Which rim gets the hardest life, front or rear?
I’ve only ever damaged my rears (on a full sus) but I’ve seen a few fronts dented.

I ask as I’ve got an odd 823 & don’t know if I should build my wheels with both 819’s or add the beefier 823 at the front or rear.

Rear.

+1 for rear.

Defo rear on a hardtail.

You tend to guide the front around obstacles whilst the rear usually hits what you are trying to avoid.

Rims are consumables.

Roger

Bloody expensive consumables when you need them sewn up again . Ive done my own on BMX’s but MTB rims are different due to the offset.

(I really don’t know the answer to this)…is an 823 really beefier, or just wider ?

(I’d have the wider rime at front as that’s where I’d use the biggest tyre)

I’d assumed they’re beefier as they supply them for DH rather than the 819

Rear generally gets the harder life, damage to the front is almost always from crashes.

Plus it looks wrong to have a beefier rim on the front.

used to always break rear rims