What’s special about Full Custom?

Whether you're building a complete wheelset or need tailor-made rims for a DIY project, we've got you covered. From bicycles to wheelchairs, unicycles, and tandems, our customization program is tailored to fit all your practical needs and creative desires. We're taking the concept of 'custom' to the next level by going above and beyond simple color options to offer deep customization including rims and spokes. This is made possible through our self-owned and operated factory.

Why settle for the ordinary when you can create the extraordinary with Light Bicycle!

With full control over every step of our manufacturing process, we’re able to provide unrivaled customizations. If you dream it we can create it! From a variety of rim weaves, multiple finish options, laser engraving, custom hole counts, and personalized decals, we can fine-tune the build to match your unique vision and style. The level of customization varies per rim type but will include the following features:

• Rim weave (fiber type of the external layer) >>
• Hole count, unique spacing, drilling angles, offset, drain holes >>
• Eliminate spoke access holes, tubeless without tape >>
• Internal nipple drilling >>
• Schrader instead of Presta valve >>
• Rim finish (clear coating) and painting >>
• Rim weight (Flyweight & Heavy-Duty) >>
• Tubular, hookless, clincher bead >>
• Brake track weave & groove >>
• Rim decals (laser engraving) >>

Get inspired by our photo wall while viewing the expansive collection of our custom projects:

Explore More Customer Builds

Get your custom order rolling!

Kick off your customized order in one of the following ways:

1. Choose the “Full Custom” option on our site.

Simply select the “Full Custom” option when configuring your product online through the Global shop and leave your customization details in the notes section at checkout. Our sales team will reach out to you after purchase to clarify and finalize these details.

Step 1 Click “Customize & Buy” to configure your product.

Step 2 Choose “Full Custom” if your preferred feature is not listed.

Step 3 Review the specs & Add the build to cart.

Step 4 Leave your special instructions.

2. Submit a customization request

To connect with a member of our team for an in depth discussion about customization options, shoot us an email to sales@lightbicycle.com. Whether you are a discerning, creative rider or an independent brand interested in a fully customized ODM or OEM order (view more on our B2B site), feel free to give us a shout, we’d love the opportunity to chat with you.

Is this helpful? Leave a comment below if you have any questions.

Costs & lead time

Our handcrafted carbon products are a cut above the rest. We've made it our mission to provide personalized products that are value-focused without sacrificing quality. Curious about pricing and lead times for your dream custom wheel set or rim? Want to know how it works? Here’s a breakdown of the process:

1. Customization fee

We are able to offer many of our most popular customizations free of charge. They include:

Custom upgrades:

Fees vary depending on the complexity of your customization request. Please get in touch with us (sales@lightbicycle.com) and let us know the creative details you’d like to see in a build so that we can get you an accurate quote for your new wheel project.

2. Lead time

Customization takes time and care! If you’re hoping to meet a deadline, please reach out to our team so we can do our best to accommodate your timing needs.

Can I see my custom wheels before delivery?

For those utilizing our Full Custom option, we highly recommend you take advantage of our photo verification service before the rims/wheels are finalized and shipped. These detailed, professional images allow you to review every feature of the rims or wheels from the comfort of your home and request any last tweaks if needed.

If you’d like to take advantage of this free service, please select the “Send Photos for Shipping Confirmation” option. Please note this service is currently only available for orders from our Global shop. If you order offline, please let our sales representative know you’d like a photo ahead of shipping.

If you have special requests, or are purchasing a quick-buy wheelset and want to take advantage of this service, simply leave a note at checkout!

Weight

At Light Bicycle, we offer rims in several weights: Standard, Flyweight, Ultra-Light, Heavy-Duty (HD), and HD-Plus. Flyweight is best suited to road riders and hill climbers who want to shave every last gram, while mountain and fat bike riders favor our HD rims to optimize strength and impact resistance. We have the perfect rims for any and all needs!

How to choose your ideal rim weight

Generally speaking, the Standard version is designed for middleweight riders of most cycling disciplines. The Heavy-Duty version is a specially reinforced version for heavier riders and those with aggressive riding styles. The Flyweight layup is for lightweight riders or those riding smoother surfaces.

If you fall somewhere in between or are unsure of what will work best for you, connect with our sales team (sales@lightbicycle.com) for a recommendation.

Want to learn more? Read this: Standard, Flyweight, and Heavy-Duty, What’s the Difference?

Rim weight charts

How do you order a custom weight rim?

