Rim Dilemma

[noweyout]

So I bought Mavic 823 Rims and realized they are more for DH than XC. Recommended wheel width is 2.3 to 3.0. I was planning on running 2.1 or 2.2. In a previous life, my bike ran 2.2 tires. Now I am wondering what I should do:

a) get a 2.3 tire that has an actual size of 2.2

or

b) get another set of rims

I bought these new w/ xt hubs and I am pretty sure I can get these off my hands if I need to. What do you guys think?

[Rockinthecasbah]

from the reviews they are narrow almost too narrow for a 2.6 2.7 just stick a 2.1 on there and see if it fits, you can defintly tell when a tire is to narrow for the rim

[Diamondback]

yah i agree, mavics run narrower than most rims anyhoo


(i had a pr of 321's and they were pretty narrow for their tire max.)

[HAB]

Originally Posted by Diamondback

yah i agree, mavics run narrower than most rims anyhoo

Mavic lists the internal width, whereas most everyone else goes for the external.

823s are damn nice rims, but kinda heavy for what sounds like an XCish application. If you don't care about the probably unnecessary weight, just ride them. If you think they're too boat anchorish, relace your wheels and sell the rims. Lesson learned.

[Pato]

Depends on what you you are looking to do. I agree with HAB. The new Mavic naming conventions list the inside width of the rim. In this case 23mm. The 823 is their tubeless version of their DH rim. You can always run a narrower tire on there. All it will do is widen the contact patch of the tire. Running a 2.1 on their will probably yield the same result as running a 2.2 on a narrower rim.

That being said, if all you need is a XC rim then you are running a boat anchor of a wheelset. You looking at at least a good pound of extra weight between the pair at the worst part you can possibly put it short of the tire. I believe the EX823 rims are over 600g not including the nipple cups. If you wabnt to stick to Mavics the XC717 are only 420g and do not require the nipple cups.

What is your budget and what type of riding will they be used for? Your weight and riding style will also play a role in rim recommendations. Are you a smooth rider or do you just plow through everything?

[noweyout]

Originally Posted by Pato

...What is your budget and what type of riding will they be used for? Your weight and riding style will also play a role in rim recommendations. Are you a smooth rider or do you just plow through everything?

I'm a XC rider that is possibly venturing into AM type riding. I just want a rim that will take whatever is dished out. I thought this would be my best bet. I just hope the weight won't be too much of a factor while riding. I was just a little concerned about the recommended sizes. I guess I can try out the 2.1s for now and make them wider when necessary.

[Pato]

Originally Posted by noweyout

I'm a XC rider that is possibly venturing into AM type riding. I just want a rim that will take whatever is dished out. I thought this would be my best bet. I just hope the weight won't be too much of a factor while riding. I was just a little concerned about the recommended sizes. I guess I can try out the 2.1s for now and make them wider when necessary.

Sounds like what you're looking for is the Mavic XM819 or DT Swiss 5.1. I know there are some prebuilt wheels with those rims.

If you can swing for custom wheels you should look into the Stan's ZTR Arches. They are crazy light for what they can take. I believe they are something like 420g per rim and are 19mm wide internally. You can also convert them to tubeless quite easily using their yellow tape and valve. I run those on my trail bike and plow through rock gardens and drop 6' to flat without a problem.

A full extra pound or so at the rim will make a VERY noticeable difference. It may not matter to you if you are a strong rider. As for me, I'll admit it, I'm weak. I cry at the slightest hint of a climb.

[Bryguy17]

i'd second the 819's. lighter than the 823, but heavier duty than the 517's. good middle ground, and a great rim for a trail/AM wheel. plus, it keeps the tubeless capability.

[2wheel_lee]

And I thought that the 823 is kind of heavy for my DH bike!

[jonathan_sykes81]

I have read and been told that the internal width of 823's is 28mm or 28.8mm, not 23mm. I run these on my RFX and they are great, sure they are heavy(you either get stronger or go home) but the confidence that comes from running a solid wheelset worth it. I am going to have a set of 819's built up anyway to try out. I have been using these rims for 1.5 years and I am still happy that I went with them.

[Pato]

Originally Posted by jonathan_sykes81

I have read and been told that the internal width of 823's is 28mm or 28.8mm, not 23mm.

The 823 is 23mm internal. It's possible that it may be 28.8mm external. Are you sure you're not confusing it with the 729? That's a 29mm (could be 28.8mm rounded up) internal width.

[noweyout]

NEW QUESTION:

And I've been reading up about the tubeless system since these rims are just that. Will I be using something like stan's notube stuff?

[Pato]

Originally Posted by noweyout

NEW QUESTION:

And I've been reading up about the tubeless system since these rims are just that. Will I be using something like stan's notube stuff?

Which rims are you referring to? The 823? The Mavic UST rims do not require anything special other than a UST (tubeless) specific tire. That being said, I'd definitely suggest you use some type of sealant like Stan's in there.

With Stan's ZTR rims all you will need is their yellow tape ($10/roll is enough to prep 4-5 rims) and their $8 valve stem.

With other rims like DT Swiss, non-UST Mavic, Sun Ringle, etc., you can either go with the Stan's kit for something like $60 or you can try to go ghetto tubeless using a 20" tube. I will not go into how as I have never done it before.

I'd strongly suggest adding sealant any method you decide on as it will give you the added benefit of flat protection against small punctures. You will definitely need the sealant if you choose to not use a UST specific tire in most cases as those tires were not designed to hold air without a tube in it. With the sealant, your tire choices increase significantly as you can use many non-UST tires successfully. One note is that not all non-UST tires will work tubeless though so you need to ask around before you try it.

[katonk]

Some recent threads that may be helpful:

Putting Stan's sealant to the test

Ghetto Tubeless... first attempt

and of coarse:

http://www.socaltrailriders.org/foru...ew-thread.html

[OldDogDan]

Originally Posted by noweyout

I'm a XC rider that is possibly venturing into AM type riding. I just want a rim that will take whatever is dished out. . .

It sounds like you got that. So go ahead and put UST 2.3's on there and try out some AM riding! You've already got 'em so give it a go -- you might really like it and think the ability to plow through heavy terrain is worth it. Get out & ride as opposed to second-guessing your decision. If you don't like 'em, switch back to your XC setup. Have fun!