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Merlin have a pair of 29er flow rims for under £50, at the minute i run crests on my 29er (Mk1 swift). I don't need the extra strenght of the flow but wonder if the extra width of the rim will bring some benefit. My current tyre of choice is the on one smog.
Any thoughts from the collective?
I've just upgraded the wheels on my Singular Swift from Mavic XM 419 rims with an ID of 19mm to Velocity Blunt SS rims with an ID 0f 26.6mm. I'm using the same tyres, Maxxis Ardent TR front and back. I haven't ridden them yet so can't give any verdict but everything I have read indicates that there should be some improvement in handling.
Usually I find that these sorts of changes are so subtle as to be almost imperceptible but even if I can't sense it directly, I'm trusting that it may increase the margin for error.
What's the difference there? I went from fairly skinny DTs to pretty wide LBs, that's a definite improvement but I don't think it's so much a benefit of width, as a drawback of narrowness. Once you get past that outright tyrepincheyness it's less pronounced imo. It's more pronounced with some tyres than others, too- frinstance Hans Dampsf with their terrible shape, actually develop some edge on a wide rim
If you're not burping tyres or flexing your wheels anyway then I don't see any point myself.
chakaping - MemberIf you're not burping tyres or flexing your wheels anyway then I don't see any point myself.
I do tend to agree but what if there's more to it than just the obvious things you can see and feel? As with any of these things (26" vs 27.5" vs 29" wheels for instance) the advantages are not always life-changing.
I can't see the point in doing that myself, you're adding a significant chunk of weight for a few mm increased width. I think you'd notice the width increase going to a 30mm rim but even then it isn't life changing. All I noticed going to wide rims was the tyre was much more stable on the rim in very low speed manoeuvres, and has a wider profile, which it probably wasn't designed to have in the first place! You will be 20% more enduro though.
If you're not burping tyres or flexing your wheels anyway then I don't see any point myself.
This is kind of where my question comes from, at the moment I very rarely burp a tyre, the wheels do flex a bit but not to a point that makes me think they need changing for something stronger. It just seems that the current trend in the bike industry is wide rims and I'm trying to weigh up if it'll be a worthwhile change
50 for the flows is a good deal regardless ..
You will be 20% more enduro though.
Somehow doubt that on a Swift!!
Flows aren't really wide though, try 35mm+ for the real benefit
I've been running the Merlin 525+Flow package, been great for so little spends. The OnOnes (both) do go up very nicely tubeless on 'em, single wrap of Gorilla overlapped at the valve hole. No problems or burbing whatsoever.
Upgrading the front to a Velocity Blunt for a + tyre but keeping a Flow on the back.
Having said that I also run the OnOnes in 26s on Crests and they're great on there too. Myself, I'd keep the lighter weight Crests and only upgrade to a proper wide rim for a + tyre.
Not tried it on a 29'er but definitely noticed an improvement on my 27.5 with LB 35mm rims. It's not so much the width itself but the extra stability allows you to run lower pressures, I can now run 20 psi with tubeless with the corresponding increase in grip. It is quite noticeable.
I've got Superstar DS25s on my Fortitude, with 2.4" Conti tyres on at the moment
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Same width, weight as the Flows.
Was looking at going wider as a longer-term plan towards 29+ but couldn't justify the cost. I was tempted by Easton Arcs though.
If you want to go wider, why not look at wide 650b rims and 650b+ tyres?
enmac - MemberNot tried it on a 29'er but definitely noticed an improvement on my 27.5 with LB 35mm rims. It's not so much the width itself but the extra stability allows you to run lower pressures, I can now run 20 psi with tubeless with the corresponding increase in grip. It is quite noticeable.
Good point. I'd forgotten about that advantage.
Are these the white flow rims as if they are, be careful when lacing and pinching up nipples.
The paint causes some problems that are time consuming when building up.
Plus my ones frim merlin came with some paint rub marks and fairy dust all over.
Still not as bad as broken brake clamps from them.
Everytime I buy from merlin they always have an issue with each part.
Shane as they are super quick on delivery and seem to dona good deal.