You can select your preferred rim weight for many of our most popular options when configuring your order on our website. Lighter or heavier rims typically require a small upcharge. If you don’t see the weight options listed, feel free to email us (sales@lightbicycle.com) to set up a custom order.

Only want to reinforce key areas of the rims? Let’s chat at sales@lightbicycle.com.

Hole customization

Every rider has different needs. Our customization techniques allow you to tune your wheels to your exact specifications with custom hole drillings.

Options like access holes (either with or without), internal vs. external nipple holes, drain holes, custom drilling angles, and spoke offsets are available - almost nothing is off-limit!

If you’d like to learn more about spoke holes, take a look at our blog: Rim Holes | Technology

Please get in touch if you have any questions about custom drilling options!

Custom finishes, weaves and colors

The weave of your rim refers to the top, exterior layer of carbon the layup. The finish is a thin clear protective coat applied onto the raw rim after molding. We also offer various paint options for those seeking a more unique look.

Rim weave

Our three standard weave options are Unidirectional (UD), 3K, and 12K. A new weave, Marble, is under development and will be available by special order only.

UD Uni-Directional

The UD weave is made with parallel fibers, delivering a smooth and uniform look. We also have two unique UD variants: Braided UD and Sunflower (exclusive for the full disc UFO).

Twill

3K and 12K weaves are achieved with intersecting or woven carbon sheets, resulting in eye-catching patterns. There are several 3K and 12K variations.

Marble

This is our most artistic and abstract weave, resembling the veins of marble stone. There are two versions of this unique weave.

Rim finish

01 Standard finishes

The standard is a clear topcoat that delivers a flawless finish. We also offer glossy, satin, and matte finishes. For something a little different, try the subtle 70% matte. We even offer custom finishes upon request.

02 Painted finish

These pack a punch! We can match most Pantone colors. All you have to do is send us an email with your color request and we’ll make it happen. Custom painting adds 15-20g to each rim.

We’ve also recently rolled out crystalized paint finishes. The treatment gives a unique, abstract finish to the rim surface. Crystal paint is available online for most Falcon Pro and Recon Pro products and for other rim models upon request.

03 Paintless

The Paintless finish that you’ll see offered for our Recon Pro and Falcon Pro rim models was innovated with a complete revamp of our manufacturing process. We use top-quality materials, advanced layup methods, and special release agents to create a flawless finish right out of the mold. No sanding or coating necessary, you’re ready to roll with a satiny-smooth and highly scratch-resistant final product.

Hooked vs. Hookless vs. Hybrid Hook

Hookless rim technology has become the standard in the mountain bike, fat bike, and more recently, gravel bikes scenes as off-road riders trend towards running wider tires at lower pressures. To make your choice simple, we’ve developed this handy buyer’s guide to hooked and hookless rims.

To serve those who want the best of both worlds, we’ve developed a revolutionary hybrid-hook design. Say goodbye to compromise and hello to the future with this design which is currently offered on our WG44, XC924, AR25, EH733S, and EH935S rims, with more coming soon!

The majority of our mountain and fat bike rims are offered in hookless only, while we offer both hooked and hookless versions for many of our Wide-Road (WR-) and All-Road (AR-) road models.

Customize your rims by selecting with the "Bead Type" option on your order. If you don’t see your preferred bead type listed, just shoot us an email at sales@lightbicycle.com.

What if I want a custom depth or width for my rims?

Looking for a rim tailor-made to your cycling needs? At Light Bicycle, we understand that one size doesn't fit all, which is why we offer a wide range of width and depth options. We also have some rim models that are not listed online and plenty more options currently in development by our engineering team. Email us for more info!

If you’re a bike shop owner or a wheel brand that’s looking to bring your innovative design to life, take a look at our B2B OEM/ODM service.

Related content you may be interested in:

Customized rim-brake tracks

There are two customizable features on your rim-brake rims: groove and weave. Let’s break them down:

High TG or grooved graphene brake track

Our carbon road rims use an advanced High TG resin system with a layer of graphene to help dissipate heat. The grooved brake track improves braking performance by providing superior heat dissipation, increased braking power and sensitivity when conditions are dry, and helps dispel trapped moisture between the pad and rim in wet conditions.

You’ll find both options online for all our rim brake models:

Brake track weave

The brake track will typically share the same weave with the rim, except that the UD rim uses a 3K weave brake track. If you want to customize your brake track weave, choose “Full Custom” when ordering online or let us know via email (sales@lightbicycle.com).

