I recently noticed some strange cracks around 3 - 4 spokes on the rear wheel of my Cannondale Trail 2 2018. The rim is a WTB STX i23 (inner width 23mm). Obliviously I want to replace it (spokes too), and I've narrowed down my options to 3 rims. My tire is 2.4" Conti Trail King, with tube. I mostly do XC, with quite some climbing, but I also enjoy riding local trails with occasional small drops and unfriendly roots. Hub is DT Swiss 350 148mm. These are my options:
Nukeproof Neutron V2 - 500g, width 28mm, 50€ / 60$
DT Swiss XM421 - 465g, width 25mm, 68€ / 82$
DT Swiss XR391 - 440g, width 25mm, 68€ / 82$
Which one should I go with?
For that riding i'd go with the dt xr391.
Good luck finding anywhere with the nukeproof in stock, and you might struggle on the dt rims depending on diameter.
For the small weight difference I’d go XM421 - really tough rim for it’s weight.
421 would be my choice
@cp
The Nukeproof is in stock at my local shop. Why would I struggle with the DT Swiss' ?
I built a set of wheels using XM421 rims last year. They've been on everything from XC hardtails, rigid steel MTB and now my Banshee Phantom.
They're my spare wheels but they're that good, I haven't been in a rush to rebuild my main set!
I tend to ride quite fast through rocky stuff and I'm a svelte 16 stone and there's not a mark on them and I haven't had to touch any of the spokes since building either.
If I buy the XM421/XR391 do I have to use use the Squorx nipples and PHR washers? Can't I use classic nipples with no washers? Or are they supplied with the rim?
You don’t have to use the squorx nipples but you must use the washers if they are supplied with the rim (I know they are for EX and XM rims but don’t know anything about XR). Since they are supplied this isn’t exactly a hardship.
(I’ve rather taken to the squorx nipples though, even splashed out on the special tools)
The washers are annoying imo but they're such good rims I can forgive it. Definitely not interested in squorx nipples though, that's a standard that doesn't need messed with.
I’d go XM421 to be honest. They’re more forgiving of slightly clumsy riding - I boosted up off a lip today coming out of a bomb hole and landed sideways on a stick and it made an awful noise but the rim literally didn’t even flinch. Still pretty light rims and they build up nicely.
When you order an XM421 rim it will usually come with the phr washers and alloy squorx nipples. I’ve used them on 2 wheel builds now - I soak the nipples in wet chain lube before fitting. One wheelset is over 2 years old and been ridden through awful mud in that time - a stick jumped up and snapped a spoke where it goes from 1.8mm to 2mm diameter the other day. I managed to keep the nipple in the rim (tubeless taped) and just unscrew what was left of the spoke and put in a new one without taking the tyre off. Re-trued/ tensioned the wheel and no seized nipples at all.
Edit - you need to use the phr washers as the XM rims aren’t eyeletted. The cheaper (sleeves rather than welded) rims in the DT range have eyelets so no phr washers for those.
