Stan’s NoTubes has reworked their three iconic alloy mountain bike rims to be wider, lighter and stiffer, putting them back on the mountain as trends move toward bigger tires across the board.
While wide is the trend, getting the rim width right for the discipline-appropriate tire was key to optimized performance, safety and durability. They call it Wide Right, which means a properly sized rim for the tire being used, and vice versa, so that the casing’s shape stays nice and round.
Here’s how their new rim lineup accomplished that…
Original rim profiles on the left, new ones on the right – L to R: Flow, Arch and Crest
The new Crest MK3 is 23mm (up from 21) and gets a stronger 6069 alloy that let them use thinner wall extrusions to shed about 25g from a 29er rim, coming in at 365g (29er).
Going wider made it about 16% stiffer laterally, but it maintained its vertical compliance. It’s optimized for a 2.0 to 2.25 tire.
The old Arch was simply a Crest with an extra brace inside. The new Arch MK3 loses the brace and gets a whole lot wider. It measures 26mm internal, and weight stays the same as before, coming in at 470g for a 27.5″ rim.
It used to be billed as a “big guy XC rim” and now it’s more of a trail or Enduro race rim. It’s a half millimeter wider than the old Flow EX, optimized for a 2.25 to 2.4 tire.
The Flow EX also loses its internal brace and grows from 25.5 to 29mm internal. For a 27,5″ rim, weight dropped about 25g to 535g. It’s optimized for a 2.35 to 2.8 tire.
All of the rims use a new flat/rounded shape that’s shallow, letting it flex a bit over the terrain without being weak laterally. It’s a good looking shape, and they’ve updated their logo and graphics to enhance the overall look and freshen it up after 15 years in business.
Pricing and availability, along with full specs are on their website now. All will be available as rim only (~ $100) and as complete wheels with Boost, standard, Lefty and RS-1 hubs, Center Lock or 6-bolt.
Please 26”!
They’ve been good about supporting 26″ so let’s hope that continues.
What would be the reason to get these over DT Swiss 401/471/481 that feature proper tubeless compatibility and lower weight?
How are you coming up with DT Swiss being lighter? 29er rim at 365g is lighter than anything DT Swiss has, isn’t it?
Compatibility? Just make sure you check the list. I made the mistake of assuming any tire with a 622 BSD would fit on my 622 BSD Arch EXs–just as it has always been, with all tires throughout history. So I was a little surprised when I tried to fit a set of WTBs on those rims. Who knew you’re supposed to check Stan’s list of approved brands before picking a tire. Granted, I did choose the only brand that emphatically does not fit, but, really, compatibility between parts of the same listed dimensions shouldn’t be an issue.
Those are quite a bit heavier (like 100 grams) and stan’s rims have some of the best tubeless compatibility on the market.
Not sold on these changes. The old Crest was too flexible for me so I’ve always chosen Arches and been happy. New Arch is wider than I care for with XC tires. I know wider is the “in” thing to do but I really don’t need a 26mm wide rim for 2.0 tires.
That’s why they made the new Crest stiffer… In your case, you’d be going from an Arch EX to a Crest Mk3.
So it sounds like the new Crest is what you’re looking for. Also, wide is “in” for a reason, the same reason nobody rides or races 2.0 anymore.
a lot of people still race and ride 2.0. See winners of recent PRO XCT races and Sea Otter last weekend, and the 2015 national champion… Still into the wider rim with a 2.0. you get traction benefits of 2.2ish tires without the added weight of extra rubber in the tire casing and lateral stiffness increase.
Looks good, but their is their bead seat diameter still larger than “standard”. The graphics all say “wheels”, will these be sold as rims? 26? I’m in for a Flow 26″ rim.
Tough crowd here. B*tching around as usual.
I welcome these changes. Especially if the new Crest turns out stiffer than the previous model.
Check there page. They have 26
This isn’t helping my new hoop decision between the WTB KOM i25 and Easton Arc.
I switched from regular flows to KOMs. I was taking a crescent wrench to the bead to fix huge folds after wearing out just one tire, as well as fixing a bunch of flat spots, & I had to go from 2.25 to 2.4s to keep if from continuing to happen(removing any weight savings I might have got from the KOM.) if you look around, they actually call the KOM a “race day only” rim some places , & I have to agree.
If you’re married to the idea of a 25mm rim, I’d go with Flow EXs over anything else. the ARCs & these new rims are going to be stronger at wider measurements, since they’re relying almost entirely on the arc at the back of the rim for strength.
Plus, with these new rims on the market, maybe you can get some Flow EXs on clearance. I know that’s why I bought my first pair.
I may end up with a Crest in the rear and an Arch in the front. 2.25 is as wide as I’d ever run in the rear and the narrowest I’d ride up front.
Ryan, did you ever decide on this set up? I’m debating between the Crest and the Arch, and this seems like a good compromise. Any input would be appreciated. Thanks!
I run Freq i25’s on my ML8 and I love them. 26bikes.com has them very cheaply too for around 46 euros per rim. (got mine there too btw)
False, I run 2.35″ tires on older Stan’s Crest rims, they run just fine.
Stans seems to be listening. They’ve improved their hubs, which is welcome because those previous hubs were a joke. Now they are making the crest stiffer which was needed. Nice work stans.
Hmm, ProCore compatible at 23mm wide. I wonder…
Arch MK3 looks like a direct competitor to Velocity’s Blunt SS.
Looks like they made a cheaper rim and called it an improvement lmao