Toughest wheelset- Weight NOT considered!

[Dozer]

What wheelset would you consider the absolute toughest with no consideration given to weight?
Both factory and custom wheels are options.

 

[Jason M.]

DT swiss FR 541 ( 32 hole ) / sapim force spokes / DT swiss 350 or 240 hubs

FR 541 | DT Swiss

www.dtswiss.com

and here is the link for the rim intentionally being destroyed

 

[ebsocalmtb]

WTB HTZ i30
reserve e30/hd31/dh30
Spank 359

 

[Jukka4130]

When it comes to rims, the Beast DH30 is hard to beat. A more affordable option would be WTB HTZ i30 or possibly even HTZ i35.

For hubs, the Classic model from Onyx Racing Products features a sprag clutch mechanism that has virtually no parts that are subjected to wear. As a plus, the mechanism provides instant engagement and silent operation.

Pretty much an ultimate wheelset right here. Onyx Classic Hubs for an E-MTB – Onyxhubseurope.com goes electric! - Onyx Hubs Europe

 

[Dozer]

Thank you all for the input.
Some quick googling show a pretty large span in cost for a wheelset.
(Price listed is just the first I found. It's probably better deals out there)
WTB HTZ I30 = $770
SPANK 359 VIBROCORE = $830
DT Swiss FR 541 -DT Swiss 350- Sapim Force $930
Light Bicycle Recon Pro EN932- DT Swiss 350 $1,035
NOBL TR38 - I9 1/1 $1,240
We Are One Strife - I9 1/1 $1,475
Reserve E 30|HD 31|DH $1,799
Beast Components DH30 -DT Swiss 350 $1,900
ENVE M9 $2500++

I'm ok with spending some money on this, but I don't like the idea of spending more than I need.
I don't care about the sound from the hubs, and I'm not obsessed with saving weight.
My main concern is reliability and that the wheelset can handle my weight (6'4" 300+lbs) and ab-use in rough terrain.

How does the width of the rim affect the strength of the wheel? Is a wider wheel stronger?

Of the options mentioned above (still open to suggestions) what would you say is the toughest wheelset - for a heavy rider?

 

[InRustWeTrust]

i would ad the DT SWISS H1700 Spline 30 rims to the list, they are fairly cheap and quite durable and can take a lot of hits so they should hold up really well for heavier riders.

 

[Rubinstein]

Mavik E Deemax s30 very good and won’t brake the bank

 

[Jukka4130]

How does the width of the rim affect the strength of the wheel? Is a wider wheel stronger?

Of the options mentioned above (still open to suggestions) what would you say is the toughest wheelset - for a heavy rider?

Not to a meaningful extent once you're in the 30mm(ish) territory. 30-35mm inner width fit's the bill in +90% of the cases.

 

[Dozer]

Mavik E Deemax s30 very good and won’t brake the bank

I was looking at the E Deemax and thought it would be a really good alternative. With ASTM CATEGORY 5 and weight rating at 180KG (!!!) it really got my attention.
Then I found a couple of reviews of the Mondraker Level R where they have the NON-S version and it didn't really hold up that well. (The Loam Wolf)
The E Deemax S30 is probably a better wheel than the NON-S version, but it would be good to have some input from someone (heavy) with experience with the Deemax.

 

[RoJo]

i would ad the DT SWISS H1700 Spline 30 rims to the list, they are fairly cheap and quite durable and can take a lot of hits so they should hold up really well for heavier riders.

Seconded. These are very strong and ride well.

 

[RoJo]

Not to a meaningful extent once you're in the 30mm(ish) territory. 30-35mm inner width fit's the bill in +90% of the cases.

A smart DT Swiss employee assured
me that wider rims are noticeably stronger and from my experience this seems to hold true.

 

[RoJo]

I was looking at the E Deemax and thought it would be a really good alternative. With ASTM CATEGORY 5 and weight rating at 180KG (!!!) it really got my attention.
Then I found a couple of reviews of the Mondraker Level R where they have the NON-S version and it didn't really hold up that well. (The Loam Wolf)
The E Deemax S30 is probably a better wheel than the NON-S version, but it would be good to have some input from someone (heavy) with experience with the Deemax.

What I love about the E Deemax is firstly the price and quoted strength, but secondly no rim tape required at all because the spokes attach from the inside. This makes it the easiest tubeless setup I have ever worked with.

 

[Rubinstein]

What I love about the E Deemax is firstly the price and quoted strength, but secondly no rim tape required at all because the spokes attach from the inside. This makes it the easiest tubeless setup I have ever worked with.

Have to agree there, I had to pump up my stock set of Giant AM rims at least once a week, with the e deemax s30 it’s not even once a month. Also you could buy 3 sets for the price of some quoted here. My fully loaded set up is around 120kg, but I wouldn’t be doing DH like that, more long range trail stuff, so I wouldn’t say my wheels take a pounding, but they do have the reputation for taking it. I’ve done around 4000k so far this year on mine, done one free hub service and bearing check, no parts needed, just grease. Only thing I’d say is tyres are tight to get on and off compared to my stock set. You have to make sure both beads are sitting in the wheel well when fitting. This is obviously part of the reason they seal so well I suppose.

 

[Paulquattro]

A smart DT Swiss employee assured
me that wider rims are noticeably stronger and from my experience this seems to hold true.

This is very dependent on make as for example a hope fortus 30 is stronger than a fortus 35 as the 30 has extra reinforcing inside
And i would have to disagree even if the extra reinforcement wasnt there as wider rim is more prone to damage than a narrow rim for example in the 30 - 35mm camp as they tend to be flatter in design when wider generally.
But we all ride different things with different results thats just my findings.

 

[Healy]

Got a pair of fortus 35s on mine and they have been brilliant. Never knew that about the reinforcing of the 30s. Interesting that

 

[Gilbo]

Thank you all for the input.
Some quick googling show a pretty large span in cost for a wheelset.
(Price listed is just the first I found. It's probably better deals out there)
WTB HTZ I30 = $770
SPANK 359 VIBROCORE = $830
DT Swiss FR 541 -DT Swiss 350- Sapim Force $930
Light Bicycle Recon Pro EN932- DT Swiss 350 $1,035
NOBL TR38 - I9 1/1 $1,240
We Are One Strife - I9 1/1 $1,475
Reserve E 30|HD 31|DH $1,799
Beast Components DH30 -DT Swiss 350 $1,900
ENVE M9 $2500++

I'm ok with spending some money on this, but I don't like the idea of spending more than I need.
I don't care about the sound from the hubs, and I'm not obsessed with saving weight.
My main concern is reliability and that the wheelset can handle my weight (6'4" 300+lbs) and ab-use in rough terrain.

How does the width of the rim affect the strength of the wheel? Is a wider wheel stronger?

Of the options mentioned above (still open to suggestions) what would you say is the toughest wheelset - for a heavy rider?

Contact a guy called Martin at hands on wheels in London. This guy builds the best wheels using whatever products you spec. He built me a set using
DT swiss 511 rims
Bitex hubs
Sapim race spokes
They were considerably cheaper than the ones you have listed and are bullet proof.

 

[uspsa2011]

Greetings emtb'rs

Reviving old thread..

WTB HTZ is for sale at REI

If member, take advantage of 20% off. YW!
Ordered for my Mulletized Rail!