I am hard on wheels, the current Spank rim has died but its a few years old now so I can't complain. Crack running from a nipple so perhaps over-enthusiastic spoke key use by me. Stock of Spank seems a bit thin in the UK.
I've tried and killed a XM481 in a matter of weeks. I know not to run silly low pressures and do run inserts sometimes, but they do mute the feel, but perhaps essential for Scottish enduro stuff.
EX511 are £100!!! now, the EX471 can be had for about £75 (32h) but not sure I'd get away with 25mm internal. I think the current rim is 28mm but would need to check. For winter I run 2.35/2.4 on the rear but summer time I do use a 2.5 Aggressor sometimes.
Is there anything I've missed choice wise? Did consider WTB Kom Tough but reviews on CRC say there are still soft and not sure if Stans are past the cracking rep they had for a while.
Isn't a 25mm internal considered to be stronger than a wider rim?
ex471 are meant to be stronger but it all depends on your usage and tyre pressure.
Get a Rimpact Pro insert in the back wheel mate, it'll pay for itself in the longer term and you might come to like the feel (I know I do).
I’d stick on either the ex471/511 and whack in an insert as well just to be sure if I was that heavy on wheels.
If you really want to go strong there’s the Dt Swiss FR560. Bit heavier again but it’s their strongest rim.
Thanks for the input so far. Sort of tempted to try the XM481 again and Rimpact Pro, just to save a grams over the Ex511. Or for a similar reason try the EX471, are the 25mm internal rims really a compromise tyre profile wise or is it media hoo-ha/marketing nonsense?
Inserts wise I did like my Vittoria Airliner, the Tannus on the hardtail less so..
only 45g between the 511 and 481.
for most tyres you won't notice a difference and the only real thing that wider rims allow is a bit less pressure.
are the 25mm internal rims really a compromise tyre profile wise or is it media hoo-ha/marketing nonsense?
Arguably, we're all running rims that are too wide these days because "fashion"... Certainly on the rear, a 25mm is probably preferable anyway. If you look at all the top DH riders' bikes, they're mostly on EX471's or other 25mm internal rims and with 2.5" tyres fitted.
But yeah, run an insert...
If you mashed up an XM481 previously I wouldn’t run one again just with an insert. I’d go Ex for sure. I’ve run2.6” tyres on a 25mm internal rim and it’s been fine - caveat is it’s on a hardtail that isn’t ridden right up at the limit l the time.
On the rear I think rim width is less important than the front. You’d probably be fine with the ex471 if you’re worried about the weight of the wider 511.
