E-Bike Parts

Wheels & Rims

Replacement wheels and rims, including motor-compatible dropout widths.

E-bike wheels live a hard life. They carry more weight, stop harder, and on hub-drive bikes the rear wheel is also the motor, so a bent rim or a broken spoke is more than an inconvenience. Front wheels and non-motor rear wheels on mid-drive bikes are standard bike parts and straightforward to replace; the rear motor wheel on a hub-drive bike is a different animal, because the hub is the motor and the wheel usually has to come as a motor-and-rim assembly.

For a standard wheel, the checklist is familiar: wheel size (20, 26, 27.5, 29 inch or 700c, confirmed by the ETRTO rim diameter), axle type and dropout width (100mm front and 135mm rear are common, wider on fat bikes, with thru-axles on some newer bikes), disc brake mount (six-bolt or Centerlock), and for rear wheels whether it uses a freehub body for a cassette or a threaded shell for a freewheel. Rim internal width should suit your tire width, and a higher spoke count (36 is typical on e-bikes) adds strength.

For a motor wheel, the motor's voltage, power and connector must match your controller, and the rim must match your tire; see the hub motor category for the electrical side. A wheel that almost fits is not a wheel that fits, so measure your dropouts and read your tire's ETRTO number before ordering, and confirm on your bike that the brake rotor and cogs transfer over. Wheel purchases are also a good moment to upgrade: a stronger rim and heavier spokes can cure a wheel that kept breaking spokes.

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Open a product for our full notes, pros and cons, and the link to its Amazon listing. We do not sell or ship products ourselves.

Wheels & Rims

20-Inch Fat Bike Front Wheel, 80 mm Rim, Disc (generic)

The front wheel on a fat folding e-bike is a plain bicycle wheel: no motor, a 6-bolt disc hub, and an 80 mm wide rim for a 4-inch tire. When one gets tacoed by a pothole, a generic replacement is the cheapest fix, and several sellers list 20-inch fat front wheels with an alloy double-wall rim and a quick-release or bolt-on hub. Check your fork's dropout spacing (100 mm and 135 mm both exist on these bikes) and hub type before ordering. Tire, tube and rotor are usually not included.

Best for: Replacing a bent front wheel on a 20x4 fat folder · Riders who want a spare front wheel for a second tire setup · Budget repairs

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Sold on Amazon

Wheels & Rims

26-Inch Rear Wheel, Thread-On Freewheel Hub, 135 mm, Disc (generic)

This is the replacement rear wheel for a mid-drive conversion or a front-hub e-bike with a 26-inch wheel, where the rear is a plain non-motor wheel with a thread-on freewheel hub. It is not a replacement for a rear hub-motor wheel. Generic alloy double-wall wheels with a 6-bolt disc hub and 135 mm spacing are widely sold and cheap; the better ones have sealed bearings and come trued. Check whether your bike takes a thread-on freewheel or a cassette freehub, because the two are not interchangeable and many budget listings are freewheel-only.

Best for: Mid-drive or front-hub e-bikes with a plain 26-inch rear wheel · Replacing a cracked rim or badly bent wheel · Budget conversions

View details & where to buy

Sold on Amazon

How to choose wheels & rims

Wheel size by ETRTO

Match the rim diameter number (406, 559, 584, 622) on your tire, not just the inch size. Folding and fat 20-inch bikes mostly use 406.

Dropout width and axle type

Measure inside the dropouts and note quick-release, solid axle, or thru-axle. Common values are 100mm front and 135mm rear, with 170mm and wider on fat bikes.

Brake mount

Six-bolt is most common on e-bikes; Centerlock needs a splined hub. Match what your rotor is.

Freehub or freewheel

Rear wheels take either a cassette on a freehub body (with a specific standard) or a thread-on freewheel. Your existing cogs decide.

Rim width and spoke count

Choose an internal rim width appropriate for your tire and prefer 36 spokes for heavier bikes. Double-wall rims are a minimum for e-bike duty.

Motor wheel electrical match

For rear motor wheels, the motor must match the controller's voltage, current and connector; treat it as a motor purchase that happens to include a rim.

Compatibility notes

Dropout width, axle type and brake mount are frame-specific; confirm on your bike before ordering.
Cassette freehub standards (HG, Micro Spline, XD) are not interchangeable; confirm what your cassette needs.
Rear motor wheels must match the controller electrically; mismatched electrical parts can damage a controller or battery, and an E-Bike Assessment is the safe next step when unsure.

Installation considerations

Transfer the rotor, tire and cogs, and check the rotor centers in the caliper before riding.
Torque axle nuts or thru-axles to spec and fit a torque arm on motor wheels.
Check that the wheel is centered in the frame and spins true; a new wheel may need a small truing after the first rides as spokes seat.

Maintenance tips

Pluck the spokes occasionally; a dull or loose one should be tensioned before it breaks and takes others with it.
Keep tires inflated properly; under-inflation lets the rim hit the ground on bumps and dents it.
Wipe the braking surface and rim of grit after wet rides to protect the rim and rotor.

Frequently asked questions

Can I replace just the rim on my hub-motor wheel?

Yes, a shop can re-lace your motor into a new rim with spokes cut to length. It is often cheaper than a new motor wheel and keeps your electrical match intact.

What dropout width do I need?

Measure the inside of the frame's rear dropouts in millimeters with the wheel out. Common are 135mm on standard frames and 170mm to 190mm on fat bikes. Front forks are usually 100mm.

Why do my spokes keep breaking?

Low or uneven tension, heavy loads, or a rim that was not built for e-bike duty. A full re-tension or a rebuild with heavier-gauge spokes usually solves it.

Do I need 36 spokes?

For a heavy e-bike, 36 spokes and a double-wall rim are the sensible minimum. Lower counts work on lighter bikes but have less margin.

Can I put a 27.5 wheel on a 26-inch bike?

Sometimes with narrower tires, but clearance and brake position are not guaranteed. Stick with the ETRTO size the bike was designed for unless you have checked clearance carefully.