Because WTB designs and manufactures both tires and rims, we can focus on a consistent interface between the two. While all mountain bike tires are based around an established bead seat diameter (559-millimeter for 26-inch tires and 622-millimeters for 29er tires) you’ll find a wide variance in many brands. Some brands of tires fit rims so tightly that tools are necessary for installation. Some brands fit so loosely that they easily fall right off the rim. WTB rims and tires feature a consistent interface for easy installation and increased safety.

The I-Beam, found exclusively on LaserDisc series rims, was pioneered by WTB in 1994. This distinctive, centrally located vertical support counters spoke loads and provides torsional rigidity.

An additional band of aluminum added to the rim’s sidewall that counters torsional, radial and lateral flex. This rib, which replaces the braking surface, provides an impressive boost in strength with a negligible difference in weight. This WTB innovation is found on Stryker, Frequency, and LaserDisc series rims. Stronger than a school of angry Sea Bass, with frickin laser beams mounted on their heads.

WTB’s proprietary Global Bead Seat design utilizes deeper grooves for the bead seats as well as two raised lips that lock the tire’s beads into place on the rim. GBS–featured on LaserDisc, SpeedDisc and Dual Duty series rims–holds the tire firmly in place and greatly reduces the chance of “burping” the tire off the rim in heavy lateral loading.

LaserDisc wheels are built with top-quality WTB-branded spokes. These premium double-butted spokes are much thicker at the J-bend (the weakest point on the average spoke), yet they still weigh less than standard spokes. WTB spokes are 2.5 millimeters at the elbow, where standard double-butted spokes are 2.0 millimeters at this point. These small differences add up to a stronger, stiffer wheelset.

This feature–found on Dual Duty, SX and DX series rims–is a groove in the braking surface that, when it no longer exists, indicates that the rim needs to be replaced due to sidewall wear from the use of rim brakes.

Proprietary WTB rubber rim strips are 11-millimeters in width and are designed to compliment Safety Seal rims. We recommend using these strips with any WTB rim, as wider rim strips can interfere with the tire’s bead seat.

Each LaserDisc rear hub features a cold-forged, fully machined aluminum hub shell and alloy freehub. Power transfer is driven through six, double-sided pawls, totaling 12 points of engagement.

LaserDisc rear hubs roll on four sets of sealed cartridge bearings and front hubs utilize two sets of sealed cartridge bearings. All bearings are stainless steel.

Bearing preload is easily adjustable on LaserDisc Lite hubs through the adjustment nut and locknut.

WTB 29er rims feature a 622-millimeter/700c bead seat diameter, and a minimum bead opening of 21-millimeters. This minimum width is the defining element that separates 29er rims from 700c trekking, hybrid and road racing rims. Narrower rims are not designed for today’s wider 29er tires.