[Closed] Stans Flow Rim's

They're lighter than the equivalent DT/Mavic, tougher, and work better tubeless.

If you're not a chunky lad/don't ride heavily you may find the Crest sufficient.

Blower'll need the Flow.

They're like Mavic but lighter (and so more expensive). The flow is DH strength but XC weight and great for people that rag the shit out of their bikes.

Stans are wider and lighter than equivilant rims IME. Just come from a Mavic XM819 UST rim to a Flow. The Flow is lighter, easier to lace up, wider and was actually easier to get inflated than the previous rim.

No long term use yet though.

The only downside of Flows (and other Stans rims) is they need tape & jizz to work. This means that if you change tyres much, you'll need to replace the jizz and from time to time retape them. As a result, they're a bit more of a faff than tubeless Mavics, but ultimately lighter, wider, and just as strong.

Slight hijack.

Can anyone tell me if I need rim strips or can I just use the tape with the Flows?

Tape or rim strip I don't think it matters. I did mine yesterday but used tape it's a bit more faffing but it turned out ok plus I am using ust tyres. Follow the instructions on the stans web site and you can't really go wrong. If you use tape don't forget to fit a tube and tyre first for a couple of hours as it helps push the tape down.

Tape for UST tyres and rim strips for all other tyres AFAIK.

Fitted tyre straight on after putting tape on....no need to faff around with tubes and tyre first.

You don't need to use tbeless ready or ust tyres either if you're careful with tyre choice - I've used standard conti and maxxis without any problems

Not convinced on longevity by them, went for the 721 over flows and you remember how I am with rims..

Tape for everything (ie UST, TLR, supposedly tubed tyres - the lot)- don't know if it's meant to work; I do know that it does.

Si they aren't as tough as the 721 but then they are about 120g per rim lighter. Ive been using flows for about four years now and I think they are perfect for me. This year I ran mine in the alps including Chamonix and they were fine. No dings no dents and they are plenty stiff enough for hardcore use. BTW I am 100kg although at the time I ran them in the alps I was 110kg.

Loving my new stans on hope hubs, seem much stiffer than the previous wheels I had, and the extra rim width has a good effect on the shape and fit of wider tyres. No problems running tape and sealant, no sealant required with maxxis Lust tyres.
Previously was using mavic crossmax ST and TBH got a bit fed up of struggling to buy 2 spokes at a time (most shops will only order a set of 30) and paying £10 for tubeless valves. When I bought these they come with spare spokes etc. I know if I knock one out of true or clip a spoke with the rear mech I can get any parts from LBS, same applies if im riding in Scotland, Wales etc easy servicability and tough as old boots.
Weight is about the same as Crossmax St which is sold as their all mountain wheel. A fair bit cheaper though 😀

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Looking on the Mavic web site it looks as if the St wheels are superseded by the SX, as an idea of weight these are 1755grams (wheelset) on mavic site. On hopes site Pro 2 / flows are 1886grams 131 grams difference not a big weight penalty for a much wider rim.

My Flows have been brilliant, they're trail-bike light but tough enough to survive me riding downhill trails in a really cackhanded manner I'm a fan for sure. Wouldn't put them on a downhill bike but that's about it (there's someone that races on them, is it Sabrina Jonnier?)