Wheels are one of those modifications that change a bike more than most electronics tuning — and at the same time one of the least understood. More power gives you quicker acceleration. Good wheels decide whether you can use that power at all.
This article explains how to choose the size, how an off-road setup differs from supermoto, and what straight-pull hubs actually give you.
Why the standard wheels hold you back
The standard wheels on a Sur-Ron and Talaria are narrow. That isn't a design flaw — it is a design decision that makes sense at standard power and standard weight. The problem shows up at two points:
- When you raise the power. A narrow tyre won't put the torque a stronger motor produces onto the ground. The result is wheelspin where you wanted to accelerate.
- When you want more aggressive rubber. You simply cannot fit a full-size motocross tyre on the standard rim — the profile won't work properly.
A wider rim means a bigger contact patch, a more stable tyre profile and the option of running lower pressures without the risk of the tyre tearing off the bead.
Three setups and what they are for
19/16 — the off-road classic
Custom 19/16 off-road wheels use the layout everyone knows from motocross: a bigger wheel at the front, a smaller and wider one at the rear.
- 19" front — deals with bumps better, gets over obstacles more confidently, gives more stable steering
- 16" rear — more strength and maximum traction
This is the sweet spot between agility and traction, and the default choice for anyone riding enduro and motocross. A full pair costs more than a single rear wheel, and the exact figure depends on the configuration you choose — see the current price on the product page.
17/17 supermoto — for tarmac
Super Wide 17-inch supermoto wheels follow a completely different philosophy: smaller, matched wheels for road rubber.
You feel the effect immediately — the bike tips into corners faster, gives better feel from the front and is more stable at higher speeds through a bend. If you ride mainly in town, on concrete and on a karting track, this is your setup.
For the Ultra Bee there is a ready-made kit: 17-inch supermoto wheels for the Sur-Ron Ultra Bee, with a choice of rim width (front 2.5" / 3.0" / 3.5", rear 3.5" / 4.0" / 4.25") and with or without tyres.
A 16-inch rear on its own — the cheapest worthwhile improvement
Not everyone needs to replace both wheels. The rear works hardest, so changing just the rear wheel gives you disproportionately much for the money — it is the cheapest way into a proper wheel setup.
There are two versions:
- 16-inch off-road wheel — ready to ship. The offset lets you fit a 16/90/100 tyre without trimming the chain tensioner block — that is a specific problem this wheel solves.
- Custom 16-inch off-road wheel — built to your configuration, with a choice of colour; the price depends on the options you pick, so check it on the product page.
Straight-pull hubs — what they change
In a conventional hub the spoke is bent at an elbow right by the head. That elbow is the weakest point of the whole wheel — that is where stress concentrates and where spokes break most often.
In straight-pull hubs the spoke goes in straight, with no elbow. That gives you:
- a noticeably stiffer wheel
- better transfer of torque to the ground
- more resistance to impacts and twisting
- less risk of the wheel going out of true under hard riding
On an e-moto this matters more than on a petrol bike. An electric motor delivers full torque from zero — the wheel takes a torque hit in a fraction of a second, with no clutch and no delivery that builds with revs.
What comes in the kit
With our off-road wheels we include a rim lock and rim tape. This isn't a gimmick: at low pressures and high torque the tyre can rotate relative to the rim and tear the valve off. A rim lock prevents that.
Ready-made or made to order — and why it takes time
Some wheels we keep ready to ship. Wheels built to order have a lead time of 35–45 working days on the Standard option or 25–35 working days on the Express option (at extra cost, chosen when you order).
Let's be honest about where that time goes: we build every wheel individually — the bike model, size, tyre type and colour are all chosen for the specific order. The alternative would be keeping finished wheels on the shelf that, half the time, wouldn't fit the customer's setup properly.
If you need wheels by a particular date, message us before ordering and we'll tell you honestly whether we can make it.
How to choose — the short version
- Woods, enduro, motocross → 19/16 off-road
- Town, tarmac, track → 17/17 supermoto
- An Ultra Bee for tarmac → 17" supermoto for the Ultra Bee
- Limited budget, want the most for the least → a 16" rear wheel on its own
Frequently asked questions
Will the wheels fit my model?
We build wheels for the Sur-Ron, Talaria and E-Ride; on other e-motos the fit depends on the axle configuration and spacers. Message us with your model and year and we'll confirm before you order.
Do I need to change anything else?
Moving to a larger front wheel changes the geometry — the bike sits higher and is a little lazier turning in. With supermoto it is the other way round. The brakes normally stay as they are.
Can I order just the rims?
With the supermoto kit for the Ultra Bee, yes — you choose the version with or without tyres. With custom wheels we work out the configuration individually.
The full range: e-moto wheels and the full catalogue.