Customized decals

Our skilled graphics department uses the latest technology to design and execute any custom decal or rim personalization you can imagine! Our most popular options are laser engraving, waterslide decals, or removable laser-cut vinyl stickers. Our team will work closely with you to design the perfect size, location, font, and color of your custom graphics. Whether you're looking for a bold statement or subtle customization, we'll help you achieve the look you want.

Laser engraving: Eco-friendly personalization

Removable stickers

MTB & fat rim stickers

These stickers are designed for mountain (non-Pro series) and fat bike rim and are available in seven colors. Order now >>

If you want to order custom stickers, please contact our sales team (sales@lightbicycle.com).

Valve sticker

Available in a vast array of colors and four sizes, our more subtle valve decals are offered in four different sizes and a rainbow of colors to fit any Pro rim model.

If you want a unique sticker for your wheels, please email us (sales@lightbicycle.com).

Waterslide decal

Waterslide decals are a permanent color customization option for your rims. Show your LB colors proudly!

Unleash your creativity and make a statement on the road! Browse our Gallery for inspiration and turn heads with a personalized touch.

Mullet wheelsets

Many mountain riders have come to love the feel of a 29” front, and 27.5” rear wheel. It’s the perfect wheel size combo for shredability. Easy handling on the steeps, making the bike lively and fast when cornering, with the ability to easily plough over the rough stuff. This combo has become known as “mullet” for obvious reasons: Business in the front, party in the back!

We’ve pre-paired the most popular rim combinations for you to build your mullet wheelset online:

Other custom mullet wheelset options are available- shoot us an email (sales@lightbicycle.com) with the build you’re looking for!

Mixed rim wheelsets

1. Why mix?

Pair our WR (Wide-Road) and AR (All-Road) rims to optimize for both aerodynamics and comfort. The wider and more shallow design of our WR rims reduces crosswind interference and stable wheel tracking while the deeper profile of the AR models maximizes aero performance and delivers a stiff and responsive rear wheel for powering through any challenge.

2. Some popular combos

Falcon PRO set-up

Mid-depth: WR38 Disc + AR45 Disc ≈ $699 USD+

More aero: WR50 Disc + AR55 Disc ≈ $730 USD+

X-Flow: WR40 Disc + AR465 Disc ≈ $814 USD+

Falcon set-up

Mid-depth: WR35 Disc + AR46 Disc ≈ $547 USD+

More aero: WR45 Disc + AR56 Disc (30mm) ≈ $640 USD+

Mixed rim combinations are not currently available online, so please email us (sales@lightbicycle.com) to get your order process started.

Can I order a single wheel?

We're all about customization and that includes building single wheels to fit your exact needs. With the exception of our track and TT wheels listed below, we list only full wheelset builds online but single wheels are always available upon request. Just get in touch (sales@lightbicycle.com) to special order!

Front Wheel (TT/Tri/Track)

Rear Wheel (TT/Tri/Track)

Can I upgrade my hub ratchets and bearings?

Looking to upgrade your hub bearings or ratchet system? We’ve got you covered. We provide high-quality, industry-standard components sourced from reliable dealers.

DT Swiss hubs have three ratchet options: 18T, 36T, and 54T. The higher the tooth count, the quicker your hub will engage which makes for a snappy and responsive ride, especially through technical terrain. Upgrade to 36t or 54t to reap these benefits.

If you want to jump to ceramic bearings for less rolling resistance and increased reliability and longevity, please email us (sales@lightbicycle.com) to discuss this upgrade.

What is the lacing pattern of my build & can it be customized?

We specifically build our wheels with a spoke lacing pattern to suit the hole count and intended usage. We do not list our lacing patterns online, so if you have a specific request, please email us at sales@lightbicycle.com.

For more information on spokes, click the following link: Spoke Basics.

1. Lacing patterns

We keep it simple and effective with our 1:1 spoke pattern- the same spoke counts on both sides- for all our wheels. Depending on the hole count and spoke head style, we typically use the following lacing patterns:

Straight Pull (SP) Build

Hole Combo (F/R)	24/24H	28/28H	20/24H
Front (Drive Side / NDS)	2X / 2X	3X / 3X	0X / 0X
Rear (Drive Side / NDS)	2X / 2X	3X / 3X	2X / 2X *2X / 0X (Carbon-Ti X-Hub only)

J-bend (ISO) Build

Hole Combo (F/R)	20/24H	24/24H	28/28H	32/32H
Front (Drive Side / NDS)	0X / 0X	2X / 2X	3X / 3X	3X/3X
Rear (Drive Side / NDS)	2X / 0X	2X / 2X	3X / 3X	3X/3X

2-cross and 3-cross lacing patterns are our standard as the spoke-bracing angles they create allow the wheel to bear the most torque. Radial lacing - a lacing pattern where spokes do not cross - is also available and is suitable exclusively for road wheels.

