Recommendations for...
 

Recommendations for a set of carbon mtb rims

Posts: 235
Full Member
Topic starter
 

I have a pair of ENVE hubs (one was a warranty replacement but it took so long to agree I had another set of wheels built so I thought I would use these to build an upgrade set of wheels for my trail bike.

The new wheels will mostly be used for trail/trail centres riding but also the occasional enduro trails.

i weigh 74kgs

The rims need to be 29”, 28hole, tubeless compatible etc

I was looking at DT Swiss XMC 320 but the more I look the more wheel components seem to become a “dark art”

Any suggestions/advice please

 

Thanks


 
Posted : 25/01/2026 10:12 am
Posts: 20948
 

We Are One have been good for me. To those specs I’d go for the Sector. Be aware though, some websites have them at £500ea, the prices have gone up post i9 aquisition and sites haven’t been updated, so any order you make might be rejected. RRP is £650ea now.


 
Posted : 25/01/2026 10:58 am
Posts: 3604
Free Member
 

Merlin have Reserve 30 front wheels for £275 at the moment - very tempting to buy a pair to strip for the rims..


 
Posted : 25/01/2026 11:27 am
Posts: 9777
Free Member
 

DT Swiss XMC

 

<OnePerson'sSubjectiveOpinion>

I'd suggest not DTSwiss. I had XMC 1500s and they were:

  • Too stiff and not as good as the DT alu wheels on rough rocky stuff
  • Rejected for warranty when they were damaged due to the fact they had clearly been used on trails with loose rocks

 
Posted : 25/01/2026 11:40 am
Posts: 2211
Free Member
 

Why carbon?


 
Posted : 25/01/2026 7:09 pm
el_boufador reacted
Posts: 3318
Full Member
 

@nickfrog yes I was thinking that also.

I* find the rear rim in particular is pretty much a regular maintenance replacement item, unless treating them carefully.

(but who wants to do that?)

Also im not convinced they actually ride better, based on the single front carbon rim I own. I'm happier with a bit of flex in the rim - alloy "seems" (subjective) to find more grip and not get pinged off stuff so much.

* But I am a bit of a biffer at 95kg so that might have something to do with it...


 
Posted : 25/01/2026 9:06 pm