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Time for a new rim as I've put some nasty dents in my arch mk3 rear rim. Initially looking at the flow mk3 as I've used stans for a while and generally like them. A few people have recommended Dt Swiss rims so thought I'd look into them. I just want something tough and not massively heavy as I've just got the one bike which is Used for everything.
I've been looking at the ex471 and xm481, anyone used both (and the flow mk3?) is the 471 stronger? Not sure I really need the extra width of the 481s as I'm not really planning on using bigger than 2.3 or 2.4 tyres?
I bought ex471's recently as I don't need the extra width for the tyres I'm running. Lighter and cheaper than the ex511 to boot.
Currently running Stans MK3 Flow rims and the rear has cracked multiple times at the spoke holes
Just about to send it back to CRC for warranty
Looking online it seems this is a common issue
EX471
If 25mm is big enough then the ex471 is about as strong as you’re going to get without something monstrous. The XM421 (I think) is the 25mm version of the XM481.
Ex is their Enduro rim range, XM is the next one down in strength but a bit lighter.
I’ve got XM481’s on my Aeris 145LT and they’re really nice rims and have taken a few cased rollers no problem.
Depends where you ride / how brutal you are on rims as to which you go for.
The EX471 is an incredible rim, not too heavy but really tough and with a nice feel (32h with db spokes).
Even 2.3 and 2.4 tyres can benefit from a 30mm wide rim IME, so the 481 may have its benefits - but if you're heavy and/or ride lots of rocks fast and loose then the 471 could suit you best.
The mark3 flow is pretty light for what it is.
There are quite a few reports of cracking spoke holes, but this has always been the case with Stans rims over all generations. They don't use eyelets and specify slightly lower spoke tensions.
The problem comes because most builders build by feel, not measured tension, and it's easy to push beyond during the build.
I've no experience of the DTs, but as a set of moderately tough trail/enduro rims, the flows are markedly better feeling on my nu-skool hardtail than the previous carbons were. But then, I also built them myself, using a tension meter and have had no problems with them, despite being 90kg and being able to ride a bit.
I've had a couple of the stans rims, not cracked any but put a fair few dent in them. I found the Ex471 for £61 from tredz so I've gone for one of them, slightly tougher over slightly wider seems the way to go for me!
Good luck getting them within the week from tredz lol
Supposedly already dispatched. To be fair I ordered a couple of bits from them a month or so ago and they turned up with 3 or 4 days.
Don't get the flow rim, they are soft like cheese! The rim will bend really easy on the sidewalls and then the wheels when built will barely hold tension for more than several weeks of riding.
oikeith
Don’t get the flow rim, they are soft like cheese! The rim will bend really easy on the sidewalls and then the wheels when built will barely hold tension for more than several weeks of riding.
Sounds like someone built you a crap set of wheels. My Flows have been excellent and have never needed to be trued
My rim arrived today, pretty impressed with the speed of delivery!
You won the Tredz lottery!
I still buy stuff from them just not if I need it urgently.
Sometimes they’re like you say, stuff arrives in a couple of days. Sometimes it can take a couple of weeks, or sometimes they ring you to say the supplier hasn’t actually got any stock and it’s been discontinued (had this twice).