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So im currently running flow ex and crests with 2.35 rubber. I like them. It works for me, i dont get tyre roll (much) they dont pop off the rims and ive only had one small ding in a number of years.
But my riding buddies are buying new bikes, they are coming with shiny new wider rims that look cool. Now is there much benefit of me spending lots of brass going to say the mk3 flows?
or is it minimal gains and im better spending the money on cake?
Cake
+1 Cake
Wide rims are nice, I love my 30 mm jobbies, not sure I'd ditch an otherwise perfectly good set just for the width though.
Run 'em til they die, then replace them with some wide boys.
Cake again.
The one "flaw" in my new Orbea are the DT Swiss wheels. 22.5mm rims and alloy nipples wouldn't be my first choice but I'll probably run them until they break.
Flow EX's aren't narrow, 25.5mm internals.
You'll not notice such a difference compared to those going from the 'standard' 19mm's.
I can definitely see the benefit of going from narrow to wide-ish. But I can't say I feel any difference between wide-ish and wide, in terms of tyre support or whatever. It adds a little volume, which imo is good but not massively (a diminishing return, this)
And a lot of the chat about this seems contradictory- "go wider to get a squarer profile and better cornering" "Buy our new WT tyres which are designed for wider rims, because wide rims make tyres too square". I feel a bit like if a tyre doesn't work right on a normal sized rim that's a failing of the tyre (ie, hans dampfs being super-rounded)
Reserving judgement really but there's a good few mm difference between the 2 sets of wheels I use in my main bike- one is wide-ish, one is wider-ish, neither is super-wide- and I just can't tell so why would I pay money to add a few mm to another wheelset?
Just bought a pair of Easton Arc 27(mm internal) rims - £33 each in the crcazy crclearout. Nice price, especially as they're now branded as RaceFace Arcs and £77-£89.
As they're going on the monstercross with 40c - 2" rubber, I reckon they count as Wide rather than wide-ish. Looking forward to seeing how different they feel compared to the stans alpha (17mm) I've got on there at the moment. Heavier, for starters!
Having said that, in response to the OPs acktewal question - cake. 2.1" tyres on 17mm internal isn't optimal. 2.35s on 25.5 is pretty good already.
Will you spend all the money a variety of cakes, or stick to one favourite?
I think I'd go on a 1/3 split between chocolate fudgecake, victoria sponge and lemon drizzle cake. The chocolate fudge cake must be absolutely filthy, though, with loads of butter icing. Thanks.
Cake. With the money saved you could buy everyone who has posted on this thread cake and still be in pocket. Belgian bun for me please 🙂
Mark Weir doesn't like the wide rims, so horses for courses. Don't fall for the marketing.
Is cake marketed? No. Therefore cake.
Cake. With the money saved you could buy everyone who has posted on this thread cake and still be in pocket. Belgian bun for me please
Could be arranged.
I havent had any lemon drizzle in ages.
hmmmmm
Would you have bought new rims and laced in the old hubs, or would you have bought new complete wheels?
Just trying to establish your cake budget...
just rims
45mm or wider .... everything else is just Anorexic 😉
Long answer: According to Stans
https://www.notubes.com/technology/wide-right
26mm is spot on for 2.35" tyres. So the Flow ex is fine. I bought some new wheels and chose 27mm internal over 29/30mm because I'm running a 2.3" tyre. I think the difference between 27mm and 30+mm would be marginal for me.
Short answer: cake.
More info here. Including stans, mavics and WTB's input. I'll be over-rimmed (ooer!) on me new Arcs on tyres less than 45c
http://www.bikerumor.com/2016/08/12/tech-story-match-bicycle-tire-width-rim-width-best-results/
TL;DR: still cake.
Went for dt swiss 401's which are 22.5mm internal, said wide enough for 2.4 tyres. All this talk of wider made me start to think about 481's. Looks like I'm stuck with them for now as I never see any 481's cheap enough, especially 28h. So Tiramisu or cheesecake for me thanks.