It is a trend that more and more mountain bike rims are with asymmetric design.

Wheelsets built with asymmetric rims are of better strength, stiffness and durability.

Because asymmetric rims help to equalize the spoke tensions between drive side and non-drive side.

How?

For mountain bike wheelset with disc brakes, the center of rear hub (Point A) is not in the same position of the center of flange (Point B). The center of hub (point A) is closer to the drive-side. Once wheelset built with traditional symmetric rim, to pull the hub into the center of rim, the spokes are pulled to higher tension on drive side compared to non-drive side.

Similarly, in MTB front wheel, the center of hub is closer to the rotor side (non-drive side), which makes the non-drive side spoke tension higher than drive side.

The spoke tension difference is as large as 40%! Such big difference makes the wheelset weaker as it could be. As the higher spoke tension side always break easier, while the lower spoke tension side always loose easier.

Asymmetry rims can help to fix this issue.

In asymmetric wheels, the bracing angles are improved by asymmetry the nipple holes.

Thus, the spoke tension between drive side and non-drive side is much more equalized.

Our asymmetry rims are with 3mm Asymmetry from the center, which helps to improve the spoke tension over 20%.

Therefore, wheelsets build with our Asymmetry rims are of better strength, stiffness and durability.

The following table shows our asymmetry MTB wheels spoke tension data compared to normal Symmetry MTB wheels:

You can check ASD rims spec in our home page.