The 6 Best Chinese Carbon Mountain Bike Wheels (from Proven Manufacturers)

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This is a selection of the best Chinese mountain bike wheels. I selected them based on reviews and experiences of riders worldwide to provide you with the best recommendation possible.

Please keep in mind that if you are a demanding rider who pushes your mountain bike to its limits, carbon rims are probably not the best option for your riding style (learn more), and you might still benefit from aluminum ones.

• The best budget Chinese carbon mountain bike wheels are the ICAN Trail F935 wheels.
• The best Chinese carbon MTB wheels overall are the Farsports Asymmetric 29″. Use the CYCLISTSHUB50 code to get 50 USD OFF your purchase.
• The best premium Chinese carbon wheels are the Elitewheels 29ER PRO33 wheels. Use the CYCLISTSHUB code to get 10 % OFF.

In this article, you will also learn how to identify established and reliable Chinese carbon manufacturers, what to be aware of when buying Chinese carbon wheels, and much more.

Before You Buy Chinese Carbon MTB Wheels

If the manufacturer meets these criteria, you greatly increase the chance of spending your money wisely and avoiding the potential hassle.

What Are the Best Chinese Carbon MTB Wheels?

I selected only wheels covered by a warranty (eventually, a crash replacement program). The following wheels were also properly stress tested and passed quality control tests.

Best Budget

Use this ICAN discount code CYCLISTSHUB on www.icancycling.com during checkout to get 5% OFF your purchase. Share this code via email.

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Best Overall

Use this Wheelsfar (Farsports) discount code CYCLISTSHUB50 at www.wheelsfar.com during checkout to get 50 USD OFF your purchase. Share this code via email.

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Best for Demanding

Use this Elitewheels discount code CYCLISTSHUB at elite-wheels.com on the checkout page to get 15% OFF your purchase. Share this code via email.

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Skip to the comparison table…

If you don’t know where to begin choosing Chinese carbon MTB wheels, I recommend reading the buyer’s guide first.

ICAN Trail F935 & Enduro F935E

ICAN produces not only carbon road bike wheels but also a few MTB-specific wheelsets. Their Enduro F935E and Trail F935 are very similar.

The only difference between these two is that the Enduro F935E wheels are slightly heavier due to the larger number of spokes (32) for increased durability, because enduro is usually more challenging. The Trail F935 version weighs 1959g and has 28 spokes.

You can choose a hub body type (Shimano 10/11 speed, Shimano 12 speed, or SRAM XD Driver) to ensure compatibility with your groupset.

These wheelsets are affordable, so if you have a tight budget but want to upgrade to carbon rims, ICAN wheels are worth your consideration.

Farsports Asymmetric 29″

Farsports is an established carbon wheel manufacturer from Xiamen, China. Founded in 2004, it has been developing and manufacturing carbon wheels for all types of bikes, including MTBs. I have been using their road bike wheels, and they are rock solid.

Their offer Ultralight series includes Asymmetric 29er MTB wheels—their asymmetry results in better durability and stiffness. Make sure to also check out the Ultralight (non asymmetric). These wheels meet the ISO 4210 standard, and according to Farsports, their internal impact tests are even stricter.

You can choose the rim finish (UD matte or satin finish), hub spec depending on the axle, freehub body (Shimano, XD, or XTR), and also nipples (black alloy, black brass, red alloy). The rim depth and width vary depending on the specific option. You can choose it as well.

Farsports wheels are covered by a 2-year warranty.

Elitewheels 27.5ER PRO28 & 29ER PRO33

Elitewheels, as its name suggests, focuses on developing and manufacturing carbon wheels. They have been on the market since 2013 and have a huge OEM factory, so they have a lot of experience.

Their PRO series includes 27.5″ & 29″ wheels, so you can choose the size you prefer. Keep in mind that their technical specifications differ slightly. They are also available in additional rim widths.

The PRO line is characteristic of its low weight, high stiffness, and durability. All rims are tubeless-ready and have a hookless profile. So, make sure to use compatible tires only.

You can choose the color of the decals, hubs, freehub type, and hubs based on your budget and preference.

Elitewheels come with a 3-year warranty and a 60-day free trial period. You can try them and eventually decide to return them.

Farsports Ultralight 29″

Farsports Ultralight MTB wheels (non-asymmetric) are lighter than the asymmetric wheels. So, if you are a weight weenie, these should catch your attention.

The main differences are the hubs (DT Swiss 350 on the asymmetric and DT Swiss 240 on the non-asymmetric version). Other specs, like the rim depths and widths, are more or less identical.

Even these Ultralight wheels meet the ISO 4210 standard, and you can choose hub type, finish, and nipples.

The warranty is also the same. You get a 2-year warranty.

If you are interested in building a whole new mountain bike, make sure to check out these Chinese carbon MTB frames.

Light Bicycle MTB Wheels (Recon Pro Series)

Light Bicycle offers the possibility of customizing wheelsets. They take it to a whole new level, though. You can choose almost everything during the order. From rim width and rim depth through spokes and spokes count to hubs, hubs color, etc.

Thanks to investments in R&D and many years of experience in carbon processing (Light Bicycle has been on the market since 2011), its wheels are high-quality and reliable.

Currently, Light Bicycle produces 2 main series of MTB wheels – Recon and Recon Pro. The Recon Pro models are manufactured using an innovative process, ensuring the wheels don’t need paint or polish when removed from the mold. They are also 3-5% stronger than equivalent Recon rims and are covered by a five-year warranty (Recons have a 3-year warranty).

The disadvantage of Recon Pro rims is that they are more expensive. They are available in two sizes (27.5″ and 29″) and have no eye-catching decals.

Depending on what types of wheels you are looking for, I recommend using filters on their website to help you choose the right wheels for your riding style.

