The Best Motorized Bike Wheels for Your Next Build

Whether you're a commuter or a racer, anyone riding a gas-powered bicycle knows how important high-quality motorized bike wheels are. Not only can the proper rims give your ride a slick, personalized look, but the right wheels can make a difference between a safe or unsafe motorized bicycle build. With so many options out there, it can be hard to choose. Should you color coordinate? What are the sturdiest heavy-duty motorized bike wheels? What rims will give you the best performance? What’s the difference between mag wheels and spoke rims? These are all questions you should ask yourself when considering motorized bike wheels. That’s why we’re here to help you make an informed choice. Whether you’re putting together your first build or looking to upgrade your existing motorized bicycle, we want to point you in the right direction. That way you’ll be cruising on a motorized bike that’s stylish, efficient, and safe. Before we get into the best motorized bike wheels for your build, let’s talk about what you should consider first.

Spoke Rims vs. Mag Wheels

Putting together the perfect motorized bicycle requires serious thought. The last thing you want to do is install a 2-stroke engine or 4-stroke engine on a bicycle and end up with a subpar build. That’s why you need to take every aspect of your motorized bike into consideration — from the engine itself to the wheels you’re going to use.

Traditional Spoke Heavy-Duty Motorized Bike Wheels

Standard single-speed and cruiser wheels are a staple of motorized bikes. There are a lot of options out there, so it’s important to find rims that feature strong spokes. When choosing motorized bike wheels, 12 gauge rims offer reinforced quality versus weaker 16 gauge rims, so definitely keep that in mind. There are plenty of advantages to using standard spoke motorized bike wheels:

• Unparalleled durability compared to other rims.
• Great for off-roading and riding through rough terrain.
• Slightly flexible, making them great for sharp turns and tricky obstacles.
• Fairly easy to fix — that said, you might need to do unwanted maintenance from time to time.
• Good if you want a classic, simple design that’s not too attention-grabbing.
• Best for motorized bicycle riders looking for a strong rim. Typically, 12 gauge wheels hold up better than a lot of other rims. Their hubs are built stronger so they can withstand different levels of riding, from simple commuting to extreme off-roading. Standard spoke wheels are also highly compatible with different sprockets right out of the box — no modifications necessary.

Motorized Bike Mag Wheels

Mag wheels stand out due to their spoke-less designs and old school aesthetics. That said, they’re not just all about style as mags also offer performance and functionality. If you opt to go with motorized bike mag wheels, you’ll find that they offer some great benefits:

• Faster acceleration due to lightweight alloy and design.
• Sturdy design makes mags great for high-speed riding.
• Not much maintenance required.
• Come in a variety of styles.
• A throwback to ‘80s-style cruisers.
• Best for motorized bike riders who want to reach high speeds and torque with no issues. Mag wheels are made with tougher, more rigid material. This helps if you're going to be reaching high speeds on the road. Mags are usually disc brake-compatible, too, so you don't need to worry about modifying these wheels if you're looking to use a disc brake on your motorized bicycle.

The Best 26-Inch Motorized Bike Wheels

Now that you know what spoke wheels and motorized bike mag wheels have to offer in terms of performance, you’ll be able to make an informed decision. So what wheels should you go with for your bike? Here are the best motorized bike wheels of 2020.

1. Editor’s Choice: BBR Tuning 26 Inch Heavy-Duty 10 Spoke STAR Motorized Bike Mag Wheel Set

The BBR Tuning 26 Inch Heavy-Duty 10 Spoke STAR Motorized Bike Mag Wheel Set is both stylish and efficient. These are some of the coolest, most unique mags around. The wheels’ 10 spokes form a “star” shape, giving them a look that’s both retro and modern. Beyond the slick design of these motorized bike mag wheels, they’re also among the most efficient rims around. These mags are made with heavy-duty metal and upgraded bearings. That means you’ll be able to go on long, fast motorized bike rides with no problem. The star-shaped design of these mag wheels for better weight displacement. Whether you're focusing on top end speed or high amounts of torque (or both), these mags are designed to provide more traction and drive for your motorized bicycle. If you’re installing a lot of high-performance parts on your bicycle engine, there’s really no question about which motorized bike mag wheels will suit your high-speed needs. The BBR Tuning 10 Spoke STAR Mags are made with fast riding in mind. They’re disc brake-ready and come with a pre-installed 36-tooth motorized bike sprocket, ensuring fast speeds whether you’re riding to work or taking on competitors on the racing circuit. Motorized Bike Mag Wheel Specs

• Size: 26in x 1in
• Tire compatibility: 26in x 1.5in to 26in x 1.95in
• Brake compatibility: Disc brakes
• Extra: Pre-installed 36-tooth motorized bicycle sprocket

