Here’s all you need to know about which width is best for your bike and your tyres, and which alloy MTB rims are currently available, what they weigh.
I’ll only discuss the rims which are currently freely available (at the time of writing – 10 June 2022) and will not mention out-of-stock makes and models.
Is wider better?
Not always. Your choice of rim width depends on what will actually fit in your bike’s frame, as well as which tyres you prefer using.
My alloy rims recommendations based on your riding style:
Gravel grinder: 25mm inner width rims
You mainly stick to paved and dirt roads, non-technical trails and some easy singletrack.
Using 2.1 – 2.25” tyres are more than adequate, and provide you with enough traction and speed.
The advantage of sticking to 25mm rims is that you save precious rotating weight and your bike will feel more nimble and accelerations and climbing will be less effort.
In 25mm width we have the following 29er alloy rims available:
- Stan’s Crest Mk4 – 399g per rim
- DT Swiss XR391 – 440g per rim
- DT Swiss X432 – 490g per rim
- RaceFace AR25 Offset – 485g per rim
- Raceface ARC25 Offset – 445g per rim
Trail rider: 30mm inner width rims
You enjoy a higher concentration of singletrack and more technical riding, perhaps even some drops and jumps.
Your choice of tyre is wider and more grippy – 2.25 – 2.4” wide for maximum control.
The advantage of going with wider rims is that it separates the tyre beads, helping the sidewall be more vertical, and providing more stability at lower pressures, for better grip and lower rolling resistance.
The wider rims are heavier, but stronger at the same time.
In 30mm width, we have the following 29er alloy rims available:
- RaceFace ARC30 Offset – 525g per rim
- DT Swiss XM481 – 465g per rim
- DT Swiss M502 – 570g per rim
Heavy hitter: 30 – 35mm inner width rims
You ride a high-performance e-bike, or are a big, strong guy and you break stuff (you know who you are💪)
You use 2.4 – 2.6” wide tyres and your bike is your favorite monster truck.
Rocks, roots and jumps are taken in your stride, or you simply pick a straight line through the rough.
You need heavy-duty rims that take a beating, and weight is much less important than durability.
In heavy duty 30-35mm alloy rims we have the following 29er alloy rims available:
- Stan’s Flow Mk4 – 30mm – 521g per rim
- Stan’s Flow EX3 – 30mm – 618g per rim
- RaceFace AR35 offset – 35mm – 573g per rim
- RaceFace ARC35 Offset – 35mm – 553g per rim
- DT Swiss E532 – 30mm – 615g per rim
- DT Swiss EX511 – 30mm – 570g per rim
- DT Swiss HX531 – 30mm – 590g per rim
- WTB KOM Tough i35 – 35mm – 610g per rim
The alloy rims in this list above all vary between R1500 and R3000 each, depending on make model and size.
The rims are not all available in 28h and 32h, and not all of them are available in 27.5” wheel size.
If you’d like any more info, or are interested in replacing your rims or building some new wheels, don’t hesitate to get in touch to discuss.
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