BMX bikes come with two different kinds of rims. These are double wall rims and single wall rims. The quality difference is massive between these two type of rims. Most low level complete bikes or low level wheels are single wall. They do not last, but they are usually cheap. I really recommend double wall rims for everyone. Even beginners, here’s why.
Single Wall Rims
In a single wall rim there is only one “chamber”. These rims do not have very much strength to them, but are usually the least expensive. Single wall rims come on most cheap entry level bikes.
Pros
- Light
- Cheap
Cons
- Very Weak
- bend over time
Double Wall Rims
How to tell if a bmx rim is double wall? The only way to do this is by removing the tire and tube and looking through the valve stem hole. If you see two layers of rim it is double wall. If there is only one layer.. It is single wall.
A double wall rim has 2x “chambers” making up the rim. These rims are usually the best strength to weight ratio. You will find double wall rims on most mid to pro level bikes. They offer a huge performance advantage to single wall rims and I recommend them for any level of riding.
Pros
- Very practical
- Good strength to weight ratio
- Holds up well for most riding
Cons
- More expensive than single wall
- Can be heavy
Triple Wall Rims
Triple Wall rims are pretty rare to be honest. Most riders can get away with double wall rims, and very few people ride crazy enough to need triple wall rims. These rims are really expensive and pretty heavy. However, you will get extreme strength.
Pros
- Strongest rim available
- good luck breaking it
Cons
- Expensive
- Heavy
Choosing the Right Rim for You
Each rim has different price points, weights, and durability. Learning about what kind of rim you need for the level of riding that you want to achieve is important. There is no sense in buying triple wall rims if you are just starting out. Learning to understand what rim is perfect for you will help you a lot as you move through bmx.
36 hole vs 48 hole rims
36 Hole Rims
36 hole means the number of spokes that your wheel has. Back in the day, bikes had 48 hole rims. As the quality of parts increased, we found that 36 hole rims still provided enough strength and it weighed a lot less. 36 hole is the most common for sure.
Pros
- Light
- cheaper to build because you need less spokes
Cons
- Weaker than 48 hole
48 Hole Rims
48 hold rims are pretty old school. They offer a ton of strength, but you trade it for extra weight. For the most part, 36 hole rims will withstand most riding. Only get 48 hole rims if you like to do huge drops and gaps.
Pros
- Very Strong
Cons
- Heavy
Pinned Rims vs. Welded Rims
There are two ways to seal a rim together. One option is cheap but causes rims to fall apart. The other option costs a little more, but makes a much better rim.
Pinned Rims
A pinned rim is when the rim is held together by little pins. This is kinda hard to explain so I put a video above. Pinned rims are cheap and usually fall apart over time. Almost all single wall rims will be help together by pins.
Above you can see a pinned rim starting to fall apart. This happens over time as you ride harder and harder.
Pros
- Cheap
Cons
- Not durable
Welded Rims
Most quality bmx rims come with a welded seam. This keeps the rim together and makes it more durable. Welded rims are the way to go. I recommend it for all types of riding.
Pros
- Best quality
Cons
- a little more expensive
Conclusion
A lot of choosing a rim is up to preference. But understanding the different makeups of a bmx rim will help you understand the best option for you. Make sure to get a rim that holds up to your riding and a spoke about that doesn’t blow up mid session.
Leave a comment below and let me know if I missed something.
