I've picked up a pair of DT Swiss 350 hubs in the sales to build an XC wheelset for local lanes & singletrack, wheels on the ground, riding. What rim would you recommend? I've had a quick browse & was thinking DT Swiss XR391 but is there anythingelse significantly better?
10 years ago & had a similar wheelset built with American Classic Hubs & Light Bicycle Carbon rims but I'm not sure if LB are as economical as before since brexit & all the import duty stuff or if modern wider carbon is any lighter than aluminium.
XR391 deffo. There are light but strong and tough, and they build really well with the 'squorx' nipples. Make sure you get the correct size E5 External Torx socket to build them too and do all your truing and tensioning from the outside, works great, much better than using a spoke key on the inner.
https://www.sealey.co.uk/product/5637778835/e5-14sq-drive-trx-star-socket
Massive fan of the top range DT alloy rims, built a few now and wont go anywhere else. They have a really nice bead blasted finish which lasts much better than glossy anodising or coating too.
I went 28h XM421 as the bike also gets used for trail. 350s (old version), DT Comp race spokes and alloy squorx gave 1768g. CX wheels are 32h R and 28H F 350s on XR391 using Sapim D-light and sapim alloy double square nipples came out around 1650g (didn't record the weight sadly). Both built up really nicely.
https://www.sjscycles.co.uk/tools/dt-swiss-proline-nipple-wrench-for-hidden-torx-nipples/?geoc=SE
The driver tool is great for running the nipples in to the correct depth. If you are building a lot of wheels it makes it super easy, its almost doubled in price though.