Got 2 sets of wheels with a 2nd hand bike and i can only be bothered to run 1 set and will flog the other. Both at the budget end of things...
Race Face AR30 with Novatec Hubs (XD) or Stans Flow S1 with DT 370 Hubs (Microspline)
Both seem true and with free running hubs.
I’d say they are pretty much equal as wheels go. Microspline cassettes are generally cheaper eg XT v sram 1275 which might tempt you to the DT.
Are they the newer DT hubs with star ratchet free hub? I'd keep those
Are they the newer DT hubs with star ratchet free hub? I'd keep those
Is there anyway i would be able to tell easily without pulling them apart?
I found the RF rims to be really rather dentable. I'd choose the others based on that alone.
Edit: sorry, that was the ARCs, although apparently the ARs are even worse
The first if you want a good all rounder, the second if you want tough and reliable (but with a weight penalty).
The RF rims are great for me in terms of weight/strength/price balance. I use them on my “big” bike. The Flow S1 are chunky and will take far more abuse before denting, a friend of mine (bike mechanic for a living) swears by them for e-bikes.
I’d go for the DT. Rims change/break etc. DT will go on forever
Is there anyway i would be able to tell easily without pulling them apart?
No but it's simple to pull the DT freehub off and look. No need to remove the end cap or cassette. All pushes back together.
I snapped one of those RaceFace wheels, a bit surprising as it wasn’t a massive case, more a loving tag (and I had an insert in 😆) , so I would go with the Stans!
race face rims are made of cheese
Even if they are the older 370s they are pretty reliable. I have been running some for 7 years and only replaced the bearings 2 years ago.
Be easier to sell the dt350 set, so I'd do that if they're much of a muchness.
I'd keep the DT.
Race face rims are fragile.
DT hubs are reliable
While spares do exist for Novatec, it can be hard to work out exactly what you need compared to DT.
Microspline cassettes can be cheaper than xD
XD cassettes are lighter and last longer. XT being a bit cheaper is a false economy IME