Race Face MTB Wheels

Axle Standards, Freehub Options, and What Fits Your Bike

Get the compatibility sorted before anything else - it's the kind of thing that catches people out when the wheels arrive. Race Face covers the full spread of modern axle standards. Front wheels run Boost 15x110mm as standard across the premium range, while rear options include the near-universal Boost 148 (12x148mm) and the wider Super Boost Plus 157mm spacing used on certain mullet and longer-travel enduro platforms. If your frame runs Super Boost, double-check the listing carefully - not every Race Face wheelset ships in that spacing.

Freehub compatibility is equally thorough. You can spec Shimano HG, Microspline (for 12-speed Shimano), or XD driver (SRAM) bodies depending on your drivetrain. Rotor mounting follows the same logic: 6-bolt IS2000 is the most common option, with Centerlock available on selected builds for riders already committed to that standard. It's worth noting that freehub bodies on the Vault hub are user-swappable, so switching drivetrains down the line doesn't mean replacing the whole wheel.

If you're building your own wheels or need replacement parts rather than a complete wheelset, we have dedicated collections covering those specifically. Explore our Race Face hubs, Race Face rims, and Race Face freehub bodies and spares pages for individual components.

Next R, Turbine R, and Aeffect R: Picking the Right Tier

Race Face runs three distinct wheelset lines and the differences between them aren't just marketing - they reflect genuine decisions about weight, material, and what you're prepared to pay. Understanding where each sits makes the choice a lot more straightforward.

The Next R is the top of the range. Carbon rims, lighter weight, and Anvil Edge technology - a wider rim lip profile engineered to dissipate impact energy across the rim wall rather than concentrating it at the bead. On sharp, rocky descents like those on the Dyfi trails or the Lakeland fells, that design detail is meaningful: it reduces the risk of pinch flats and rim damage when you clip a hidden edge. The carbon construction also damps high-frequency vibration better than alloy, which matters over long days on rough ground. This is the wheelset for enduro racing and serious trail riding where gram counts and confidence on technical descents are both priorities.

The Turbine R is the premium alloy alternative - and it shares the exact same Vault hub as the Next R. You're not getting a lesser hub to offset the alloy rim cost. What you lose is some weight and a degree of vibration compliance; what you gain is a rim that laughs off the kind of rock strikes that make carbon riders wince, at a considerably lower outlay. For most UK trail riders who aren't racing enduro seriously, the Turbine R is the more honest choice. If you're weighing it against something like Hope MTB wheels - another strong British-market alloy option - the Vault hub's engagement speed is a genuine point of difference worth considering.

The Aeffect R sits at the entry point of the range. It uses the Trace hub rather than the Vault, which means fewer engagement points and a marginally slower pickup - not a problem for most trail riders, but noticeable if you're used to the Vault's near-instant response. The rims are alloy, the build is robust, and it's the wheelset Race Face recommends for e-MTB use given its durability-focused construction. If budget is the primary constraint, the Aeffect R gives you a Race Face-quality build without the Vault hub premium. Riders comparing across brands at this level might also look at DT Swiss MTB wheels or Mavic MTB wheels for comparable alloy options.

All three tiers use J-bend spokes - a deliberate choice that matters more than it sounds. Straight-pull spokes are faster to build and slightly stiffer, but J-bend spokes are stocked by almost every UK bike shop and can be replaced trailside or at your local mechanic without specialist tools or proprietary parts. For anyone riding regularly in remote areas, that's a practical advantage worth keeping in mind. The premium tiers also use offset spoke lacing on the rear wheel, which improves tension balance across the drive and non-drive sides - the result is a stiffer, more consistent wheel that holds true longer under hard use.

Keeping Race Face Wheels Running Through a British Winter

UK riding is hard on bearings. Grit, mud, and standing water get into everything, and most standard hub seals aren't built for it long-term. The Vault hub uses an oversized labyrinth seal design - multiple interlocking barriers rather than a single rubber lip - which does a significantly better job of keeping the grinding paste out of the bearing races during winter months. You'll still want to inspect and re-grease annually if you're riding through October to March regularly, but the seals hold up well compared to many competitors at this price point.

Spoke replacement is straightforward. Because Race Face uses standard J-bend spokes across the Next R and Turbine R, any well-stocked UK shop can source a match without ordering proprietary parts. Keep a note of your spoke length - it's usually printed on the hub flange or available from Race Face's website - and you'll never be stuck waiting on a specialist order after a spoke goes at the wrong moment.

On tubeless maintenance: all modern Race Face MTB wheels arrive pre-taped and valved, ready for a tubeless setup out of the box. The tape is quality and the valves are solid, but sealant doesn't last forever. Refresh it every three to six months depending on how often you ride - more frequently if you're out every weekend, or if you've had a couple of punctures that the sealant has sealed and re-sealed. Tipping the wheel and listening for the slosh is the quickest check. If it sounds thin, top it up. Pairing the wheels with Race Face chainsets and cranks or Race Face handlebars keeps the component language consistent if you're building a bike around the brand.