Ryde were formerly Rigida and have a lot of experience in making rims. Their MTB versions are very interesting and really push boundaries in terms of what is possible.
Getting things straight when it comes to what you want from a MTB rim these days:
– Light
– Stiff
– Strong
– Tubeless compatible
– Wide
The whole of the Ryde range offers all of these things. Adding to that, they have off-centre drilling which makes for a better balance of spoke tension. That means higher tensions overall. While we are on the subject of tensions, I should also point out that all their rims can withstand 120kgf which is very good.
Trace 21 29″ XC (also available in 650b), £70/rim, 32h, black
Built for the XC-racer and the trail rider, offering extremely low weight and maximum functionality with 3 millimetres offset for a stronger wheel and an optimized width to get the most out of your bike and the maximum performance out of your tyres.
It has the strength and stiffness usually found in much heavier rims. The 21mm internal bead width perfectly fits 52mm tyres, offering optimized traction.
The spoke pattern is asymmetrical and holes are also drilled in two directions. This offers equal spoke tension on both left and right whilst allowing direct alignment of the spoke nipples, giving a stronger and longer lasting wheel.
29″ x W 20.8mm x H 16.5mm
Size: 622×21
Tyres: 45-54mm
Spoke holes: 32
Max spoke tension: 120kg
Max rider Weight: 100kg
Weight: 340g
I know what you’re thinking. I would nevertheless strongly advise against this rim unless you are a very light rider. Please don’t be too drawn in by the 340g weight and 100kg rider weight limit. Theoretically yes, but the reality is these rims aren’t that stiff. The extrusion is just too modest for that. Think of them as a race day rim. They work better in 650b than they do in 29er. If you are going to use them, use a stiff spoke and hub combination. Ideally something like Tune and D-light.
Trace Trail 25 29″ – £70, 32h, black
This is the leading top-class aluminium rim.
Meant as a trail rim for touring and racing with a weight well below most other 25mm rims, the Trace Trail has the strength and stiffness necessary for a highly reliable wheelset.
The 25mm internal bead width means that tyres of around 57mm will fit perfectly and offer optimized traction.
The spoke pattern is asymmetrical and holes are also drilled in two directions. This offers equal spoke tension on both left and right whilst allowing direct alignment of the spoke nipples, giving a stronger and longer lasting wheel.
29″ x W 24.8mm x H 17.5mm
Size: 622×25
Tyres: 50-60mm
Spoke holes: 32
Max spoke tension: 120kg
Max rider Weight: 100kg
Weight: 450g
This is, pretty much a perfect rim. It is internally re-inforce. It is light, stiff, strong and wide. 450g next to the 21 makes it look like a heavyweight but it is very much a benchmark rim, especially when you consider it is a trail/enduro rim. Built up with D-light spokes, brass nipples, NovaTec 771/772 hubs this set will weigh 1710g and cost £400.
Trace Enduro 29 29″, 32h, black, £70.
This is the leading aluminium rim in its class. Designed as a trail rim for epic rides with a weight well below most much narrower rims, the Trace Enduro offers strength and stiffness.
The 29mm internal bead width means that even tyres up 70mm will fit perfectly and offer optimized traction.
The spoke pattern is asymmetrical and holes are also drilled in two directions. This offers equal spoke tension on both left and right whilst allowing direct alignment of the spoke nipples, giving a stronger and longer lasting wheel.
29″ x W 28.8mm x H 20.5mm
Size: 622×29
Tyres: 55-70mm
Spoke holes: 32
Max spoke tension: 120kg
Max rider Weight: 100kg
Weight: 495g
This rim is pretty immense. 495g and 29mm wide. The weight will start to put some people off but if you want a wide rim that doesn’t cost the earth and weighs sub 500g you will struggle to find anything that does it as well as this.