Light rim for a heavy rider?

[sAFETY]

I'm in the market for a new wheel and looking for rim options from bigger riders.

What I'd really like is a light DH race rim, but consider that:

I'm about 220lbs before gearing up
I tend to come up short on gaps
I have a history of taco'd rims
I want to race, but this wheel will have to survive regular shore and Whistler days


I'm looking at the EX729, but not sure if it'll be up to the task. Is there a lighter rim out there than my trusty ol' Mag30 that can still hold up?

PINNERS NEED NOT REPLY (no offence, but I don't need to hear how your Singletrack has held up nicely after all the abuse your 150lb body could dish out).

Money is not really a factor, but the cheaper the better as there is a good chance I'll be buying a few of these as they dent, crack, and fold).

Current contenders are the aforementioned EX729 and the Syncros DP32

[blunt boy]

721s have worked well for me. I like your 2 choices though. Riding Whis and the shore may beat the heck outta all those rims though.

edit.
ever consider having a whistler specific rear wheel? ie double track on a cheapish hub.

[big-ted]

Well, I'm "only" 185lbs, but my old 321s (now called the 729) are still fine after 4 years of abuse. It's a seriously burly rim...

[DaveM]

I have the same requirements as you. I was 20lbs heavier, now I'm 20lbs lighter. I've been using 729's for the past couple of years. The rear has a few dents but only from accidentally letting my seatpost slip down and contact the swingarm on full compression, in effect bottoming out.

I'd recommend them.

[1994canucks]

The 321 isn't the 729.
570g compared to 675g.

Stay away from the 321 my reco. not strong enough for you.

[rowdy01]

I`m just over 210 gear`d up, and cannot recommend a more reliable rim than the Arrow DHX. Had mine for two seasons now and no problems at all. Simply the tuffest rim around.....might seem a little heavy but the weight was well worth it to me as i too was going through 2 wheels a year for awhile.

Arrow also has a smaller wheel for free ride...FRX, that may be more to your liking.

www.arrowracing.com (http://www.arrowracing.com)

[sAFETY]

I`m just over 210 gear`d up, and cannot recommend a more reliable rim than the Arrow DHX. Had mine for two seasons now and no problems at all. Simply the tuffest rim around.....might seem a little heavy but the weight was well worth it to me as i too was going through 2 wheels a year for awhile.

Arrow also has a smaller wheel for free ride...FRX, that may be more to your liking.

www.arrowracing.com (http://www.arrowracing.com)

Damn dude! Bing, purge, or whatever, just make up your mind!

http://bb.nsmb.com/showpost.php?p=1655221&postcount=9

Thanks for the info though, Those Arrow FR might be a good comprimise (the DHs sure are heavy).

[nouseforaname]

The 321 isn't the 729.
570g compared to 675g.

Stay away from the 321 my reco. not strong enough for you.

The EX729 was formerly called the D(for downhill)321.
The EX721 was formerly called the D(for downhill)521.
Some people have a hard time getting their brains around the "new" numbers.

EX729 FTW for big guys IMO (i'm "only" 195 so maybe outside your opinion catchment area) I've also had good personal success with the Syncros DP32 - similar beefiness to the EX729 (double eyeletted also), but a little narrower - good if you're not running the super big tyres.

[xy9ine]

ex721! light & burly; not oxymoronic.

[Timmigrant]

I'm a bigger guy, around the 215-220lbs region and ride fairly hard. I previously had good luck with the old D321s. I know that the EX729 is supposed to be the same rim, but for whatever reason I wound up breaking a good couple of them.

I've since been using the Alex Supra Ds and they seem to hold up relatively well. They do dent a touch easier than the EX729s however, but they're a full 100g each lighter. I know have them on both the DH and the AM bike.

[Geeeunth]

yeah i have the ex729.. its great!!!

[mattj]

At 220 and coming up short on gaps, there's no "lighter" rim that's intended for that use... In fact even the heavy rims aren't meant for that...

I'd recommend a Transition Revolution 32/36 or a Dirty Hard Rcok XXX rim.


-m

[biggles604]

I've since been using the Alex Supra Ds and they seem to hold up relatively well. They do dent a touch easier than the EX729s however, but they're a full 100g each lighter. I know have them on both the DH and the AM bike.

I've rated the Supra-D rims highly too.
To the original poster:
Look at the top of the gear page; I have a stickied rim thread with a catalogue of peoples experiences and preferences.

[sAFETY]

I've rated the Supra-D rims highly too.
To the original poster:
Look at the top of the gear page; I have a stickied rim thread with a catalogue of peoples experiences and preferences.

Yeah, I read through that and it was super informative. Nothing terribly specific for heavier riders though.

[dudski]

if you are 220 and case stay far away from a 721.....729 is the shiznit for pretty much anyone...just run high psi if you don't want to flatspot your wheels.

[blunt boy]

At 220 and coming up short on gaps, there's no "lighter" rim that's intended for that use... In fact even the heavy rims aren't meant for that...
-m

This is kinda key for sure.

[mr_fungle]

Contrary to biggles' thread, I have had great luck with doubletracks. They might weigh a bit more, but they are bombproof when built right. My 729 on the rear has dings and flatspots all over it.

[sAFETY]

Does anyone have an feedback on the Syncros DPS32? just 10grams heavier than the EX729. How do they compare?

[coverider18]

IMO the 729 is stronger then the mag 30....

[HIBuLlitT]

IMO the 729 is stronger then the mag 30....

:orly:

[Bryce]

IMO the 729 is stronger then the mag 30....

hmmm I dunno. I'd hafta give it to the Mag30 since the 729's seem to be a little more prone to dents and flatspots.