Wheel Guides
What to Check When Carbon Wheels Arrive
Jun
Arrival inspection
The first inspection should happen before installation. A few calm minutes after delivery can prevent confusion later if the box was damaged, the wrong item arrived, or something looks unusual.
Photograph the package first
Before opening the box fully, take photos of the outer carton, shipping label, corners, dents, tears, and any crushed areas. If the carton looks perfect, the photos still create a delivery record. If it looks damaged, the photos are important evidence.
Do not throw away packaging until the wheelset has been checked. Packaging can help show how the product arrived.
Check the rims in good light
Look over both rims slowly. Check the brake tracks, rim sidewalls, spoke holes, valve holes, decals, and rim bed. Small cosmetic details should be separated from cracks, dents, deformation, or clear shipping damage.
For rim brake wheels, the brake track deserves extra attention. It should be clean and ready for suitable carbon rim brake pads.
| Packaging | Carton, label, corners, crush marks, inner protection. |
|---|---|
| Wheelset | Rim, brake track, spokes, hubs, freehub, valve hole, included parts. |
| Before use | Confirm correct item, then install carefully or ask a mechanic. |
Spin and listen
Gently rotate the wheels by hand. Listen for obvious rubbing, grinding, or loose parts. Do not treat this as a full mechanic inspection, but use it to catch anything clearly wrong before parts are installed.
Check the freehub body visually. Confirm that it matches what you ordered before attempting to install the cassette.
Do not rush installation
Once tires, cassette, rim tape, and brake pads are installed, the support question becomes harder to review. If anything looks wrong, pause before adding parts. Take photos and contact support.
If everything looks correct, use suitable brake pads, check tire seating carefully, and consider having a mechanic inspect the bike before the first ride.
After the first short ride
Start with a cautious short ride. Re-check brake pad position, tire seating, spoke feel, quick release or axle security, and any unusual noise. A first ride is a shakedown, not a race.
Something looks wrong on arrival?
Stop before installation and send photos of the box, label, packaging, and wheelset.
Check before the excitement takes over
The easiest time to inspect a wheelset is before tires, cassette, and brake pads are installed. Put the wheels on a clean surface, photograph the box if it shows impact marks, and look slowly around each rim. Check the valve hole, spoke holes, brake track, sidewalls, hubs, and freehub body. A few extra minutes here can prevent confusion later.
Spin the wheels in the bike or a stand before the first ride. Listen for rubbing or clicking, and watch the rim pass the brake pads. If a wheel looks badly out of true, if a spoke feels obviously loose, or if the hub feels rough, stop and ask before riding. Do not mount everything and hope the first ride will solve it.
What to record for support
If anything looks questionable, take photos before installing parts. Include the order number, delivery date, and whether the box was damaged. For shipping or inspection questions, use contact and keep the packaging until the issue is closed.
