Big wheels on bikes look great in the parking lot. On certain bikes they even look great going down the road. But what happens when you actually ride your bike all over the country in far-off deserted places and get a flat? Do you think most small town shops within a tow truck’s range will carry those big fancy tires you’re running on your bike? Chances are probably not.

But just because you don’t want to run some ridiculous-size rubber doesn’t mean you should be left completely out of the custom-wheel game. That’s the exact scenario that our project 2012 Ultra Classic owner John DiMassa faced. He wanted a great-looking wheel but the comfort of knowing that should the worst happen replacement tires could be located without much difficulty.

Styled Wheels out of Orange Country, California, has been hitting the streets hard since day one. Its innovative designs and mix-and-match of chrome and black finishes offer some nice alternative wheel styles that aren’t typically seen on every other bike in the parking lot. Most of its wheels are offered in 16-inch diameters on up to the monstrous dirty 30 with a variety of chrome and black alternatives. In addition to its wheel line, a full line of fork cans, fenders, axle covers, latch covers and matching rotors and pulleys are available. We chose the Newport black and chrome modular wheels in an easy-to-find tire size of 18 inches for John’s bike. Not too big, not too small, but just right.

Installing the wheels yourself is always an option, but Wheel Works in Garden Grove, California, just makes it too easy! Wheel Works knows how to mount wheels quickly, cleanly, and, above all, fast! If it hadn’t been for this editor slowing down the process, our bike owner would have been in and out in less than 30 minutes. Now that’s service. With that in mind, here’s a quick rundown of how it goes down.

Sources:

Styled Wheels

Wheel Works