Our Price: $139.99 | Available in Black, Silver, White, and Red

2. For Carrying Heavy Loads: Heavy-Duty 12 Gauge Freewheel 26 Inch x 1.25 Inch Rim Set

The Heavy-Duty 12 Gauge Freewheel 16 Inch x 1.25 Inch Rim Set is a great choice whether you need a new set of rims for your motorized bike or your standard non-motor bicycle. These wheels can carry up to 250 pounds with no problems. That’s because they feature heavy-duty spokes, so you don’t have to worry about any roadside bike emergencies while riding. A lot of times, the spokes on tires can break or pop off. You never know what can happen when you’re doing 30 to 40 MPH on a motorized bike across rough terrain. Thankfully, these 12 gauge 26-inch motorized bike wheels are designed for riders who need strong spokes. Designed for fast, easy riding, these freewheel 26-inch motorized bike wheels allow you to gain more ground while pedaling. You’ll also be able to climb hills a lot more smoothly, which is perfect if you commute through hilly terrain on a daily basis. Spoke Rim Specs

• Size: 26in x 1.25in
• Tire compatibility: 26in x 1.25in to 26in x 2.25in
• Brake compatibility: Caliper brakes

Our Price: $74.95 | Available in Black and Silver; Coaster Brake Option Also Available in Black and Silver

3. For Fast Speeds: BBR Tuning 26 Inch Heavy-Duty 3 Spoke Motorized Bike Mag Wheel Set

The BBR Tuning 26 Inch Heavy-Duty 3 Spoke Motorized Bike Mag Wheel Set is perfect if you need rims that are highly aerodynamic. Rather than having a traditional spoke design, these mags feature three large fins spaced evenly. As such, you’ll be able to reach high speeds while riding your motorized bicycle. Don’t let the three-spoke design of these motorized bike mag wheels fool you, though. They may have a minimalist look to them, but these rims are still made with heavy-duty materials. If you’re constantly taking on rugged terrain while riding your motorized bicycle, you can rest assured that these rims will be tough and strong enough to take on any challenge. If you’re a fast rider who doesn’t want to sacrifice quality and durability, these are the wheels you need. Motorized Bike Mag Wheel Specs

• Size: 26in x 1.5in
• Tire compatibility: 26in x 1.5in to 26in x 1.95in
• Brake Compatibility: Disc brakes
• Extra: Pre-installed 36-tooth motorized bicycle sprocket

Our Price: $119.95 | Available in Black, Silver, White, and Red

4. For Off-Road Terrain: 26” Fat Tire Coaster Brake Beach Cruiser Wheel Set

The 26” Fat Tire Coaster Brake Beach Cruiser Wheel Set is perfect for motorized bicycle riders who like to go off the beaten path. Fat tires offer extra tread and control if you’re riding in the snow, dirt, or mud. This is great if you take your motorized bike off-roading, or if you like taking alternate routes while commuting. These fat tire rims are made with convenience in mind. Rather than forcing you to put together a tricky wheel-and-brake combo like other sets, these wheels come with the coaster brake pre-installed. That means all you have to do is open up the box, install these wheels on your bike, and start riding. If you’re putting together a build for all-terrain riding with fat tires or oversized balloon tires, this set of 26-inch motorized bike wheels is the best choice — and the best fit. Spoke Rim Specs

• Size: 26in x 3in
• Tire compatibility: 26in x 3in to 26in x 4in
• Brake compatibility: Coaster brakes
• Extra: Coaster brake wheel fully assembled out of the box

Our Price: $99.95 | Available in Black and Silver; 7-Speed Option Also Available in Black and Silver

5. Best for First-Time Mag Wheel Users: BBR Tuning 26 Inch Heavy-Duty Motorized Bike Mag Wheel Set

The BBR Tuning 26 Inch Heavy-Duty Motorized Bike Mag Wheel Set is perfect if you’re putting together your first mag build. Compared to other options, these mag wheels are the easiest to work with. Not only are they simple to assemble — you just put the axle through the hub and mount) — they're 1.5 inches wide which is the same size nearly all beach cruisers use. If you're used to standard rims and coaster brake wheels, these are a smooth transition into heavy-duty riding. Unlike other wheels, with these mag wheels you're not trading efficiency for ease of use. These rims still offer the perks that motorized bike mag wheels are known for, like being disc-brake ready, offering a pre-mounted motorized bike sprocket, sturdy construction, and overall support for faster speeds. The easy installation and low maintenance of these mag wheels ensures you get to what matters most: riding. Spoke Rim Specs

• Size: 26in x 1.5in
• Tire compatibility: 26in x 1.25in to 26in x 2.5in
• Brake compatibility: Disc brakes
• Extra: Pre-installed 36-tooth motorized bicycle sprocket

Our Price: $129.95 | Available in Black, Silver, White, and Red

Your Next Set of Motorized Bike Wheels

The wheels of a motorized bike are just as important as the rest of the build. Often, however, riders don’t put too much thought into the set of rims they’re going to equip their motorized bicycle with. The result is a bike that either underperforms on rougher terrain, or a build that simply isn’t as safe as it should be. Now that you know the differences between mag wheels and standard spoke wheels, as well as the benefits of different motorized bike wheels, you can make the best decision for your build. Whether you’re looking for the most durable or the coolest-looking set of rims, you really can’t go wrong with any of the options presented here. Editor’s note: This post was originally published in September 2017 and has been updated as of December 2020 for accuracy and comprehensiveness.