Rear wheel 700 tire

700 rear wheel: the ideal choice for a reliable city bike

The 700 rear wheel is an essential component for city bike enthusiasts. Combining comfort, efficiency, and durability, it lays the foundation for smooth and consistent pedaling — especially when paired with a 9-speed drivetrain. In this article, discover the features, advantages, and how to choose the right model for your urban cycling needs.

What is a 700 rear wheel ?

The term 700 refers to the wheel’s outer diameter — approximately 700 mm — also known as 700C in international standards. It’s the most common size used on city bikes, road bikes, and trekking bikes, offering a great balance between speed, stability, and comfort.

The rear wheel, unlike the front wheel, plays a dual role: it supports the rider's weight and transmits pedaling power through the cassette, hub, and spokes. It’s subject to greater mechanical stress and therefore requires high-quality components to ensure long-term performance.

Why choose a 700 rear wheel with 9 speeds ?

The 9-speed version of the 700 rear wheel offers a versatile gear range, well-suited to varied terrain while remaining easy to maintain. Here are its main benefits:

• Wide gear range: 9 sprockets allow you to adjust your effort on climbs, flats, or descents—perfect for city routes with slopes or bridges.

• Broad compatibility: many derailleurs and shifters are designed for 9-speed systems, making maintenance and replacement simpler.

• Smooth shifting: when properly adjusted, a 700 rear wheel with 9 speeds delivers precise gear changes, with no skipping or jerking.

• Weight-to-strength ratio: double-wall aluminum rims are light yet strong enough to support the rider, along with additional cargo racks or child seats.

Key Technical Features to Consider

When choosing a 700 rear wheel for your city bike, pay attention to the following specs:

• Rear hub: 9-speed compatible, usually with a Shimano or SRAM-compatible freehub.

• Brake type: either rim brakes or disc brakes (6-bolt or Center Lock depending on your setup).

• Rim: aluminum, often simple-wall for improved strength and spoke tension distribution.

• Axle: usually a quick release (QR 135 mm) for standard city bikes, or a thru axle for more modern frames.

• Spoke count: between 28 and 36 for good shock resistance and load-bearing capacity.

• Rim profile: flat or semi-aero for better speed and handling.

Maintenance tips for a 700 rear wheel

A rear wheel — especially with 9 speeds — needs regular maintenance to stay in top shape:

• Clean the cassette and hub regularly to prevent dirt buildup.

• Check spoke tension to avoid wobbles or wheel misalignment.

• Lubricate hub bearings if required.

• Inspect rim wear (for rim brake systems) to prevent failure.

Conclusion

Whether you're a daily commuter or an occasional rider, upgrading to a 700 rear wheel with 9 speeds is a smart move to boost your city bike’s performance and reliability. Easy to install, sturdy, and smooth-shifting, it’s a key component for comfortable, stress-free rides around town.