Our recommendation

MADGOAT BALANCEBALANCE

Control, composure and response, whether racing or enjoying any terrain. BALANCE geometry brings the drive side and disc side closer in behaviour to create a wheel with a distinctive overall ride feel.

The build we'd choose

We've already specified the rim, spokes and hub. Just tell us which cassette you use.

  • Tell us which cassette you use.

That's it: you can continue with your order in under a minute.

Next, we'll ask for the details needed to prepare your custom build.

MADGOAT Balance rim cross-section: 38.8 mm external, 31 mm internal, 20 mm depth and 7 mm asymmetric offset
Enlarged view
Standard on your BALANCE wheels
MADGOAT BALANCE rim
RimsMADGOAT BALANCE31 mm internal · 38.8 mm external · 20 mm depth · 7 mm offset
Sapim CX-Ray spokes
SpokesSapim CX-Ray steel28 per wheel · balanced response for XC
Silver ZAMBRA hub
HubZAMBRA · silverTPI bearings · 45T ratchet · tool-free disassemblyLifetime warranty on hub shells and axles
ZAMBRA valves
ValvesZAMBRA · Clik Valveincluded · inflation adapter
Tubeless rim tape
Rim tapeTubeless rim tapeincluded as standard

What makes BALANCE different?

The difference is in its geometry. The offset channel brings the drive side and disc side closer in behaviour to distribute tensions and loads more evenly. The undulations align each spoke and nipple towards its hub hole, while the reinforced lips provide lateral support and pinch-flat protection.

Your wheels' actual technical record

Your Quality Passport records the actual build and components, the final measured weight and each wheel's build checks: target tension, tension uniformity, and lateral and radial deviations.

More than a certificate: it's the technical record of how your wheels were built.

It stays linked to your order so you can consult it whenever you need and use actual data for future servicing.

Anti-corrosion nipple protectionWe treat every nipple before building to reduce the risk of galvanic corrosion between aluminium and the carbon rim, protecting the wheel over the long term.
For you if…
  • You alternate between XC, marathon and trail on one wheelset.
  • You want to race without sacrificing control when the terrain gets fast and rough.
  • You value a distinctive overall ride feel more than chasing the lowest possible weight.
What you'll feel with MADGOAT BALANCE
  • A lively response under power.
  • Compliance and composure when the terrain gets rough.
  • The ability to hold your line and read the terrain as speed builds.
The final degree of precision Included as standard The Precision Pack is included as standard: mass balancing with the final ZAMBRA valves and Schwalbe Clik Valve cores fitted. Inflation adapter included.
Just one decision left
Confirm your cassette Required We select the compatible freehub. Not sure which you need? We'll confirm it with you before building.

You choose the cassette. We handle the rest.

Want to make it your own?

This is the MADGOAT BALANCE we'd choose for most mountain bikers for its balance of quality, price and ride feel. Want to prioritise low weight, more extreme riding or different components? Explore the full configurator.

Built for you, not a generic rider

Before you buy, we ask your weight with riding kit, where you ride and how you use your bike. Our team uses those details to build and set up your wheelset from start to finish, check each wheel and record the results in your Quality Passport.

Is low weight your priority?

MADGOAT FLY is the racing alternative for XC and marathon when reducing weight is the priority: agile and responsive, with a more direct, less compliant feel than BALANCE on fast, rough descents.

MADGOAT FLY Ultralight weight and direct response for racing.
Does your riding call for a reinforced build?

MADGOAT BALANCE EXTREME retains BALANCE's terrain feedback and load distribution in a reinforced construction for enduro, e-bikes and high impacts.

BALANCE EXTREME The reinforced build in the family.
Rims
Spokes
Hubs
Appearance
Extras
Step 1 of 5 · Model

Choose your model

Three ways to take your mountain biking further, whether you race or not. BALANCE: control, composure and response on any terrain; FLY: minimum weight for riders who turn every gram into speed; BALANCE EXTREME: the benefits of BALANCE geometry, reinforced for enduro and e-bikes.

Step 2 of 5 · Spoke type

Spokes

They all serve the same purpose. The difference is in how you want the wheel to feel. Steel: the traditional balance of stiffness, elasticity and reliability, with a little more weight.

Step 3 of 5 · Hubs

Hubs

The hub affects the weight, maintenance and response of the wheelset. You'll only see options compatible with your chosen rims and spokes. ZAMBRA Performance: our reference for its balance of weight, function and ease of maintenance.

Every hub is checked at ZAMBRA before delivery.
Step 4 of 5 · Appearance

Appearance

Make them yours. We've taken care of the performance.

— —

Nipples

Black · standard ZAMBRA finish

Spoke colour

Black · uniform
Colour customisation does not affect the wheel's setup or performance.
Step 5 of 5 · Final extras

The finishing touch

Review the final details. The Precision Pack is included as standard at no extra cost.

✓ Included Precision Pack, ZAMBRA valves with Schwalbe Clik Valve cores, inflation adapter and rim tape.

ZAMBRA Precision Pack · Included

Each wheel is balanced using the actual weight of its valve and tubeless system. This reduces mass imbalance for more uniform rotation — particularly useful on lightweight wheels and high-performance bikes.

Included
Balanced with the final ZAMBRA valves and Clik Valve cores fitted.
Dynamic verification before delivery.
Reduces vibrations caused by mass imbalance.
Included with the Precision Pack
Pair of ZAMBRA valves with Schwalbe Clik Valve cores
ZAMBRA · Schwalbe Clik Valve

Inflate with a push-on or lever-lock Presta pump head. We include the Clik Valve adapter for a click connection, pressure readings on a compatible pump gauge and disconnection without releasing air from the tyre. Not compatible with direct screw-on Presta heads.

Valves, cores and adapter included

PellejoPro · Rim protection

Clear PPF protection applied to the rim's outer surface to reduce superficial marks and scuffs. Estimated added weight: 32 g per wheelset (16 g per wheel). Coverage and finish are confirmed before building.

+€120.00
Rider weight (including riding kit) 70 kg
45 kg 90 kg 135 kg

Enter your exact weight so we can fine-tune tensions and later calculate a suggested tyre pressure for your riding.

Main use

We tailor the build to how the wheel will actually be used.

ZAMBRA Setup Lab

Tyre pressure starting-point calculator

Estimate a starting pressure using weight, tyre, casing, setup and terrain. Always check the limits marked on the rim and tyre.

Special instructions

Leave this blank and we'll use our recommended setup.

Step 1 / 5
Our own MADGOAT BALANCE geometry

Two sides. One wheel working as a whole.

The offset channel brings the drive side and disc side closer in behaviour. The aim is to reduce the tension difference and distribute loads more evenly between the two sides.

First impressions from riders

A wheel that responds under power and stays compliant and composed on rough descents. It holds its line and reads the terrain as speed builds.

Our own geometry

MADGOAT BALANCE

Offset channel to bring both sides closer in behaviour.

Illustrative cross-section of MADGOAT BALANCE geometry
More balanced tensions
Conventional geometry

Less compensated channel

Different angles can increase the tension difference.

Illustrative cross-section of conventional rim geometry
Greater difference between sides
Aligned spoke exitThe undulations align the spoke and nipple at 90° towards each hub hole.
Reinforced lipsThey provide lateral support and pinch-flat protection where it matters most.
An honest comparisonThis is a geometric illustration. Actual distribution depends on the hub, spokes and lacing.