SHIMANO MT620
£360 | www.freewheel.co.uk
Sitting between Deore and SLX level, the alloy MT620s are great value. Ridden back-to-back with the lighter and cheaper wheels in this test, the Shimano hoops are a touch softer than some when you’re really pushing them hard into corners, or where super-precise lines are needed. This gives a comfortable feel and means you don’t get knocked off-line easily. If you’re a hard-charger you may want a higher spoke count than 24, but the build is good for the money. Shimano’s cup-and-cone bearing system allows easy access to the hub bearings, but you’ll need cone spanners and some patience to get them ‘just so’. The wheels come with a Micro Spline freehub for Shimano 12-speed cassettes; no XD driver is available. We measured the asymmetric rim at 29.3mm. Fitting tyres is easy, and the freehub engages reliably. There are better wheels out there, but not for this price.