New hoops

[gorgechris]

I'm thinking about buying some new rims, as part of an effort to increase the stiffness of my wheels. My riding style has become more agressive in the past year, to include light freeriding and fast, rocky trails, and I think I'm getting too much flex.

Currently, I'm running Bontrager Valiants laced with DT 14/15 spokes, which is great for XC but may be too light for heavy-duty trail riding. For rubber I dress them up in Tioga 2.1s. I'm pushing a Slayer, Fox TALAS (standard QR), and weigh just under 150 lbs.

What do you guys recommend for rims? A nice balance of moderate strength without becoming too beefy, because I still have to haul them up hills. I'm willing to pay a fair price, and I would also hope them come in black.

Thanks for your input!

[FlipSide]

I have no experience with them, but I'm pretty much set on the Mavic 618 as an eventual replacement for my Mavic 221.

Given the usual Mavic quality, the high-end 618 should be very good!
:)

[Repack]

Rhyno Lite welded/machined rims. Very strong, respectable weight, inexpensive. For your application I don't think you'll find snyone here with anything bad to say about them. I've been using them for 3 seasons now on my trail bike and love them.

[gorgechris]

Gracias, amigos. That'll give me a couple of options on which to cogitate.