How to choose new mountain bike rims

If you’re thinking about having a set of wheels custom-built, or just need to replace a damaged rim, here’s my take on how to choose new mountain bike rims:

Consider Your Budget

The costs involved in repairing or building a wheel from scratch are:

Labour:

• Building a wheel from start to finish typically takes me 1-2 hours per wheel.
• Budget R400-500 per wheel as a labour charge. I don’t rush the building of your wheels and would rather do it properly, taking as much time as necessary.

Parts:

• Rims – If you’re simply replacing a rim with an identical one, consider only the cost of the rim. (more on the specific cost below)
• Spokes – If you’re replacing the spokes due to damage, age, looks or because you’re using a new rim that has different dimensions to the old one, budget R15-20 per spoke.
• Nipples – Whenever I build new wheels, or replace rims, I always use new nipples. I charge these at R2 each, or if supplying new spokes I build them into the price of the spokes.
• Hubs – the price for a set of hubs can vary quite a bit, depending on the chosen model. Premium, UK-made hubs may cost over R4000 for a set, while less expensive hubs from the east may be as little as half as much.

Consider the available options

Carbon

• Locally sourced rims from brands like cSixx and South Industries are excellent quality. These rims are carefully hand made and are beautiful, not to mention light and very strong. Priced around R6500 to R7500 per rim.
• Imported carbon rims are normally purchased from websites like Light Bicycle and XM Carbon Speed are less expensive but you don’t have the option of local after-sales support. Quality is generally good to very good and they lower the financial barrier to riding bling-worthy carbon rims. You can import these for around half the price of the above-mentioned local brands.

Alloy

• In SA, the most widely available and popular rims are from the following brands:
  • Spank – options include the Oozy Trail 295 (24.5mm inner width), Oozy Trail 345 (30mm inner width), both available in 29er and 27.5 / 650B. These are often available in a range of colours, while most other brands limit you to black.
  • WTB – KOM and Frequency. Commonly available in 19mm, 21mm, 23mm, 25mm and 29mm inner widths
  • Stan’s NoTubes – The very popular Crest Mk3 (23mm), Arch Mk3 (26mm) and Flow Mk3 (29mm inner width) models
  • RaceFace – ARC models, available in 24mm, 27mm and 30mm inner widths

As you may notice, the trend is to run wider rims, for good reason. (more info on that here) All of these options are tubeless-ready and great quality. The local agents for all of these brands offer excellent after-sales service and warranties. The alloy rims mentioned here range in price between R1000 and R1700 per rim.

Last thought

If you need to replace damaged rims, weigh up the difference in price between replacing the rims vs. replacing the entire wheel. Often the price difference is small enough that you may opt for building an entire wheel set, including new hubs.

I’m at your disposal to offer advice and recommendations – please don’t hesitate to get in touch.