Inspiration for Your Next Adventure
As wheel builders, we're not just obsessed with the components; we're obsessed with the ride. The ultimate test of any great wheelset is a truly legendary trail. To fuel your inspiration, we've compiled a list of some of the most iconic mountain biking destinations on the planet—places that push both rider and equipment to the limit, and where the right gear makes all the difference.
North America: The Birthplace of the Sport
From the slickrock deserts of Utah to the loamy forests of British Columbia, North America is home to some of the world's most famous and diverse trail networks.
The Whole Enchilada, Moab, Utah
This is the bucket-list descent. Dropping over 7,000 vertical feet, it takes you from high alpine forests through aspen groves and finishes in the rugged desert canyonlands along the Colorado River. It's an epic, all-day adventure that is as punishing as it is beautiful.
- The Challenge: High speeds, relentless square-edge hits, and sharp rocks. This trail is notorious for punishing tires and rims.
- The Perfect Wheelset: Durability is paramount. This is the perfect proving ground for a robust alloy rim from a brand like DT Swiss or Spank. Alternatively, a modern, heavy-duty carbon enduro rim, like a Reserve 30|HD, is an excellent choice for those who want performance without sacrificing strength.
The North Shore, British Columbia, Canada
The legendary birthplace of freeride. The Shore is famous for its technical, hand-built features, including intricate woodwork, "skinnies," and steep rock rolls. The trails are often damp, and the ground is a web of slippery roots.
- The Challenge: Maximum traction is needed for slippery roots and rocks, and a fast-engaging hub is critical for quick pedal kicks to navigate up and over technical features.
- The Perfect Wheelset: A wide rim profile (30mm+) to support burly, soft-compound tires is a must. This is the ideal territory for a hub with lightning-fast engagement, like an Industry Nine Hydra or a silent Onyx Vesper.
Downieville Downhill, Downieville, California
A true classic. This 15-mile shuttle run drops 5,000 vertical feet and blends high-speed, flowing singletrack with long sections of sharp, chunky rock gardens known as "The Chunder."
- The Challenge: Maintaining speed through punishing rock gardens without flatting or damaging your rims.
- The Perfect Wheelset: A versatile "all-mountain" setup is key. A modern 29er wheelset with a durable rim and reliable hubs is the perfect tool for the job. This is a great place for a wheel with a good balance of compliance and strength.
Europe: Alpine Descents & Enduro Meccas
The Alps and beyond offer breathtaking scenery and some of the longest, most physically demanding descents in the world.
Finale Ligure, Italy
The iconic home of the Enduro World Series and a true coastal paradise. The trails here are a unique mix of fast, rocky, and loose singletrack that winds down through ancient terraces to the Mediterranean Sea.
- The Challenge: Long, demanding stages that require both physical endurance and a bike that can handle relentless abuse without any mechanical issues.
- The Perfect Wheelset: Reliability is everything. A custom wheelset built around proven, easily serviceable hubs like the DT Swiss 240 or 350 is a smart choice. Strong, reliable spokes and durable rims are a must.
Morzine & Les Gets, France
The heart of the Portes du Soleil, this area is a pure bike park paradise. With endless chairlift-accessed runs of high-speed berms, massive jumps, and steep, technical descents, it's a test of both skill and equipment.
- The Challenge: High-G forces in berms and repeated, hard impacts from jumps and drops.
- The Perfect Wheelset: A stiff, responsive wheelset is key for precision and pop. This is where a high-end carbon wheelset truly shines, providing the stiffness to hold a line in a high-speed berm and the strength to handle big hits.
The Southern Hemisphere: Year-Round Riding
When it's winter in the north, the trails are prime in places like New Zealand.
Rotorua, New Zealand
A geothermal wonderland and a mountain biker's dream. The Whakarewarewa Forest offers a massive network of trails, from smooth, flowing singletrack that feels like a rollercoaster to steep, technical tracks through native forest.
- The Challenge: An incredible variety of trail types, often ridden in the same day.
- The Perfect Wheelset: A versatile, all-around trail wheelset is the name of the game here. A 29er or Mullet setup with a good balance of weight and durability is perfect for handling everything Rotorua can throw at you.
Ready to Build Your Dream Travel Rig?
Great trails deserve great equipment. If these destinations have you dreaming of your next adventure, make sure your wheels are up to the task. A hand-built wheelset from LoamLabs is the most reliable and high-performance foundation for any riding trip.
Head over to our interactive Custom Wheel Builder to design a wheelset that's perfectly matched to your bike, your riding style, and your dream destination.