Flow Wheels 14” Supermoto Wheelset on My Sur-Ron: The Sweet Spot for Daily City Riding
August 1, 2022
I’ve ridden my Sur-Ron in a lot of different configurations, but the supermoto setup is the one that turns it into a legit “run errands, rip downtown, carve roundabouts” kind of EV. This time I installed the Flow Wheels 14” supermoto wheelset, which sits right between the popular 12” supermoto conversions and the stock-ish 17” feel.
After living with it for real street riding, I get why 14s are a thing: they keep that low, snappy supermoto vibe without making the bike feel tiny or overly specialized.
A quick note on what “14-inch supermoto” changed for me
The biggest difference wasn’t a spec on paper. It was the way the bike felt underneath me.
With the 14s, the Sur-Ron immediately felt lower and more settled. I could flat-foot it more easily, and the whole bike felt more comfortable in stop-and-go city riding. The handling also picked up a kart-like character—quicker to lean, easier to whip around, and more intuitive when I started pushing into turns.
If your Sur-Ron life looks like mine (commuter-style riding, lots of corners, lots of braking, lots of quick maneuvers), this size makes a ton of sense.
Unboxing and build quality (first impressions that mattered)
When I pulled the Flow Wheels set out of the box, the build quality stood out right away. The spoke tension looked even and consistent, and the overall finish felt like a real upgrade part—not a gamble.
I also grabbed reflective orange rim tape while everything was off the bike, which made application quick and painless.
Install and first ride: playful, quick, and… a surprise braking “boost”
The install was straightforward, and on my first ride I immediately liked the personality shift.
The bike felt more playful, and acceleration felt quicker compared to my 17” setup. Even the braking felt stronger at first… but that “extra stopping power” turned out to be something else entirely.
Important fitment issue: front tire clearance on FastAce forks
Here’s the big lesson from my setup.
I initially ran a 100mm front tire, and during higher-speed braking the fork would compress and the tire would rub against the fork stanchions on my FastAce fork. The result was a jarring, secondary braking sensation—like the bike was braking twice. Not only did it feel weird, it’s the kind of thing that can become genuinely dangerous if it happens at the wrong moment.
To fix it, I swapped to a narrower front tire: an 80/80-14 (Pirelli). With that tire mounted, the clearance issue went away, and the bike became noticeably more maneuverable because nothing was binding up mid-turn or mid-brake.
Credit where it’s due: Flow Wheels was easy to work with and reimbursed me for the replacement tire after I sent over the details.
Second ride: this is the ride feel I wanted
With the narrower tire installed, the setup finally clicked.
The bike felt:
Lower and easier to control at city speeds
More comfortable when leaning and turning
Easier to whip around in tight areas
More intuitive in the corners (that counter-steer / push-steer feel came naturally)
I also noticed I was more cautious around potholes. Smaller wheels can make rough pavement feel more consequential, so I paid more attention to road surface and line choice.
14-inch vs 17-inch: the “daily commuter” argument
Compared to 17s, the 14” supermoto setup made the bike feel snappier and more compact in the best way. It fits my body positioning better and makes the Sur-Ron feel more proportionate for the way I actually ride.
Will I go back to 17s for my normal routine? Honestly, I don’t think so.
14-inch vs 12-inch: why I like this middle ground
I get why people love 12s for super tight cornering, but 14s feel like the compromise that suits daily street riding. You still get that supermoto agility, but the bike doesn’t take on that “toy bike” look some people worry about with smaller wheels.
If you’re building a Sur-Ron that lives on pavement and spends its time downtown, on back roads, or hitting summer street events, 14s feel right.
Off-road reality check
This setup is made for street riding. I’d still do light, minimal off-road on it if I had to, but that’s not what it’s optimized for. The confidence, grip, and handling benefits show up most when the surface is pavement and the mission is carving.
What We Like
Snappier, more playful ride feel than 17” wheels
Lower center of gravity makes the bike feel more comfortable and easier to manage
Cornering feels intuitive and kart-like
Quality wheelset with solid communication and customer support from Flow Wheels
Great fit for daily commuter-style city riding
Things To Consider
If you’re on a FastAce fork, watch front tire width: a 100mm front tire rubbed for me under compression
Smaller wheels make potholes and bad pavement feel more important—ride accordingly
This is a street-first setup; it’s not the choice for regular off-road riding
Final Thoughts
The Flow Wheels 14” supermoto wheelset hit the sweet spot for how I actually use my Sur-Ron. It sharpened the handling, made the bike feel more comfortable and confidence-inspiring around town, and delivered the kind of tight, responsive cornering that makes supermoto conversions so addictive.
Just be thoughtful about your front tire choice—especially if you’re running a FastAce fork. Once I corrected the tire width, the setup felt dialed.
Links
Flow Wheels 14" Supermoto Wheelset: https://flowwheels.net/products/14-supermoto-wheelset-for-surron-and-segway
RunPlayBack Merch: http://shop.runplayback.com/