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Hi All,
I'm putting together a rigid bike (carbon 456) but I'm undecided about the rims. It is between Arch EX (24.6mm wide) and Flow EX (29.1mm) and I've read loads of threads and the No Tubes website. At 70kg before gear, for XC riding (not going to be hucking or DH), Arch seems to be the one but I wonder if running a hardtail with a rigid fork has a different set of requirements to suspended bikes. Is it worth the small weight difference to have the extra depth and width of the Flow EX for stability and increased tyre volume? I plan on using 2.35in tyres. With a rigid fork, I hope to be picking clean lines but if I do take a hard hit, there is less 'give' in the system - will I want the stronger wheel? Thanks in advance for your input!
Arch EX are plenty strong, if you weighed maybe 300lbs+ and were doing freeride like backflips and huge jumps then I would go for the Flow EX
FWIW I'm using Olympics on mine, they've not missed a beat. The logic's sound that the wheels should get hit harder, so I used to use 819s but in the end I reckon I ride it that much "softer"- it doesn't get babied but the same arm and legwork that stops it killing me also stops it killing the wheels.
Big tyres though! Mine has a genuine 2.5 on the front, run at a pressure so low that my Joe Blow's gauge doesn't detect any air pressure at all, marvellous.
I think you'll be more than fine with the Arch EX and possibly even go for the Crest.
I've been running a Crest wheel set on my long travel hardtail for a couple years now and not had any issues. I weight 90kgs and used the bike for ploughing through rock gardens in Peak and Lake district, Wales and regularly do small and medium sized drops often to flat.
The wheels have been great and stay nice and true. only slightly dinged the rear rim in a crash but just bent it back and its been fine.
Are your local trails very rocky or rough ground? if so maybe the Arch EX to be on the safe side. But if its woodland trails I think you'll be fine with a Crest
what have you got in a 2.5, northwind?
Singleply Nevegal 😀 Quite pingy as the rim's a bit small for it, but it works well still. Pretty light yet inexplicably tough, it is an oddity, right down to having 2.35 in some places on the carcass and 2.5 on others.
Thanks! This is helpful. Arch seems strong enough. For running wider tyres, is the extra width of the Flow worth it (greater volume, less burp ect.)? I don't have a lot of experience with rim and tyre width combinations. Thanks.
Arches, don't go for the Crests. The extra flex for tbe weight loss isn't worth it unless you are racing.
Crests are pretty strong, I've been taking them off 4 foot and small doubles drops ever since my flows packed in - they've held up just fine but they really do not track as well as strong rims.
The flows are a great rime and will offer less tire roll and more grip but it depends how hard you push the bike and yes flows will burp less.
Hmmm. Personal preference o'course but I don't think stiffness is something to worry about too much on a rigid- my old wheels were definitely stiffer than my slightly noodly new ones, but it's never felt like a disadvantage, I guess I'll take whatever flex I can find when rattling it down innerleithen 
Think of it as horizontal travel.
But yeah, it could be offputting for sure, it's a pretty big difference when you step up to an Arch etc.
Thanks! Assuming Arch will be plenty strong, is there a reason to not get Flow? Is weight it? Would extra volume from the extra 4.5mm give a bit more compliance in the tyre to counteract the greater wheel stiffness?
It would flatten the tyre profile giving you more grip when the bike is upright and the tyre would deform less when turning.
You'd have more grip but not more comfort, unless you ran a bigger volume tyre.
Weeeelll... Broadening the rim increases the volume too. Whether you'll notice is a different question.
I have a pair of Flow rims in Hope Hoops guise.
I bought them originally for a Soul build but now on my 1999 Caldera 8)
I appreciate that they are towards the heavier end of the scale but they are really rather strong - mine have never needed truing and are in excellent condition.
They give a really nice profile to a [b]big tyre[/b] and so IMHO are a good choice for a fully rigid bike - minor weight penalty aside.
I've actually nevr punctured using them even when using 12PSI 😳 in a 2.4''RR
I also run a set on my Solaris and a front on my Fortitude for a bit of extra tyre girth.
They get my vote - also piece of cake to get tyres on and off.
Halo Freedom rims are crazily cheap on Wiggle just now...£20
I have a pair of 29ers built up, they are very strong.
If I still had a 26er I'd be snapping these up.