QUICK HITS
• eMTB-Specific Wheelset
• Front And Rear-Specific Asymmetric Rims
• 28H Front, 32H Rear
• Aluminium Pinch Protection
• DT Swiss 350 HYBRID Hubs
WE DIG
WE DON’T
ABOUT THE OQUO MC32 TEAM POWER WHEELSET
The MC32 Team Power wheelset is OQUO’s premium alloy eMTB wheel, aiming to offer reliability and performance for hard hitting eBikes through to downhill mountain bikes.
RIMS | The base of the MC32 Team Power wheels are their MC32 Team rims. These alloy rims are given a front and rear-specific design, optimizing the ride feel and durability for each end of the bike.
The front rim features a 32mm inner width, with 28 spokes attaching to the hub. On the rear, there’s a narrower 30mm inner width and more durable 32 spoke arrangement. Both rims are given OQUO’s Aluminum Pinch Protection, which increases the material at the rim edge and gives it a smooth profile to increase strength and reduce the likelihood of tire pinch flats. A mini hook helps with tire retention during high-G cornering.
The MC32 Team rims feature an asymmetric design, leading to more even spoke tensions and less spoke lengths for easier spares. The spoke holes are drilled at an angle to match the hub flanges, reducing the bending stress at the spoke head to help them to last longer.
HUBS | In the center of the OQUO MC32 Team Power wheels you’ll find a pair of DT Swiss 350 Hybrid hubs, with a 24T ratchet giving 15 degrees engagement. These hubs feature reinforced bearings and flanges, and a steel freehub body to boost durability for use on power eMTBs. They are offered with a 6-bolt disc mount only, with a 15x110mm front and 12x148mm rear hub spacing. Freehub offerings are the Shimano MicroSpline or SRAM XD Mtb driver.
SPOKES | OQUO opted to use the Sapim E-Light spokes for the MC32 Team Power wheelset. These are a triple-butted spoke with 2.3 / 1.7 / 2.0 butting profile, giving great resistance and strength without excessive weight. Sapim alloy nipples are used to secure these to the rim, with custom threadlock applied to retain spoke tension longer.
SPECS | OQUO offers the MC32 Team Power wheelset in a choice of dual-29” or mixed 29”F/27.5”R setups. Our 29” wheelset with XD driver weighed 2261g (4.98lbs), whereas the MX MicroSpline wheelset weighed 2235g (4.92lbs).
If purchased as a wheelset, the customer will receive OQUO wheel bags, tubeless valves and tire sealant. The retail price is $999 / £749 / €749, available from OQUOwheels.com or OQUO dealers internationally.
THE DIRT
Having had the opportunity to visit the OQUO wheels factory next to Orbea’s Mallabia, Spain, HQ, I had no doubt that the MC32 Team Power wheels were going to perform well from a build standpoint. The attention to detail baked into the wheel build process is notable, tightly controlling the output and ensuring that the wheels are going to be straight and true for as long as possible. But how would OQUO’s rim and the wheel system perform overall?
The extra system weight; increased frequency of laps, and ability of an eBike to make hectic terrain feel that little bit calmer, means that eMTB wheels take a real beating. I’ve always been tough on wheels, but it wasn’t until I got on some long-travel e-bikes that I began to realise just how important a quality mountain bike wheel can be.
It’s rare for a wheelset to sustain more than three rides under my control on an eBike before the spokes have “bedded in” (read – shaken loose) and the wheels require some maintenance. In the case of the OQUO MC32 Team Power wheels, I haven’t had to take a spoke key to any of the three different sets I’ve spent time on.
Stiff – but not too stiff – out back; and compliant – but not too compliant – in the front, is the dream handling package for a wheelset in theory. That’s exactly what the OQUO wheels delivered – control and predictability, with no harshness nor wallowing when pushing hard. There was never a trail scenario where I overwhelmed their rigidity, yet they faded into the background on rough terrain.
Wheel durability is a lottery, and in fairness my OQUO MC32 Team wheels have always been wrapped in very burly and protective tires. But even so, the number of hard hits these wheels have sustained without even a minor ding is truly impressive. And of course, the DT Swiss 350 Hybrid hubs have done their thing without any issues. OQUO has made a very smart decision in spec’ing these bombproof hubs. The bonus of their spare part availability and ease of service means the wheels are likely to serve you for the long haul without question.
The only minor annoyance I’ve sustained was what I assume to be either some excess weld or an extra spoke nipple which occasionally rattled in one of the rims. Pulling the rim tape would let me sort this out, but I was happier just to keep things rolling fast enough that I couldn’t hear it.
Make no mistake, high-end hoops from most companies will typically hold up well, but to get into this zone you’re typically at carbon fiber eBike money if you’re buying a full bike. With a sticker price of $999, the MC32 Team Power wheels aren’t exactly cheap. But with the performance and durability on offer, their price isn’t ridiculous. I’ll continue to enjoy running these wheels, and if I manage to damage them without justification then I’ll report back. But for now, durability seems to be excellent, and they’re begging for more abuse.
The Wolf’s Last Word
Oquo is still in their infancy, but calling upon the experience of Orbea’s bike engineers to apply their knowledge and expertise to a wheel system was always going to get them off the ground running, fast. In the MC32 Team Power wheels, OQUO have proven their engineering worth, creating a high quality and durable ebike wheel with excellent handling characteristics. 
Price: $999 / £749 / €749
Weight: 2,261 grams/set (29″ / XD)
Website: Oquowheels.com
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ABOUT THE WOLF
Robert’s habitat is the Tweed Valley, Scotland, which is renowned for its root-littered enduro mountain bike trails. Robert has been developing his bike handling skills for the last 16 years. Since he was a pup, he’s been riding everything from BMX through to enduro and downhill bikes. Combining a playful style with occasional speed-focused aggression, he favors supportive bikes, and does his best to push them hard.
Rank: European Tech Editor
Size: 6’2” / 189cm | 220lbs / 100kg
Social: @robert_johnston
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