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Got some spare wheels and fancy rebuilding them with some lighter rims. They're pretty basic Novatec hubs with WTB STI29. I think the rims are about 600g each.
29mm ID works well for me and 2.4 tyres but would like to try a 2.8 on the front so maybe a 40mm rim?
Also don't need them to be particularly strong as jm not jumping and dropping off anything on them. I like the look of drilled out rims but they tend to be on much wider rims. I'd probably be fine with a single wall rim rather than the usual dual wall box design.
So, cheapish and light.
Don’t worry about rim weight if you’re thinking of sticking 2.8” of rubber on it. The rubber will dominate the weight.
Stans Crest4 is a pretty light rim and still 400g for a 25mm internal width. The WTB one you have isn’t that bad.
Choose your rim tape and rubber carefully and you’ll get a more cost effective answer.
Also anything you need 2.8” rubber for, you probably don’t need to worry much about rim weight anyway.
If you’re after light weight why are you thinking about putting a 2.8” tyre on? Either it’ll probably be heavy but durable or light but with paper thing sidewall accordingly?
I’ve got DT Swiss XM421’s on one bike (25mm internal) and XM481’s on the other bike. I think in 650b size they’re 440g / 480g respectively. Plenty strong enough for me when I’m clumsily battering through rocky stuff. I’m 75kgs for reference - happy to do steep ish stuff / small ish jumps and drops. Nothing outrageous.
Maybe you could go one lighter in the DT Swiss range if you’re easy on wheels - but not sure if the xc options go as wide as you want. I think the XR range goes to 25mm internal.
2.8 tyre for a rigid fork. I'm 7nder 60kg so don't need anything strong. Just want a wide rim with wide tyre.
To give you a useful response on the 2.8in tyre, have a look for Race Face AR/ARC 35mm internal rims.
I had a set of them with 2.8in tyres and they were surprisingly light.
A quick check suggests a lightish 2.8” tyre with sealant will be 1100-1200g, and around 200g heavier than a 2.3.
Start by identifying the tyre you want then see if there’s any real (relative) difference to be gained in the rim.
A 2.8 Rekon is only 967g.
Rims that are drilled to reduce weight; are they a single wall design? I think that's what I'm after.
To give you a useful response on the 2.8in tyre, have a look for Race Face AR/ARC 35mm internal rims.
My experience of these rims is they are very susceptible to dings which can affect tubeless sealing. That probably applies to most lightweight wide alu rims
My experience of these rims is they are very susceptible to dings which can affect tubeless sealing. That probably applies to most lightweight wide alu rims
Unlikely to be an issue with a sub 60 kilo rider riding 2.8", wheels on ground...
Unlikely to be an issue with a sub 60 kilo rider riding 2.8″, wheels on ground…
And on the front wheel.
A 2.8 Rekon is only 967g
The review I saw of that suggested the real world width on a 35mm rim was pretty much 2.6.
Also big tyres need more sealant.
I’m m not saying don’t do it - just consider whether it’s worth saving the cash.
It depends on the cost of the rim. If its a cheap rim, I think its worth it just to get a bit more comfort on the front end.
A 29*3.0 XR2 is only 850g.
You can get a nice Light Bicycle or Nextie rim which comes in at 320g...not cheap though.
Velocity Blunt 35 are pretty sturdy and will work with up to 3” tyres - I’ve got Chronicles on mine. Velocity also do the Dually which are 45mm wide.
i’m pretty sure that single wall rims can be difficult to build with. that may not be an issue for you.
i don’t know your budget, but an inexpensive rim that’s wide enough for a 2.8 tyre will not be light.
the velocity and race face rims suggested above are good options