Looking for a 650b wheelset, preferably non carbon.

Would prefer something on a Pro4 hub as they look easy to service etc but I’ve read a few moans about the current Hope Hoops.

What is everyone else running?

What for?
Stans Flow EX works for me, new ones out and wider.
Whats the moans about hope for? Hibs are dead easy to service if/when you need to

Mainly rocky/natural riding so something strong. Did look for FlowEx but they seem to be discontinued now, I did have a pair of 26″ Flows which held up well for a couple of years.

Read on a few occasions now that the Hope rims dent quite easily.

http://www.notubes.com/ZTR-Flow-EX-650b-32-Hole-Black-P971.aspx
They have changed from 25-35mm rims so probably a stock change. Happy enough here bashing round on them,some heavier mates on them too. Depends if your a rim smasher or not really 🙂

this looks like a decent offer… tempted myself..

http://www.ptcycles.co.uk/prod/2511/Stan%27s+Flow+EX+650b+Hope+Pro+4/

DT EX471s on Hope Pro 2 evo. So far so good for me, very stiff rim, withstand my botched heavy landings and easy tubeless.

EX471 on Hope here too.

Ex471 on 240s . Perfect

I’ve got some DT XM1501’s – which have been great.

Basically an updated, lighter 240S hub. If the rim dies I will lace them up to some new wider 28H Stans Arch rims, at 26mm wide internally, they are kind of the sweet spot IMO.

DT350 + EX471’s. Very happy with them

Quite happy with my Spank Oozy 295 wheels.

XM1501’s would be my pick. EX if you want something even more robust.

D’oh in contrast to my post above my EX471s are actually on DT350s not Hope Pro IIs. Knob-head.

I’ve been through a fair few wheels.

Currently running DTSwiss EX471 on the rear and FR570 on the front. Both held up well in the alps. The FR570s were a bit of a mare to get taped up for tubeless.

Easton Arc 27 on Hope, so far so good on my P7 hardtail.

Hope Tech Enduros don’t dent easily

Running Hope pro 4’s on Easton ARC30’s.

Really happy so far – easy to set up tubless and they’re held air like champs.

I previously ran DT Swiss M1700’s which I thought were great (bike was nicked). Not that wide but stiff, worked well tubeless and easy to service.

I’ve dented my Arc 24 – absolutely no recollection at all of any heavy impacts that would’ve done – only one side and very deep.. to its credit its still holding air.

Just ordered a new E13 TRS+ 28mm rim to replace it.

I’ve got tech enduros and there’s no sign of denting, happy with them. If I was buying now I’d get something wider but I don’t think there’s such a great difference.

Thanks everyone, plenty to go at then. Stuck between the Flow Ex and the 471s.

In the past I’ve not really paid attention to rim width, what’s the advantage of a wider rim?

Wider is more stable at lower pressures but too wide and the tyre ends up too square making it more nervy on the limit and more draggy. For normal sized trail/enduro tyres I think most manufacturers are designing based on 22-28mm rims, 35-45mm rims for plus tyres.

Quite happy with my Spank Oozy 295 wheels.

All reviews for these have been glowing, some riders online absolutely rate them too, but some have complained about loosening spokes, cheese-like free hubs. Talk about mixed messages, but why? Surely they can’t vary that widely in quality can they?