My Verdict

Some online markets are flooded with unbranded Chinese wheels. I don’t recommend buying them because you don’t know where they come from, and eventual claims may be a hassle.

Get branded Chinese carbon wheels from established manufacturers instead. This article includes only properly tested MTB wheels covered by a warranty. And in case of any issues, you can always contact the brand’s customer support for assistance.

Read the following guide to find out how to choose Chinese carbon MTB wheels and avoid beginner’s mistakes.

How to Choose the Best Chinese Carbon MTB Wheels?

Before buying a carbon mountain bike wheelset, you should answer the following question, which can save you hundreds of dollars.

Are you a demanding and aggressive rider pushing your bike to its limits?

If the answer is yes and you’ve bent some aluminum wheels already, carbon wheels (and it doesn’t matter if they are from a mainstream brand or China) are probably not the best choice for you. They tend to crack more easily and are harder to repair than aluminum rims.

Jeff Cayley from Worldwide Cyclery did a great video on this topic.

Wheels Size

Today’s mountain bikes usually come with 27.5″ or 29″ wheels. 26″ wheels were more common in the past.

Depending on the frame you use (some frames are designed specifically for certain wheel sizes) and your personal preference, I recommend getting 27.5″ or 29″ wheels.

27.5″ wheels are better for shorter people or riders who like a more agile bike (smaller wheels accelerate faster).

29″ wheels are suitable for taller riders, but I have a friend who measures 5’ 1½″ (156 cm) and uses them too. Thanks to their bigger inertia, 29-inch wheels can maintain speed better and are more stable than 27.5-inch wheels. Their larger contact area also ensures better traction.

Rim Width

The wider the rims, the wider and higher-volume tires can accommodate. Don’t forget to consider the appropriate rim width depending on the terrain you want to ride in.

Matt Miller from Singletracks.com did a great job of explaining this topic in-depth. So, if you want to learn more, don’t miss his mountain bike rim widths guide.

Clincher vs. Tubular vs. Tubeless

Should you get clincher, tubular, or tubeless wheels? I answer this question below.

Clincher

Clinchers are pretty popular thanks to their user-friendliness. Replacing the inner tube after a puncture is much easier than replacing tubular tires, for example.

Their main downside is that they are prone to puncture because they won’t allow you to inflate lower pressures (as tubular or tubeless do), and they may also feel slower due to their higher overall weight.

NOTE: If the wheels are ‘clincher tubeless-ready,’ you can use them with tubeless tires (read more).

Tubeless

Tubeless tires are also very popular among mountain bikers because they have a self-repairing ability. The sealant can fill out small holes, so you will most likely be able to continue on your ride if you puncture in terrain.

This type of tire also allows you to inflate lower pressures, making it more comfortable and less prone to puncture than standard clinchers. The main downside of tubeless tires is their higher price and difficulty when replacing them.

Tubular

Yes, there are also MTB tubular tires. They are not very common among mountain bikers because they don’t bring many benefits to mountain biking. Replacing them is more difficult, and the gluing process can be messy for newbies.

The following table summarizes the advantages and disadvantages of individual wheel types.

Weight

The truth is that high-end aluminum mountain bike wheels can be as light as a pair of carbon wheels. So, what weight should you aim for?

Well, it depends. MTB wheels come in many more options than road bike wheels. Their weight is affected mainly by the wheel size, rims, hubs, and spokes.

The best way to compare wheel weight is to find a wheelset from a mainstream manufacturer in the same price range and make your own decision. Remember that super lightweight wheels usually sacrifice durability.

Hubs

“What spins on a bike has to be high-quality,” says my friend. And hubs are no exception. High-quality hubs are important to ensure the best performance possible.

Some Chinese manufacturers allow you to customize the hubs and choose from established manufacturers, like DT Swiss, Novatec, etc. Some Chinese brands use their own hubs.

So, how do you determine whether the hubs are good? That’s a good question. You have to either rely on the hub’s manufacturer’s reputation or customer reviews.

Axle Standard

Quick releases are less common now than through axles, which are more secure and stiffer. When buying new wheels, you must know the axle standard. Otherwise, you may not fit your new wheels into your frame.

Luckily, most new bikes are compatible with a Boost axle (110×15mm front axle and 148×12mm rear axle).

Other Features to Consider

Engagement angle
According to DT Swiss, the engagement angle is the maximum degree to which the freehub body can rotate until the teeth of the freehub system engage and accelerate the hub. This angle is calculated by dividing 360º by the number of engagement points of the freehub system.

What does this mean?

The more engagement points, the faster acceleration. However, more engagement points require a larger hub and also increase its weight. As DT Swiss explains, there is always a tradeoff between weight, points of engagement, and reliability. Feel free to read more about the engagement angle in the in-depth DT Swiss guide.

Spokes
The number of spokes influences the wheels’ overall stiffness, durability, and weight. More spokes often ensure better durability, but increase the weight. So, depending on your riding style (and weight), you should go for lighter, less durable wheels or heavier, more durable wheels.

Weight limit
Remember that wheels come with a rider’s weight limit. If you are a heavy rider, 220 lb (100 kg+) or more, ensure you get wheels designed for your weight.

Rim depth
Although aerodynamics is not as important on mountain bikes as on road bikes, some wheels are deeper or shallower than others. The general rule of thumb is that the deeper the wheels, the more aero they are, but their weight increases.

What is included in the package
Carbon wheels often come with rim tape, valve extenders, brake pads, extra spokes, etc. These small “things” are nice details that will save you time and money because you don’t have to order them separately.

Chinese Carbon Mountain Bike Wheels FAQ

This post is regularly updated to provide the most up-to-date product tips. If you find a product that is not up to date, please contact me.