Is this helpful? Let us know in the comments if you have any questions.

2. 2:1 & G3 Lacing

Our two-to-one lacing system is designed to improve spoke tension balance on the rear wheel. This system features two spokes on the drive side for every one spoke on the non-drive side, with evenly spaced spoke holes. Meanwhile, the Campagnolo G3 pattern groups three spoke holes closely together. This unique lacing pattern helps balance spoke tension and creates a more durable wheel.

2:1 Lacing

These lacing patterns are not as popular, or as common as 2x or 3x as they require a customized rim drilling to accommodate them. Likewise, they can only be executed with very specific hubs. The 2:1 hubs we are excited to offer are our Speed Hubs, which are specially designed to pair with our Flyweight carbon aero spokes for a lightweight and lightning-fast build. Learn more about the Flyweight carbon spoke build >>

If you need any technical help or would like to customize your order for 2:1 lacing, our sales team is here to provide the support you need. Reach out any time at sales@lightbicycle.com.

How to order the G3 pattern?

Please reach out to our team (sales@lightbicycle.com) to order wheels or rims with a G3 lacing pattern. To get the process rolling, we’ll require these details:

If you're having trouble calculating those values, don’t worry, we're here to help!  All you need to do is email us the following info and we'll take care of the rest:

Ai offset wheel dishing

Ai - Asymmetric Integration

What is the Ai asymmetric integration:

A system proprietary to Cannondale that moves the drivetrain outboard by 6mm or 3mm.

Why it matters:

The Ai offset allows ultra-short chainstays without sacrificing tire clearance, chainstay stiffness, or the ability to run 2x drivetrains. Short chainstays improve the bikes’ traction and agility. And as a bonus, it also creates a stiffer, stronger, and more durable rear wheel with a well balanced spoke tension. Please note that asymmetric rims are not advised for the Ai offset bikes.

3mm vs 6mm

• 6mm offset: Other Ai-equipped bikes with 142mm or 135mm rear spacing.

How to order?

01 Order Online

Choose the “Ai offset” option when configuring your wheels online. This option is exclusive to the Global shop.

02 Order Offline

As all our wheels are custom built-to-order, we can easily accommodate the Ai dishing pattern upon request. Please leave us a note with your bike model and the offset needed in the comments of your online order.

To learn more, this is a helpful resource: this article on the Ai system from Cannondale website.

Can I send you hubs for a custom wheel build?

Absolutely! Our expert building team is always happy to build up customers’ hubs to our rims for the most custom and value-focused wheelsets. Connect with our sales team (sales@lightbicycle.com) to start your quoting process.

What’s included in the build fee?

Fees

North American shop: $50 USD

What’s included:

(9) Pre-shipping product photos (optional)

If you want to build your own wheel and source just the components from Light Bicycle, we’re happy to help. We’ll support you with all aspects of the build including spoke length calculation, building practices, and tire mounting. Read our user manual or contact us directly (sales@lightbicycle.com).

Do you build with Classified hubs?

Light Bicycle is the first Chinese partner of Classified Cycling. The Powershift hub is available by special order online by working with our team. Email us (sales@lightbicycle.com) to get the process started! Please note that our Powershift wheel build includes only the hub shell. Powershift kits (hub, smart axle, handlebar units & shift button, cassette of your choice) must be sourced externally or from a local dealer (find a dealer >>). Powershift hubs require custom hole drilling, which we can easily execute.

Powershift technology

Classfied’s Powershift Technology is a wireless shifting technology that allows you to shift gears instantly and under full load. Its first application is the Powershift hub, which replaces the front derailleur. The Powershift hub offers unrivaled shift quality, high gearing range, and small steps in between gears combining the benefits of both a 1x and 2x transmission.

Instant Shifting

150 milliseconds, that's all it takes

Ultimate Gear Coverage

24 gears, small steps, up to 530% of gearing range

Shifting Under Full Load

Up to 1000 watts

Ultimate Efficiency

Gain efficiency in all conditions

Waterproof

No need to worry about dirt or rain

Competitive weight

Equally as light or lighter than a traditional electronic groupset

We’re excited to get your customized wheel projects started!  If you’re interested in any hub, spoke, or nipple options that are not listed on the site, or are interested in creating a custom rim mold, or anything in between, feel free to inquire by leaving a comment below or emailing us (sales@lightbicycle.com). We’ll go above and beyond to make it happen.