Evening,

I’m about to embark on a new bike build.

I’ve been out of the tech side of things for a rather long time and need to order new wheels.

I want to go with the hope wheels. I’m not so sure what width is best for blasting around the South Downs doing cross country stuff and bumbling about.

Am I right in thinking the narrower would be best in this instance?

29mm outer width so around a 24-25mm internal width would be sufficient for 2.1”-2.4” tyres like what I run on my xc/trail ht

Awesome. Thanks.

Taking into account that the wider the rim, the more it will square off tread of a narrow tyre

So a 2.3” on a 29mm external diameter rim gives a good profile of tread

Also note how much clearance your frame accepts in the rear as to how much you’ll have for mud shedding abilities unlike me in my frame 😜

No worries Spooked, happy to help 👍😃

Awesome. All these flipping new standards….. it’s a minefield.

Grumble grumble.

Thank you though!

My 29″ front wheel is 27mm internal and running a 2.6″ Hillbilly. It’s 2.4 wide in real size on the rim. I was toying with going for 35mm rims and running wider tyres at around 16psi tubless. Currently running the front at 20psi and have lots of grip.

Be careful, the Hope (Fortus) wheels with 30 width are a super heavy downhill rim. Hope Hubs and DT rim of your choice a better bet.

Ah perfect. I will have a look. Thanks

As above, it was quite surprising how portly hopes wheelsets were when announced.
I’d skip their cast iron builds and go with something like an xm421 for 25mm internal that will be good upto 2.4 whilst being light and plenty strong for xc duties..

If you are riding South Downs and want to run a narrow mud tyre you may want to downsize the width.

I’ve got some of the entry level Roval wheels, which are fairly wide but my 2.0 mud tyre (needed for the clearance in South downs clag) just won’t shape up right. I end up not riding that bike in winter because of the clearance problems and inability to fit a narrow tyre. I could do with a second hand wheel with a narrower rim really.

stealth incoming. OP I’ve got some barely used Hope Tech Enduro on Hope Pro II that could possibly be available (someone just offered me a dynamo wheelset so need to fund). 23mm internal, perfect profile on 2.2 Conti Race Kings, will go up or down some. https://www.bikeradar.com/reviews/components/wheels/wheel-sets/hope-tech-enduro-wheelset-review/?image=3&type=gallery&gallery=1

PM if interested 🙂