Race Face ARC 30 targets trail riders who want a nimble, well-balanced aluminum clincher tubeless rim with competitive stiffness and relatively low weight for trail and light enduro use. It undercuts some of the beefier, more expensive enduro-specific rims like the DT Swiss EX 511 on weight and often on price, while sacrificing some of the extreme impact resistance and advanced tubeless features found on Stan's and Spank options.
Bombproof durability
Wide-volume stability
Bombproof durability
Wide-volume stability
Review Summary
"The Race Face ARC 30 is viewed as a well-balanced, affordable aluminum trail rim that builds up tubeless reliably and handles hard use; reviewers note it’s not the lightest or stiffest choice for elite racing but offers strong value and durability."
Trail-smile boost
Designed as a lighter aluminum trail rim that still tolerates hard use on enduro runs.
Trail-smile boost
Designed as a lighter aluminum trail rim that still tolerates hard use on enduro runs.
Recreational Enjoyment
Skill Development & Mastery
Race Face ARC 30 targets trail riders who want a nimble, well-balanced aluminum clincher tubeless rim with competitive stiffness and relatively low weight for trail and light enduro use. It undercuts some of the beefier, more expensive enduro-specific rims like the DT Swiss EX 511 on weight and often on price, while sacrificing some of the extreme impact resistance and advanced tubeless features found on Stan's and Spank options.
Bombproof durability
Wide-volume stability
Trail-smile boost
Designed as a lighter aluminum trail rim that still tolerates hard use on enduro runs.
Approximately 30mm internal width to optimize modern tyre profiles and sidewall support.
Bombproof durability
Wide-volume stability
Trail-smile boost
Designed as a lighter aluminum trail rim that still tolerates hard use on enduro runs.
Approximately 30mm internal width to optimize modern tyre profiles and sidewall support.
$200-300 CAD
Mavic Open Pro UST stands out as the premium, best-in-class aluminum clincher rim for rim-brake bikes thanks to its UST tubeless-ready treatment combined with a time-proven machined braking surface. It balances light weight and durability better than many competitors on this list, offering professional-level finishing and reliable heat dissipation that justify a higher price while still retaining the clincher convenience. Compared with simpler, budget rims here it provides a modern tubeless option and refined manufacturing tolerances that benefit precise builds and long-term serviceability.
Tubeless-ready grit
Time-tested strength
Tubeless-ready grit
Time-tested strength
Review Summary
"A longstanding favorite among wheelbuilders, the Open Pro UST is praised for its durable construction, predictable braking and tubeless-ready compatibility; users note it’s not the lightest rim but offers excellent long-term reliability."
Classic French wink
UST tubeless-compatible aluminum clincher with a machined brake track.
Classic French wink
UST tubeless-compatible aluminum clincher with a machined brake track.
Recreational Enjoyment
Skill Development & Mastery
Time-Saving Convenience
Mavic Open Pro UST stands out as the premium, best-in-class aluminum clincher rim for rim-brake bikes thanks to its UST tubeless-ready treatment combined with a time-proven machined braking surface. It balances light weight and durability better than many competitors on this list, offering professional-level finishing and reliable heat dissipation that justify a higher price while still retaining the clincher convenience. Compared with simpler, budget rims here it provides a modern tubeless option and refined manufacturing tolerances that benefit precise builds and long-term serviceability.
Tubeless-ready grit
Time-tested strength
Classic French wink
UST tubeless-compatible aluminum clincher with a machined brake track.
Proven double-wall box-section for long-term durability and stiffness.
Tubeless-ready grit
Time-tested strength
Classic French wink
UST tubeless-compatible aluminum clincher with a machined brake track.
Proven double-wall box-section for long-term durability and stiffness.
$220-320 CAD
DT Swiss 545d Wheelset
The DT Swiss 545d wheelset brings Swiss-engineered hubs and a precisely built alloy rim that deliver superior bearing performance and long-term reliability for commuters seeking a performance-oriented aluminum clincher. It is technically advantaged over the other entries by lighter construction and premium hub internals (and thus higher initial cost), making it a strong choice for riders willing to pay more upfront for lower rolling resistance and easier servicing down the line.
Featherlight acceleration
Precision ratchet snap
Featherlight acceleration
Precision ratchet snap
Review Summary
"Users highlight excellent build quality, durable aluminum rims, and smooth DT hubs that make it a dependable choice for commuting and light touring; some note a higher price and greater weight than race-oriented wheels."
Tubeless-ready grin
Aluminum clincher construction engineered to balance low weight with commuter durability.
Tubeless-ready grin
Aluminum clincher construction engineered to balance low weight with commuter durability.
Enhanced Physical Well-Being
Time-Saving Convenience
Skill Development & Mastery
The DT Swiss 545d wheelset brings Swiss-engineered hubs and a precisely built alloy rim that deliver superior bearing performance and long-term reliability for commuters seeking a performance-oriented aluminum clincher. It is technically advantaged over the other entries by lighter construction and premium hub internals (and thus higher initial cost), making it a strong choice for riders willing to pay more upfront for lower rolling resistance and easier servicing down the line.
Featherlight acceleration
Precision ratchet snap
Tubeless-ready grin
Aluminum clincher construction engineered to balance low weight with commuter durability.
Stiff rim profile provides efficient power transfer for stop-and-go urban riding.
Featherlight acceleration
Precision ratchet snap
Tubeless-ready grin
Aluminum clincher construction engineered to balance low weight with commuter durability.
Stiff rim profile provides efficient power transfer for stop-and-go urban riding.
