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This is a bit of a philosophical question but why are bike companies speccing light rims made of cheese on something that is sold as an EWS winning bike?
I bought the Rky Mtn Altitude Carbon 50, 2018, here in Switzerland for a not insignificant amount of money. The bike is great and overall seems very suited to alpine terrain. Except for the crappy SunRingle Duroc 30 rims which are specced on it.
On an afterwork ride round the local woods I caught the rim on a protruding log on a corner, at low speed, and it dented catastrophically, throwing latex fluid into the bushes. I was not hammering down a rocky chute, or hucking into a rock garden, or careering down a fall line, I was just taking a slow corner and nipped a branch. After 2 years previously on Flow EX rims with not a single issue, I was surprised they could dent so easily.
It seems to me this rim is not fit for purpose on a 150/160mm EWS winning bike (Singletrack found the same problem in their review).
For 4500 Francs (~ £3400) I don't expect to have to immediately fork out for new rims and wheel build!! Which of course cost me more than if Rocky did this properly the first time!
I don't know if they are trying to save a few dollars on rims, or keep the weight down for the brochures, but please stop speccing junk rims on a capable bike! It's a waste of customer time and money. It's the first time I've owned a Rocky Mountain but it really lets the bike down and, for me, tars their reputation a bit.
Local bike shop has tried to claim warranty but of course this impossible to get for such a thing. But they are doing me a deal on the new wheels so hopefully that will work out.
Any suggestions on rims? LBS recommend Syntace, but also heard good things of DTSwiss EX511?
If you catch any rim in an unlucky way then that could happen. I think you have just been unlucky.
Bike builds are a compromise at times, this one went for lighter wheels to hit a price, though sounds like an unlucky crash on this one, how slow was the crash, how big was the log and what angle was the impact??
Might be unlucky, but felt like it should take more as I've done much worse before on the Flow Ex's. Would have been slightly above walking pace as it was a tight corner. 25 psi, 70kg rider...log about arm width that hit the tyre first then the rim in a kind of clipping style. Maybe the tyre added some spring to accelerate the impact?
Any idea on something bombproof? Heard Huck Norris can help too?
As others have said, speccing a bike is one big compromise for a certain price point.
Mad for replacement rims, the EX511 is a great choice. I’m running these on my DH bike with no issues (the narrower 471 was used by Gwinn minus a tyre and didn’t look too knackered).
You already mentioned a great choice in my opinion which is Flow EX’s. My Norco Range came with DT350 and Flow EX wheels, which have taken major punishment with so far one slightly loose spoke in 3 years.
Unfortunately can't seem to get hold of any Flow EXs anymore...opted for DT Swiss 511 built onto the stock hubs. They are popular so will hopefully see me through the rocks and roots of the alps!
Still find it a disappointing compromise but kind of understand...