're a professional cyclist or a casual rider, brake bike rims are an important investment that will keep you safe and secure on the road. With a range of options available to suit all budgets and riding styles, there's never been a better time to upgrade your bike's braking system with high-quality brake bike rims.
At a Glance: Our Top Picks
Top 10 Brake Bike Rims
Velocity USA Cliffhanger 700C Rim
The Velocity Cliffhanger Rim is built tough with short, strong sidewalls that help prevent pinch flats and withstand impacts, perfect for rough and aggressive riding. Its 700c alloy design includes a 25mm internal width, giving your tires better support, which means improved grip and a more comfortable ride whether you’re on pavement or trails. It’s tubeless-ready and works with Velotape, so you can set up a lightweight, puncture-resistant wheel that rolls smoothly. Plus, it’s precisely made to fit modern disc brakes with a 597mm effective rim diameter and 36 holes, ensuring strong, durable performance for your bike.
Velocity Blunt 35 Rim 700c
The Velocity Blunt 35 Rim is designed to improve your riding experience, especially if you enjoy cross-country or trail biking. Its 35mm width gives your tires a larger contact area with the ground, which helps with better grip and control on varied surfaces. This rim is perfect for those who want a reliable wheel for off-road adventures. Previously known as the Velocity P-35, it offers a trusted design that riders already appreciate. Plus, it's made to work well with tubeless setups when used with Velocity's recommended Velotape, giving you the advantage of fewer flats and easier maintenance.
Wheel Master 20" Alloy BMX Bike Rims
Wheel Master Alloy BMX Rims are high-quality 20" rims designed for BMX bikes. The sleek black color adds style to your ride. With a 36H spoke count, these rims offer durability and strength. The single-speed design simplifies your biking experience, making it easier to ride. These rims are compatible with rim brakes, providing you with efficient stopping power when you need it most. Crafted with alloy rims, W/M Steel hub, and 14G BK spokes, these rims ensure long-lasting performance for your biking adventures.
RaceFace AR 30 29" Disc Rim
The RaceFace AR 30 Rim offers a smart design that improves your riding experience. Its asymmetric nipple bed balances spoke tension, giving your wheel better strength and stability. This means you get a more reliable ride without worrying about wheel damage. The rim is also tubeless compatible, allowing you to run tires without inner tubes. This setup reduces the chance of flats and provides better traction. Plus, the rim features strong tire retention, so your tires stay securely in place, even on rough trails. With the RaceFace AR 30 Rim, you get a durable, performance-focused wheel component that suits serious riders.
Motobecane Night Train 29 Fat Bike Wheel Set
The Motobecane Night Train Wheels come with tires and tubes already mounted, saving you time and effort during setup. Designed with a 150mm front and 190mm rear thru axle, or options for 197mm thru axle or quick release, these wheels offer versatile compatibility with many fat bikes, giving you flexibility. The included Minion 29 x 2.4 tires provide excellent traction and durability for various terrains, enhancing your riding experience. Plus, the WTB i29 rims are all tubeless-compatible, which means you can enjoy a smoother ride with fewer flats once you add your own tubeless valves, tape, and sealant.
WTB KOM Tough i30 29" Tubeless Rim
The WTB KOM Tough Rim is designed to make your tubeless tire setup easier and more reliable. Its updated tubeless system helps you install tires smoothly and ensures they stay secure during your rides. The rim features a centered channel that holds the tubeless strip in place, preventing it from sagging and keeping a solid connection between the tire and rim. Also, the rim uses an angled spoke drilling method that reduces stress on the spokes and spreads tension evenly, which can improve wheel durability and performance. With these features, the WTB KOM Tough Rim offers a more dependable and hassle-free riding experience.
DT Swiss FR541 Disc Rim
The DT Swiss FR541 Rim is built with strong aluminum and a hooked tubeless design, making it easy for you to install on your 29" disc brake bike and providing lasting durability. It features the Pro Head Reinforcement system, which boosts resistance to pinch flats by 17%, so you can tackle tough trails without worrying about damage. With a 30mm internal width, this rim helps keep your tires stable and improves grip, giving you better control on rough terrain. Plus, it’s designed specifically for disc brakes, offering excellent heat management and consistent braking to keep your rides safe and smooth.
JMCHstore 6'' Rear Wheel Rim for Coleman CT100U Mini Bike
The JMCHstore 6'' Mini Bike Rim is designed to fit perfectly on Coleman CT100U and CC100X mini bikes, making installation quick and hassle-free for you. Its precise size and compatibility mean it matches your bike’s tires exactly, helping improve safety and overall riding performance. Made from durable, high-quality materials, this silver rim can handle different riding conditions without wearing out easily, so you get long-lasting use. With detailed measurements provided, you can be confident it will fit your bike perfectly and enhance how it performs on the road or trail.
DT Swiss R 500 Road Rim
The DT Swiss R 500 Rim is designed for serious cyclists looking for quality and performance. Weighing in at 495 grams, it offers a lightweight option that helps improve your speed and efficiency on the road. With a 28-hole hub drilling, this rim provides excellent strength and stability, ensuring that your bike rides smoothly and reliably. The rim depth of 23 millimeters strikes a balance between aerodynamics and comfort, making it suitable for various riding conditions. Additionally, being tubeless-ready means you can easily set up your tires for a hassle-free experience and reduced risk of flats.
DT Swiss G540 Gravel Disc Rim
The DT Swiss G540 Rim is built for gravel riders who want durability and performance. Its strong joint design keeps the rim tough on rough trails, so you can trust it on any adventure. With a 24mm inner width, it supports wider tires up to 2.1 inches, giving you better grip and a smoother ride on mixed surfaces. Made from lightweight, double-walled aluminum, this rim balances strength and weight for reliable handling. Plus, it works with tubeless tires, which means less chance of flats, easier tire setup, and a faster, more comfortable ride for long distances.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Can you still buy rim brake bikes?
We've had a scout around and pulled together a list of rim brake bikes still being offered. It's clear that at the higher-end rim brakes appear to be dwindling with the very newest road bikes being designed entirely around disc brakes, but the lower the price the more rim brake choices increase.
2. What are rim brakes on a bike?
Rim brakes. Rim brakes are so called because braking force is applied by friction pads to the rim of the rotating wheel, thus slowing it and the bicycle. Brake pads can be made of leather, rubber or cork and are often mounted in metal "shoes". Rim brakes are typically actuated by a lever mounted on the handlebar.
3. Are rim brakes still good?
In terms of braking performance, disc brakes outperform rim brakes in almost every category. From variable weather conditions and steep descents, to quick stops in traffic and high-speed races, disc brakes are superior to rim brakes.
4. Are all rim brakes compatible?
The rim's speed past the brake is nearly the same regardless of wheel size, and so a rim brake works equally well on any size wheel. Because a rim brake operates at nearly the full diameter of the wheel, the clamping force for a given amount of braking is much lighter than for a hub brake.
During our brake bike rim research, we found 24 brake bike rim products and shortlisted 10 quality products. We collected and analyzed 3,292 customer reviews through our big data system to write the brake bike rims list. We found that most customers choose brake bike rims with an average price of $99.23.
The brake bike rims are available for purchase. We have researched hundreds of brands and picked the top brands of brake bike rims, including Velocity, WheelMaster, RaceFace, Motobecane, WTB. The seller of top 1 product has received honest feedback from 962 consumers with an average rating of 4.6.
Jason Kiser is an editor who lives in California, he previously worked in a travel agency for ten years, which enabled him to travel a number of interesting countries and experience several different cultures along the way. His range of job and travel experiences grant him expertise in hiking, camping, outdoors and fitness.