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Crest rims have a few dings now on my 29er non boost wheels. I'll be honest I'd like to build something a bit stiffer laterally than the crests, they just seem so noodly on 29er size, particularly without the extra width of boost hubs. Fine on my 26" pub bike wheels, but not on these. So I'm looking to build something a bit stiffer.
Do I need to look any further than dt xm421? The 25mm width is all I need for xc running 2.2 - 2.3 fast rolling tyres.
No, you don't need to look any further! That would be my view anyway. Been giving the wider XM481 rims a hammering and they have been perfect.
I am running the 29er 421 rims, handbuilt on Hope hubs , with 2.3 maxxis tyres (setup tubeless beautifully). I was tempted to go for the 30mm rim (as is the trend at the moment) but the advice (from Ryan Builds Wheels) for my use (xc/trail) , expected tyre width (up to 2.4 say) and weight (67kg) was go for the 421s - I wanted to save weight where I could.
I am 20 or so rides in , natural trails , rocky trails and trail centres ; they are rock solid
I run 22-24 psi.
I've got 30mm 481's running 2.35", I reckon I'd go 25mm 421 next time around.
Another XM421 rider here. They're the perfect XC / Trail rim in my opinion. I'm 68kg without riding gear and ride the 28 spoke version with straight pull spokes laced to DT 240 hubs.
I've had this wheelbuild for 3 years now, running 2.25 Racing Ralph on the back and a 2.35 Nobby Nic up front. They're still as straight as the day I bought them, and I've hammered them through trail centre red and black runs, even off 3ft drops (to transition). Stiff, light, not particularly expensive when compared to carbon. 25mm is plenty wide for XC tyres.
I wouldn't look elsewhere for wheels now. I'm completely sold on DT Swiss.
I'm sold. 30mm rims for the bigger travel trail bike for sure, but deffo narrower for xc 2.3 tyres. 421s ordered.
Also need to replace my worn out Crest rims on my non boost 29er but where did you find your replacements? Looking for 29er 32h but only seen to find 28h in 29er in stock anywhere
R2 bike, one of the last German sites still willing to ship to the UK. Cheap enough that they will still be cheaper even if I get pinged on vat / import duties.
I’ve been impressed with R2 with UPS as carrier all year they’ve been quick .
My 421s are 28 hole also - they got their first rock marks in the Brecon Beacons this weekend - bit rockier than a trail centre !
The DT swiss wheel sets seem to get good reviews but I am a bit old school and like handbuilt wheels / Hope hubs