Alloy MTB rim options

[nick_the_wheelbuilder]

In the interest of helping everyone out there choose suitable rims when it comes time for an upgrade, I wrote this article.

• What rims are available now (June 2022)
• Reference weights
• Suitable use cases based on bike and riding style

I have focused only on what is currently available.

I hope this helps.

https://wheelbuilder.co.za/upgrading-your-alloy-rims/ 

[W Smith]

Great . Thanks

[Stephan]

I'm looking to upgrade my current wheel set on my XC bike. I ride mostly marathon/xc/trails. I don't do downhill or enduro or jumps. Rider weight is 85kg. I've done some research into alloy rim options. Below is my short list. No idea what current availability is like though, but keen to hear what people would recommend? 

Lyne

AMP 30 V2, 32 hole rim which seems to be built tough for trails. 6061 Alloy.  30mm internal width.  545g. R1500.

Pulse, 28 hole rim for XC/marathon racing. 28mm internal width. 465g. R1500.

Stans

Arch MK4, 32h rim suitable for XC/marathon and trail riding. 6069 alloy. 28mm internal width. 481g. R1900 – R2350.  

DT Swiss

XM481, 28 or 32 hole rim which seems to be tough as nails and suitable for almost anything except enduro/downhill. 30mm internal width. 465g. R2550 – R2850

M502, 32 hole rim for general MTB and trail use. 570g. 30mm internal width. R1800 – R2000.

Race Face

RaceFace ARC30 Offset, 28 or 32 hole rim, suitable for almost anything. 6069 alloy. Various width options. 30mm is 525g. R1850 – R2160.

[MTBRIDER1234]

3 minutes ago, Stephan said:

I'm looking to upgrade my current wheel set on my XC bike. I ride mostly marathon/xc/trails. I don't do downhill or enduro or jumps. Rider weight is 85kg. I've done some research into alloy rim options. Below is my short list. No idea what current availability is like though, but keen to hear what people would recommend? 

Lyne

AMP 30 V2, 32 hole rim which seems to be built tough for trails. 6061 Alloy.  30mm internal width.  545g. R1500.

Pulse, 28 hole rim for XC/marathon racing. 28mm internal width. 465g. R1500.

Stans

Arch MK4, 32h rim suitable for XC/marathon and trail riding. 6069 alloy. 28mm internal width. 481g. R1900 – R2350.  

DT Swiss

XM481, 28 or 32 hole rim which seems to be tough as nails and suitable for almost anything except enduro/downhill. 30mm internal width. 465g. R2550 – R2850

M502, 32 hole rim for general MTB and trail use. 570g. 30mm internal width. R1800 – R2000.

Race Face

RaceFace ARC30 Offset, 28 or 32 hole rim, suitable for almost anything. 6069 alloy. Various width options. 30mm is 525g. R1850 – R2160.

You can't go wrong with lyne. Super strong and great value. 

Stans always crack by the nipples and are not the best in general.

Dt swiss and raceface are both fine, but if I chodse, it would definitely be lyne because local is lekker!

[nick_the_wheelbuilder]

Since the release of the new MK4 rims from Stan’s, no more cracking. 
 

Had my Arch Mk4 for a year and they’re awesome. 
 

In addition to the options listed above, there’s another new rim from Aero Agencies

Zero MT25 / MT30. They’re priced like Lyne and offer an asymmetrical profile. Rims are really well made - busy testing a set now but first impressions are good. 

[Stephan]

Forgot to add, I also looked at Rapidé, but their website has been showing "out of stock" for a very long time. 

[AkwA]

28 minutes ago, nick_the_wheelbuilder said:

Since the release of the new MK4 rims from Stan’s, no more cracking. 
 

Had my Arch Mk4 for a year and they’re awesome. 
 

In addition to the options listed above, there’s another new rim from Aero Agencies

Zero MT25 / MT30. They’re priced like Lyne and offer an asymmetrical profile. Rims are really well made - busy testing a set now but first impressions are good. 

Agreed, also have some arches, mk4, and love them, they are on a hardcore hardtail, which I use for jumps a lot, as well as the occasional enduro line, and no issues at all, they have done about 3000-3500km. Highly recommend them.

Those jumps do include a few cases and whips I wasnt able to bring back, havent even buckled them yet,

Edited September 14, 2022 by AkwA

[nick_the_wheelbuilder]

Thanks for that feedback

 

[Trashy]

Check out Chain reaction.

I imported some Spank 359's, landed cost was just over R1000/rim.

[dasilvarsa]

Stick to 32 Hole Rims if Possible.

[thebob]

There is a set of 32 hole XM481 in the classifieds 

[splat]

3 hours ago, AkwA said:

Agreed, also have some arches, mk4, and love them, they are on a hardcore hardtail, which I use for jumps a lot, as well as the occasional enduro line, and no issues at all, they have done about 3000-3500km. Highly recommend them.

Those jumps do include a few cases and whips I wasnt able to bring back, havent even buckled them yet,

May I ask what you weigh ?
Stan's is usually quite rigid with their weight limits.
I think the Crest is about 85kg.

[nick_the_wheelbuilder]

Crests are lightweight XC racing rims, and well suited to gravel riding - they’re not strong durable trail bike rims. 
 

That said, I still haven’t heard of a set of Crest MK4 rims cracking yet. 

[AkwA]

2 hours ago, splat said:

May I ask what you weigh ?
Stan's is usually quite rigid with their weight limits.
I think the Crest is about 85kg.

I’m abt 92kg or so atm (slowly busy dropping), I’m on Arches tho, which are a bit beefier

[dave303e]

Stan's crests were almost a necessary devil at one stage though. I think I went through like 4 rear ones( one blew up with over inflating, the rest cracked from going too hard). I was between 60 and 70kg at that time. But it was still bang for buck the lightest cheaper setup around. 

Great article though, really appreciate it.

A lot easier and more up to date than digging through weight weenies listings....

[nick_the_wheelbuilder]

Absolutely nothing could come close in weight to the original Crests. They were like 375g or something. 
 

The new Crest Mk4 are 399g each in 29” which is still light. DT Swiss XR391 is 440g in comparison. Both 25mm internal.