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Hoping to get some opinions on new rims for my 'do-it-all' bike.
Currently have two wheelsets for it: Pro 2s on 819s and Pro 2s on 823s. I'm going to switch over to just the one wheelset - Chris Kings on something. But having a bit of trouble deciding what the something should be.
I've used Mavic 8xx rims for ages with UST tyres and they've been faultless - so my gut feeling is to stick with 823s. However there are a lot of Stan's believers on here, so my alternative option would be the new Flow EX instead. One problem though - it looks like the new Bead Socket Tech on the EX's means that they're designed to work with non-UST tyres.
Upside is that I get a load more tyre choice. Downside is I'm worried they won't be as reliable as my current UST setup. In terms of tyre choice, I'll be going for 2.3-2.5" Maxxis tyres - either full UST (for 823s) or DH Dual Ply (for Stan's). They're going on my 'all round' bike, but I definitely prefer the ups to the downs so don't mind a bit of extra weight and traction on the way up.
Any thoughts? Has anyone tried the new Flow EXs after Mavics?
I have flows and had 819s. Flows dent much easier, Mavics do seem made from a better material. I've tried all sorts of non-stans rip off tapes (Cleaned, prepped & IPA so done right) and they dont last long if swapping tyres, always peel off somehwere so they dont seal. Got some gorilla tape now to try out.
So- Stans dent, are more of a faff with tape but are lighter and wider. If Mavic did a wider but not heavier rim I'd have that.
Are you sure you can't use UST anyway?
What he said. You can use UST anyway.
I've had good experiences with DT and Mavic rims and converting to tubeless with electrical tape and rim strips.
Just bought some Arch EX's for the 29er though, so we'll see how they holdup.
What scruff said - if you want better reliability stick with Mavic's 8 series rims, if you want a lighter wheel, go with Stan's (IMO).
Got a set of 819s on Kings freshly built if you are interested.
just about to change from 823s, which while they've been bombproof for the last 5 years weigh a ton (~680g per rim inc spoke holder thingies).
Hopefully my new rims (when they finally arrive) should save me well over a lb in weight.
Sorry mundiesmiester - the reason I'm binning the 819s is that they feel a bit off with wider tyres. An 821 would be ideal really...
I'm still not sure about UST tyres on the new Flow EXs though. They were fine on the old Flows, but the new BST is much shallowe - so the UST tyres don't really fit any more. I don't have a problem moving to non-UST Dual Ply tyres instead, as long as they're going to be as reliable and burp-proof as my old UST setup.
Pic below for clarity - have a look at the depth of the hook holding the bead in place on old vs new:
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SamB, I used dual ply non-UST MinionF ST/ HR 60a tubeless with Stans in the Alps- no issues at all. Really good combo actually.
Are the Flow Ex available anywhere yet? When I last looked nobody seemed to be stocking them - just other flavours of EX rim. I'd be looking at using a non-UST tyre on one (possibly even with a tube 😯 ), so don't have the same issue as the OP, and hopefully don't have much of an issue with denting the rim either - just want the widest footprint possible for use with a fat tyre.
How about Crossmax SX? Rim is roughly an 821, they're nice and tough, great support, decent hubs and probably cheaper than king.
I'd look at the wtb tcs rims.
built the older version up and no problems.
or those carbon rims at $100.
I'd keep the pro2s.
The new syntace wheels look nice.
Flow EX were in stock at JRA
i'd second wtb frequency i23 rims, proper UST rim with the tape system and therefore weight of stans. £45 from CRC
and what you save to charity.
Flow EX were in stock at JRA
Not now they're not (and weren't when I last looked) - it says all reserved for wheel builds - unfortunately JRA don't offer a hub in their custom builds which would be any use to me!