I will shortly be replacing the rim on the rear wheel of the Whyte T120 with the stock rim lasting all of about 3 good rides and a few Mugdock ‘meanders’ and now doing a good impression of a Pringle. I have persevered with XC 717’s on my hard tail however, the point of buying the T120 was to try and ride a bit harder and faster (skills and nerve allowing). I am therefore thinking that the XC rims are probably not up to the job and I am looking at a heftier replacement. As far as I can establish this would be the Mavic XM rims.
So 319 or 719?
Looking on the t’internet would indicate the 319 is cheaper (budget is limited) while only slightly heavier. I would intend to buy the rim and spokes through Alpine and also get them to build it. Club discount and all that.
Any views on whether the 719 justifies the extra cost over the 319 or alternatives in the £30 – £40 stakes.
Stuart
Hi Stuart
I run 719s and they are pretty good. Not too heavy and decently strong. I knocked my rear one a little out of true in Verbier last year when I broke my full facer and cracked my front wheel (an old 618). It trued up a treat so I reckon it will suit your needs. I run the 29er version as well and they have been terrific. Still true despite being used daily to take the wee one to Nursery in the child seat or trailer and taken out on proper MTB rides.
Personally, I’d always recommend Big Al at Wheelcraft for a wheel build. I’ve no doubt you’ll get a good build from the guys at Alpine but with wheels, I prefer the extra years of experience that Al has over pretty much anyone. Just don’t ask for black spokes and you’ll be reet!
Cheers Sanny, have a Big Al wheel on my hard tail but thought I would go through our esteemed club sponsor. As they can’t fit me in for two weeks (as usual), Big Al’s it is. Silver spokes and all.
I’ve run 719’s on previous bikes and they’ve proved to be a pretty good allrounder. I now swear by stans flows on hope pro 2’s and run them tubeless. They’re great value for money and have managed to take all I’ve thrown at them. Pretty sturdy without being too heavy and decent price point.
D
Really like my Stan’s Flow rim too, but they’re pricey on their own (RRP is £80) – only good FVM as part of the Hope Hoops package.
Had my eye on a pair of white 355’s on merlin for £72. Would have looked magic on my bike but in reality, as I can’t build wheels, getting two wheels built is not really an option at the moment. Stans Flows are on the wish list for the future though.
I just bought a 719 to build into a new back wheel for the Five. The current 317 has been fine, so I’m guessing a 319 would be. I’m just moving it to another bike, so thought I’d build something a bit more fancy for the weekend bike.
Stans with tyre fitting can prove difficult in some instances. For instance, Nobby Nic tubeless 2.25 on a white crest! Arrrggghhh, On reflection, I should have chosen Mavis’s again, but it’s the Pimp in me!
I run a 719 and a 721. Both are great and built by wheelcraft as usual. I would say that the 2.25 (like a 2.3+) maxxis ardent squirms a bit on the 719, so if you run 2.3+ tyres I’d go for the 721, not much more weight and seems to work better if you run tyres lower than 35psi.
I’d go for 719’s with 2.1 tyres now, but that’s just because I am turning into an lycra’d xc boy… real riders should go for wide rims and big rubber 🙂