Are the arch mk3 rims up to a hammering?

For a 29er “enduro” bike which is taken to the alps, smashing uk bike parks (think revs and 50 shades at bpw for example).

Cheers.

Cant comment on the Arch mk3 rims but my Flow mk3 rims have survived 50 shades, escort, dai hard etc…and that’s on a 50lb e-bike

There have been some reports of Arch MK3 cracking around the spoke holes in pretty routine use. While this may have been sorted out, wouldn’t be my first choice for what you’re describing.

My arches mk3 lasted roughly a year before they started cracking round the spoke holes. They replaced them easily enough.

Would go Flows or EX511’s for what youre describing.

Did I read somewhere that the spoke cracking appears to be spoke tension related? i.e. If they are over-tensioned then they are liable to cracking

There have been some reports of Arch MK3 cracking around the spoke holes in pretty routine use.

Quite a few reports. I’m still using Arch EX on a set of 29er wheels and they’ve been sound but I’d avoid the Mk3s given the reports.

Arch is light, I would not describe it as strong. All stans rims are “soft”, all suffer if over tensioned.

They build into nice wheels if you are not overly abusive.

Its very subjective though, you get riders who destroy pretty much any rim in a couple of weeks, others who have a lightweight rim that is years old, both riding similar amounts on the same terrain, but with vastly different riding styles.

When folk are saying over tightened, what are they thinking? From what I can see online, and that’s not much, it appears to be around 130kgF.

I’ve just built some, and averaging around 100kgF.

Keen to work out if I need to run them softer, anyone experienced? Or with links to cracking around spoke hole stories ?

Arch MK3 is a nice lightweight trail rim. If you are heavy handed I would go elsewhere.

edit: found the link.

Stans Arch mk3 cracking !

Looks like 125kgF is the max recommended. Losing about 20-30kgF with popping a tyre on, so my 100kgF *should* be fine.

Arch is ok on a trail bike, on an enduro bike thats going to be ridden on dh tracks, XM481/EX471/EX511/Flows would be my choice.

Mine have been fine on my T130 and now using them for winter on my new Soul. Had them 2 years and they’ve been spot on. 28h build on Pro 4’s. For trail riding and occasional light DH use I think they’re fine, but for the riding you describe I’d go Flows every time.