Race Faces’s AR & ARC series have been popular options for wheel builders since their introduction. They’re strong, fairly light, tubeless ready, and available as a rim only which allows them to be built to fit nearly any modern (or older) mountain bike. Now, they’re getting even better with a number of updates to make them stronger and to add even more build options.
One of the biggest changes for all three rim models is the new offset spoke design. This is in an effort to improve the spoke tension balance between sides of the wheel for improved strength and stiffness. This same offset design is available on all of the rims from 25mm to 40mm wide internally, all with a tubeless ready profile and a solid bead retention system.
The AR series is essentially the aftermarket version of their previously OEM only rim. This rim for the aftermarket sees use of 6061 alloy which Easton says will give comparable strength to the previous generation of the ARC rims. Available in 25, 30, 35, & 40mm internal widths in 27.5″ and 29″ rims, the AR Offset Rims will sell for $64.99-69.99.
FEATURES
- Sizes from 25mm internal width to 40mm
- Offset nipple bed for improved spoke tension balance and wheel strength/stiffness
- Tubeless ready with strong tire retention bead
WHEEL SIZE: 27.5”
- RIM WEIGHT*: 25mm – 448g, 30mm – 514g, 35mm – 552g, 40mm – 595g
- FINISH: BRUSHED BLACK ANODIZE / VINYL DECALS
- TYPE: TUBELESS READY CLINCHER (tape and valve kit sold separately)
- RIM MATERIAL: SLEEVED 6061 ALLOY
- RIM DEPTH: 20mm
- RIM OFFSET: 25mm – 3mm, 30/35/40mm – 4.5mm
- INTERNAL RIM WIDTH: 25mm, 30mm, 35mm, 40mm
- EXTERNAL RIM WIDTH: 29mm, 34mm, 39mm, 44mm
- SPOKE HOLES: 32
- RIM ERD**: 596mm all widths
- MAX SPOKE TENSION: 122KGF / 1200N
WHEEL SIZE: 29”
- RIM WEIGHT: 25mm – 470g, 30mm – 545g, 35mm – 583g, 40mm – 626g
- FINISH: BRUSHED BLACK ANODIZE / VINYL DECALS
- TYPE: TUBELESS READY CLINCHER (tape and valve kit sold separately)
- RIM MATERIAL: SLEEVED 6061 ALLOY
- RIM DEPTH: 20mm
- RIM OFFSET: 25mm – 3mm, 30/35/40mm – 4.5mm
- INTERNAL RIM WIDTH: 25mm, 30mm, 35mm, 40mm
- EXTERNAL RIM WIDTH: 28.5mm, 34mm, 39mm, 44mm
- SPOKE HOLES: 32
- RIM ERD**: 600mm all widths
- MAX SPOKE TENSION: 122KGF / 1200N
The ARC & ARC HD rims on the other hand get updated to a new 6069 alloy for improved strength with less weight compared to the last version. The ARC comes in the same 25, 30, 35, & 40mm internal width options as the AR, while the new ARC HD comes in a 30mm wide, 22mm deep version which is recommended for DH or e-bike use. ARC Offset rims will run $94.99-99.99 USD and all will be available in 27.5 or 29″.
FEATURES
- Sizes from 25mm to 40mm internal width
- Offset nipple bed for improved spoke tension balance and wheel strength/stiffness
- Tubeless ready, strong tire retention bead
- New 30mm Heavy Duty for gravity and e-bike applications – a downhill rated rim, with comparable strength to our World Cup proven Atlas.
WHEEL SIZE: 27.5”
- RIM WEIGHT*: 25mm – 428g, 30mm – 494g, 35mm – 530g, 40mm – 570g, 30mm Heavy Duty – 565g
- FINISH: BRUSHED BLACK ANODIZE / VINYL DECALS
- TYPE TUBELESS READY CLINCHER (tape and valve kit sold separately)
- RIM MATERIAL: 6069 HIGH STRENGTH ALLOY
- RIM DEPTH: 20mm, 22mm Heavy Duty
- RIM OFFSET: 25mm – 3mm, 30/35/40mm – 4.5mm
- INTERNAL RIM WIDTH: 25mm, 30mm, 35mm, 40mm, 30mm Heavy Duty
- EXTERNAL RIM WIDTH: 28mm, 33.5mm, 38.5mm, 43.5mm, 34mm Heavy Duty
- SPOKE HOLES: 32, 28, (Heavy Duty only 32)
- RIM ERD**: 562mm (25-40mm), 558mm(Heavy Duty)
- MAX SPOKE TENSION: 122KGF / 1200N
WHEEL SIZE: 29”
- RIM WEIGHT*: 25mm – 450g, 30mm – 525g, 35mm – 563g, 40mm – 598g, 30mm Heavy Duty – 595g
- FINISH: BRUSHED BLACK ANODIZE / VINYL DECALS
- TYPE TUBELESS READY CLINCHER (tape and valve kit sold separately)
- RIM MATERIAL: 6069 HIGH STRENGTH ALLOY
- RIM DEPTH: 20mm, 22mm Heavy Duty
- RIM OFFSET: 25mm – 3mm, 30/35/40mm – 4.5mm
- INTERNAL RIM WIDTH: 25mm, 30mm, 35mm, 40mm, 30mm Heavy Duty
- EXTERNAL RIM WIDTH: 28mm, 33.5mm, 38.5mm, 43.5mm, 34mm Heavy Duty
- SPOKE HOLES: 32, 28, (Heavy Duty only 32)
- RIM ERD**: 600mm (25-40mm), 596mm (Heavy Duty)
- MAX SPOKE TENSION: 122KGF / 1200N
*+/- 5%
**ASSUMING 2mm NIPPLE HEAD HEIGHT
