[Closed] New rim time - DT Swiss XM481 or Stans Flow Mk3

I have very little input I’m afraid as I have been pondering the same question for pretty much the same type of riding.
Flows can be had slightly cheaper, but DT Swiss rims seem to be getting good rep at the moment... haven’t made a decision yet either!

Might help

http://singletrackmag.com/forum/topic/new-rim-time-anyone-with-dt-swiss-xm-481s

I have been thinking about this for a while as I am in the middle of sourcing bits for a new wheelset. I was going for the DT XM481, but I think I am going to go with either a Spank Oozy 345 or Oozy 350 (when its available), they seem like a really good compromise between weight and strength from the bits I have read.

Of those two I'd go 481, too many stories of cracked stans mk3s for my tastes (and I've always been a stans fan before).

But other rims are available. I quite like WTB

I've been running 481's on my short travel 29er.

I've done a reasonable amount of trail riding, DH racing, Enduro's and holidays in very rocky places & they are holding up great.

Still straight & true, no dings despite being battered into various rocks - highly recommended from me.

They have already outlasted numerous carbon rims I've run & ride nicer too 🙂

There is an EX511 aswell which is the EX471 in a wider (30mm) format.

We had the same thoughts last summer, was a choice between the 471 and 481. Had a long chat with the DT Swiss guys out in Finale at the EWS and they convinced me to go with the 511. had them built up on DT Swiss 350 hubs by 18 Bikes, so far so good.

I like WTB rims.

But:
Just for doing some "wheel research" I ordered FUN WORKS rims, similar to:

650b, 35 mm inner bead width, €89.90
https://www.actionsports.de/en/fun-works-trailride-35-disc-black-650b-19983

29er, 35 mm inner bead width, €89.90
https://www.actionsports.de/en/fun-works-trailride-35-disc-black-29er-19985

Think the DT Swiss has a similar price tag like above - but 30 mm inner bead width?

Can't say anything yet if the Fun Works rims will hold up.
Will know more in a couple months...

I've had Flow Mk3 and XM481. No problems with the Flow (didn't put too many miles on it before selling the bike) but I prefer the XM481 I think. They built up really well and needed very little adjustment compared to the Flows. I've put a few small dinks in the rear and but also killed a few tyres at the same time.

XM481. Though I'd go with a DT hub also, but then I love DT hubs.

Though I'd go with a DT hub also, but then I love DT hubs.

The 35 mm internal bead width

FUN WORKS

But no idea how they hold up.
Not really sure - but the FUN WORKS rims are an "actionsports" brand.
Made in some plant in Asia where others make their rims as well...
Will see.
😯

Had a long chat with [s]the DT Swiss guys[/s] myself out in [s]Finale[/s] the shed at the [s]EWS[/s] garden and I convinced myself to go with the 471. had them built up on DT Swiss 240 hubs by actiosports.de, so far so good.

@vmgscot:

hubs by actionsports.de, so far so good.

Haha. So you had a long chat as well. Great.

But only joking?
I order actionsports stuff only since a couple months.
You ordered stuff before? Ever used their FUN WORKS rims?
O.k. stuff?

@andreasrhoen

Only bought the DT wheel build from them, first purchase but the wheels seemed to be well built and no problems thus far. Not needed to retrue or tweak as yet but only been running since November.

@vmgscot

Great. Thanks.

I always work on some older bikes. New forks, new Shimano drive train and things like this. With all these crazy axle standards it's difficult to find a complete, used wheelset nowadays. BOOST front and QR back and crazyness like this. Easily ends up in a bad looking bike.

To make things look neat I stared recently to order stuff at actionsports. Makes it easy to define the spokes, the rims, the colors, the hubs. Front and rear looks "factory new" then - although it's a crazy mix from different standards...

actionsports are really good, no worries at all

Cheers for the input. Think I'm decided on the Hope Pro 4 laced to DT Swiss XM481. £475 from moonglu with their 5% discount code.