Stan's Flow MK4 Novatec Handbuilt Trail Wheelset

A strong trail wheelset at a price that leaves room for tyres: Stan's Flow MK4 rims laced 32-spoke to matching Novatec hubs with DT Swiss Champion straight-gauge spokes, built by hand in our Marrickville workshop. Pick 26", 27.5", 29" or a mullet on the rim row. Our Pro wheel build and tubeless tape fitted are included and show as two free lines in your cart.

Why this set

• Sealed bearings, front and rear. Both Novatec hubs run sealed cartridge bearings: they keep water and grit out, and a worn bearing is replaced, not the hub.
• Quick release or thru-axle up front. The 3-in-1 front hub runs a 100 mm quick release or a 15 × 100 thru-axle, and 20 mm end caps come in the box. The rear hub runs a 135 mm quick release. Both hubs wear Novatec's red decal, so the pair matches.
• Straight-gauge spokes. DT Swiss Champion 2.0 mm, plain gauge end to end: DT's workhorse spoke, and one any workshop can match if it ever breaks.
• Wide tubeless rims. Stan's Flow MK4: 30 mm internal for 2.3–2.6" tyres, 6069 alloy with a welded joint and a reinforced spoke bed, and asymmetric drilling that balances the spoke tension between the two sides.

Before you order — what your bike decides

• Wheel size — 26", 27.5", 29" or Mullet (29" front, 27.5" rear): choose it on the rim row. The tyre sidewall tells you: 559 is 26", 584 is 27.5", 622 is 29".
• Front axle — 100 mm quick release or 15 × 100 thru-axle. 20 mm end caps are also in the box: if your fork is 20 mm, ask us to confirm the fit before you order. Not 15 × 110 Boost: see the Boost version.
• Rear axle — 135 mm quick release. Not a 12 × 142 or 12 × 148 thru-axle frame: for Boost, see the Boost version; for 12 × 142, ask us.
• Rotor mount — 6-bolt. Centre Lock rotors need a Centre Lock hub.
• Cassette — Shimano HG freehub, 8- to 11-speed: fits Shimano and SRAM HG cassettes, CUES LINKGLIDE and SRAM's HG-fit 12-speed Eagle cassettes (NX, SX). Shimano 12-speed (Micro Spline) and SRAM XD cassettes do not fit.

Who it is for

For trail riding on non-Boost bikes with a quick-release rear: the 26" bike that still gets ridden, or an older 27.5" or 29" trail bike or hardtail. Stan's publishes no ASTM class or rider-weight limit for the Flow MK4, so we don't quote one; for bike-park and enduro builds see our EX511 and FR541 wheelsets. Not for e-bikes: Novatec gives these hubs no e-bike rating.

The rider's questions

• What tyres fit? Stan's optimises the Flow MK4 for 2.3–2.6" tyres. Stan's maximum pressure is 39 psi with a 2.30" tyre and 34 psi with a 2.60"; if the tyre's own maximum is lower, that applies.
• How much weight can it take? Stan's publishes no rider- or system-weight figure for this rim, so we don't quote one. If you're a heavier rider or ride loaded, ask us before you order.
• Warranty? Stan's covers the rims for 3 years plus a 1-year crash replacement, Novatec covers its hubs against manufacturing defects, and our build work is guaranteed. Every claim comes back to Tune Cycles: see the Warranty tab.
• How long does it take? Built to order from supplier stock: we confirm the build date by email when you order.

Kit includes

• Stan's Flow MK4 rim set, 32H: two rims in the size you pick (26", 27.5", 29" or Mullet), 30 mm internal
• Novatec 3-in-1 front hub, 32H, 6-bolt: 100 mm quick release or 15 × 100 thru-axle, with 20 mm end caps in the box; sealed bearings
• Novatec D792SB rear hub, 32H, 6-bolt, 135 mm quick release; Shimano HG 8- to 11-speed freehub (B2 body); sealed bearings
• 64 × DT Swiss Champion 2.0 straight-gauge spokes, black J-bend, cut to length on the bench and laced 3-cross
• DT Swiss brass Pro Lock Squorx nipples, black: Stan's lists no nipples with the rim
• 33 mm tubeless tape fitted and our Pro wheel build: both free, two lines in your cart

Options: rim size on the rim row; tubeless valves (50 mm, up to 2) under Upgrades.

Everything in the Wheelset box is built in. The rows under Upgrades are optional: tick what you want and the price updates. If you want us to lace a rim or hub you already own, that is a workshop job: contact us for a quote.

Sold separately (shown with this kit): tubeless sealant (Muc-Off No Puncture 140 ml), Shimano SLX SM-RT66 180 mm 6-bolt rotor, a cassette for the HG freehub, and tyres to suit. Rotors: one per wheel, sized for your brake.

How we build it

Every wheel is laced by hand in Marrickville, 3-cross, brought up to even tension within Stan's 1,275 N rim maximum, stress-relieved and trued, then checked again before it is packed. Tubeless tape (33 mm) is fitted to the rim; add valves and sealant and it is ready for tyres. Tell us your fork's axle in the order notes and we fit the matching end caps; the others go in the box with the wheels.

Tune Cycles builds and fits these wheels. If you are unsure what your frame, fork or drivetrain takes, ask us before you order.