$450-650 CAD
The DT Swiss 545d 700c sits at the top of this lineup as the premium aluminum clincher option, delivering tight manufacturing tolerances, a high stiffness-to-weight ratio and refined metallurgy that benefits performance-oriented hybrid builds. While it carries a higher price tag than the Mavic, Alexrims, Sun Ringle and Velocity offerings, its technical advantages in weight, precision and longevity make it the market leader for riders willing to invest in long-term performance gains.
Precision-built light
High-stiffness zing
Precision-built light
High-stiffness zing
Review Summary
"Riders consistently praise the DT Swiss 545d for precise manufacturing, low weight and a tubeless-ready profile that delivers confident ride quality; the primary downside cited is the premium price."
Swiss-made pride
Premium aluminum clincher engineered for responsive handling and long-term durability
Swiss-made pride
Premium aluminum clincher engineered for responsive handling and long-term durability
Enhanced Physical Well-Being
Skill Development & Mastery
Recreational Enjoyment
The DT Swiss 545d 700c sits at the top of this lineup as the premium aluminum clincher option, delivering tight manufacturing tolerances, a high stiffness-to-weight ratio and refined metallurgy that benefits performance-oriented hybrid builds. While it carries a higher price tag than the Mavic, Alexrims, Sun Ringle and Velocity offerings, its technical advantages in weight, precision and longevity make it the market leader for riders willing to invest in long-term performance gains.
Precision-built light
High-stiffness zing
Swiss-made pride
Premium aluminum clincher engineered for responsive handling and long-term durability
Optimized for disc-brake wheelsets with higher spoke-count options for strength
Precision-built light
High-stiffness zing
Swiss-made pride
Premium aluminum clincher engineered for responsive handling and long-term durability
Optimized for disc-brake wheelsets with higher spoke-count options for strength
$220-350 CAD
The Velocity Cliffhanger is a versatile aluminum clincher touring rim that balances relatively low weight with a rugged box-section profile suited to mixed-surface travel. It occupies a mid-market position financially, offering better performance and stiffness than budget rims like the Ryde Andra 30 while remaining more affordable than premium Mavic and DT Swiss offerings. Compared with the Rhyno Lite XL, the Cliffhanger leans more toward rideability and weight savings rather than heavy-load specialization.
Straight-up strength
Easy to true
Straight-up strength
Easy to true
Review Summary
"Users like the Velocity Cliffhanger for its strong, wide, tubeless-capable profile and predictable handling under load; a few note it commands a premium compared with generic alloy rims."
Trail-happy charm
Wide double-wall alloy rim optimized for stability and confidence with larger touring tires.
Trail-happy charm
Wide double-wall alloy rim optimized for stability and confidence with larger touring tires.
Recreational Enjoyment
Skill Development & Mastery
The Velocity Cliffhanger is a versatile aluminum clincher touring rim that balances relatively low weight with a rugged box-section profile suited to mixed-surface travel. It occupies a mid-market position financially, offering better performance and stiffness than budget rims like the Ryde Andra 30 while remaining more affordable than premium Mavic and DT Swiss offerings. Compared with the Rhyno Lite XL, the Cliffhanger leans more toward rideability and weight savings rather than heavy-load specialization.
Straight-up strength
Easy to true
Trail-happy charm
Wide double-wall alloy rim optimized for stability and confidence with larger touring tires.
Eyeleted spoke holes and a robust braking surface suited to extended miles and mixed conditions.
Straight-up strength
Easy to true
Trail-happy charm
Wide double-wall alloy rim optimized for stability and confidence with larger touring tires.
Eyeleted spoke holes and a robust braking surface suited to extended miles and mixed conditions.
$160-260 CAD
The Grail MK3 is an aluminum clincher designed around Stan's tubeless expertise, offering a bead and well shape that promotes reliable sealant performance and fast, low-pressure tire setup—ideal for cyclocross riders who prioritize tubeless reliability. It is often lighter and more tubeless-friendly than older open-clincher designs like the Velocity A23 OC and provides a more ready-to-run system than some traditional rims, while typically undercutting HED on price. Technically it shines where sealing, puncture resilience with sealant, and ease of setup matter most.
Tubeless sealing magic — hug
Featherweight agility
Tubeless sealing magic — hug
Featherweight agility
Review Summary
"Stan’s NoTubes Grail MK3 receives strong praise for easy tubeless setup, robust construction and improved tire stability—reviewers commonly highlight its durability and forgiving ride for mixed-surface racing and training. Few users report issues, so it’s considered a top choice for aluminum tubeless CX rims."
Bead-lock confidence — clamp
Stan’s tubeless-optimised rim design for fast, reliable seal and easy mounting.
Bead-lock confidence — clamp
Stan’s tubeless-optimised rim design for fast, reliable seal and easy mounting.
Recreational Enjoyment
Time-Saving Convenience
Skill Development & Mastery
The Grail MK3 is an aluminum clincher designed around Stan's tubeless expertise, offering a bead and well shape that promotes reliable sealant performance and fast, low-pressure tire setup—ideal for cyclocross riders who prioritize tubeless reliability. It is often lighter and more tubeless-friendly than older open-clincher designs like the Velocity A23 OC and provides a more ready-to-run system than some traditional rims, while typically undercutting HED on price. Technically it shines where sealing, puncture resilience with sealant, and ease of setup matter most.
Tubeless sealing magic — hug
Featherweight agility
Bead-lock confidence — clamp
Stan’s tubeless-optimised rim design for fast, reliable seal and easy mounting.
Lightweight yet robust alloy construction targeted at mixed-surface cyclocross riding.
Tubeless sealing magic — hug
Featherweight agility
Bead-lock confidence — clamp
Stan’s tubeless-optimised rim design for fast, reliable seal and easy mounting.
Lightweight yet robust alloy construction targeted at mixed-surface cyclocross riding.
$350-650 CAD