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I want to replace my rear rim due to a ding (caused, I think, by a water bar in Scotland). It's currently a Flow EX but I see that Arch seem quite popular these days. Most of my riding is more at the XC/trail end of the spectrum, but I do occasionally get airborne and I'm not perhaps the most graceful of riders in the rocky downhill stuff.
I'm therefore torn. I like the idea of a more XC-focused rear since I assume it will be easier to get up to speed and a bit faster rolling generally, but will it be so minor an advantage to not really be worth the strength sacrifice of the Flow?
The current flow is a wider rim than the ex, I think that the arch is now at that width but not as strong as the flow ex. When I went through this decision a couple of weeks ago I went for a wtb KOM-i25. I don't consider stans the go to rim that they were a couple of years ago.
I presume on your 650b bandit?
Flow weight 510g
Arch weight 420g
Speaking anecdotally. I had an arch ex on my rear and it lasted about 18 months before the LBS said I should replace it as it kept coming out of true almost every ride. Consequently swapped to a flow. The flow are supposed to be for more bashing about with thicker sides etc ( http://www.notubes.com/ZTR-Rims-C18.aspx) and with a saving of just 90g I'd go with the flow.
Yep the Bandit but still old school 26 🙂
I'm leaning towards the weight advantages being inconsequential to the reduced strength, but wondered what experiences people had with this same decision.
Sorry to derail your thread a bit... What are wtb rims like when it comes to mounting non wtb tyres? I know TCS tyres won't play with Stans rims but how do Schwalbe or Maxxis tyres play with WTB rims?
I use the new Arch's on my 160mm bike that gets raced for enduro, DH & all my other riding. I don't shy away from hitting bigger stuff generally.
I don't need a wider, heavier rim.
I run a flow mk3 on the front and arch mk3 on the back with hope hubs. Been hammering them for about 3 months and all good so far. For Scotland I'd run Flows both ends.
What are wtb rims like when it comes to mounting non wtb tyres? I know TCS tyres won't play with Stans rims but how do Schwalbe or Maxxis tyres play with WTB rims?
GF has WTB wheels on her Process, can't remember what rim exactly but Maxxis tyres work fine on them tubeless.
Put the (assuming) current Arch EX from the front onto the back. Stick a new Flow mk3 on the front. That way you get the maximum benefit from the wider rim. Same ERD so same spokes on the front. I'd consider new spokes on the back if you've twanged the rim but Roger Musson says spokes are almost always fine to reuse, and he knows far more than me!
I've been running arch ex on my Solo (only bike) with proper tyres (Baron and Purgatory, tubeless ) for 18months all over Calderdale, Kirklees, Peaks and Wales, no dings or buckles yet
i used to run 26" flows on previous bike, I don't see any downsides to the Arch.
It's a Flow on the front RicB.
Thanks for the responses everyone. I have a plan...