WTB rims

WTB are bigger overseas than they are in the UK. They are well made and pleasingly up to date, offering what most riders of today demand from rims.

ST-i23/i25 – £37

WTB says:

ST rims create an affordable solution to the previously cost-prohibitive hurdle of tubeless mountain biking. UST compliant bead hooks border a tape and sealant-driven inner rim profile, providing standards-based, repeated tubeless consistency. Enjoy the benefits of tubeless riding without breaking the bank.

DCR says:

A little heavy but very solid and good value.

Frequency – i23/25 – £50

WTB say:

Frequency rims are renowned for their craftsmanship, durability, rigidity, and tubeless simplicity. A UST-compliant inner rim profile provides standards-driven consistency while a tape and sealant system eliminates precious rotational weight. Our legendary I-Beam, 4D drilling, and WT69 Alloy further aid in lateral and torsional strength while maximizing lifespan. Add CID and you can walk into any shop and not worry about proprietary parts needed. Now available in 27.5″ sizes as well.

DCR says:

472g at 650b is not something that is going to be considered to be totally groundbreaking, however with this rim you do get a really solid profile. It is internally re-inforced making it have good dent resistance. The price point is compelling too. For example DCR MTB hubs and Race spokes would make this build £310. The weight for the set would be about 1800g, so perfectly reasonable for such a versatile set.

Kom – i23/25 – £70

As light as carbon and wider than our Aluminum competition. WTB’s KOM rims showcase what is possible with our WT69 alloy. A UST-compliant inner rim profile provides standards-driven consistency while a tape and sealant system eliminates precious rotational weight. KOMs are designed for one thing only, winning. Light enough to spin your way to the top, wide enough to own your way to the bottom. Whoever said it ain’t easy being king… was slow.

USAGE: Trail, All Mountain, Enduro

DCR says:

The Kom does not have the same a mount of internal re-inforcement as the frequency. However, most rims are built around this sort of profile shape anyway. As WTB say, it is the WT69 alloy that is the key. I am sometimes quite suspicious of the use of exotic alloys. NoTubes, Pacenti and Ryde all avoid such things and stick with high grade 6061 and yield good results. I am not convinced by the hardness of Maxtal for example – it makes it more prone to cracking. However, the WT69 appears to be a good example and has allowed WTB to produce a rim here at a reasonable price at a very appealing weight bracket that is suitable for a range of applications.

DCR hubs, D-light spokes and alloy nipples on this rim would cost £400 and would weigh 1620g.