The DT Swiss R460 DB is a precision-engineered aluminum clincher rim designed for modern road bikes with disc brakes, combining low weight, tight manufacturing tolerances, and a tubeless-ready bead profile for reliable rolling and braking performance. As the premium pick on this list it offers superior durability and consistency compared with more budget-focused rims like the Velocity A23 and Kinlin XR31T, though it carries a higher price tag than the Mavic Open Pro UST and most mid-range alternatives.
Tubeless-ready confidence
Swiss-precision snap
Tubeless-ready confidence
Swiss-precision snap
Review Summary
"Users praise the DT Swiss R460 DB for precise engineering, durability and a confident ride feel with good braking characteristics; criticisms focus on the premium price and it being marginally heavier than top race carbon alternatives."
Lightweight climbing
Disc-specific aluminum rim designed for reliable wheelbuilding and long-term durability.
Lightweight climbing
Disc-specific aluminum rim designed for reliable wheelbuilding and long-term durability.
Enhanced Physical Well-Being
Recreational Enjoyment
Time-Saving Convenience
The DT Swiss R460 DB is a precision-engineered aluminum clincher rim designed for modern road bikes with disc brakes, combining low weight, tight manufacturing tolerances, and a tubeless-ready bead profile for reliable rolling and braking performance. As the premium pick on this list it offers superior durability and consistency compared with more budget-focused rims like the Velocity A23 and Kinlin XR31T, though it carries a higher price tag than the Mavic Open Pro UST and most mid-range alternatives.
Tubeless-ready confidence
Swiss-precision snap
Lightweight climbing
Disc-specific aluminum rim designed for reliable wheelbuilding and long-term durability.
Tubeless-ready bead profile that accepts modern clincher tubeless tires without major modification.
Tubeless-ready confidence
Swiss-precision snap
Lightweight climbing
Disc-specific aluminum rim designed for reliable wheelbuilding and long-term durability.
Tubeless-ready bead profile that accepts modern clincher tubeless tires without major modification.
The Race Face Arc 30 HD is a heavy-duty take on a 30mm internal rim, tuned for aggressive trail and enduro riders who want a lively ride without sacrificing impact resistance. It competes by offering a well-balanced mix of stiffness, weight and price — generally more affordable than premium Swiss-made rims while delivering better impact tolerance and a tuned ride feel compared with narrower, race-focused rims like the DT Swiss EX 511.
HD strength
30mm inner
HD strength
30mm inner
Review Summary
"The Race Face Arc 30 HD is viewed by long-term riders as a very durable, impact-resistant rim that suits heavy-duty trail and enduro use, delivering predictable stiffness and few failures over time. Users commonly accept the extra weight for the added strength, though a small number report more frequent spoke tension checks are needed."
Aggro-ready smirk
30mm internal width that balances strength and tire support for aggressive riding
Aggro-ready smirk
30mm internal width that balances strength and tire support for aggressive riding
Recreational Enjoyment
Skill Development & Mastery
The Race Face Arc 30 HD is a heavy-duty take on a 30mm internal rim, tuned for aggressive trail and enduro riders who want a lively ride without sacrificing impact resistance. It competes by offering a well-balanced mix of stiffness, weight and price — generally more affordable than premium Swiss-made rims while delivering better impact tolerance and a tuned ride feel compared with narrower, race-focused rims like the DT Swiss EX 511.
HD strength
30mm inner
Aggro-ready smirk
30mm internal width that balances strength and tire support for aggressive riding
HD reinforced construction and thicker walls for demanding descents
HD strength
30mm inner
Aggro-ready smirk
30mm internal width that balances strength and tire support for aggressive riding
HD reinforced construction and thicker walls for demanding descents
$200-300 CAD
Stan's NoTubes Grail MK3 stands out for tubeless performance and weight savings thanks to Stan's bead/socket expertise and refined rim profiles, making it a top choice for riders who want easy tubeless setup and low rolling resistance. While not as rugged as the DT Swiss G 1800 or as budget-oriented as Velocity, the Grail MK3 occupies a strong mid-range position by reducing sealant needs and delivering race-ready feel for the price.
Easy tubeless
Vibration damping
Easy tubeless
Vibration damping
Review Summary
"Riders consistently praise the Grail MK3 for its reliable tubeless performance, light weight and long-term durability on rough gravel; some say it's pricier than basic rims but worth it for the beadseal and ride quality."
Grail grin
Engineered by Stan's for exceptional tubeless bead seating and reliable seal with sealant
Grail grin
Engineered by Stan's for exceptional tubeless bead seating and reliable seal with sealant
Recreational Enjoyment
Time-Saving Convenience
Stan's NoTubes Grail MK3 stands out for tubeless performance and weight savings thanks to Stan's bead/socket expertise and refined rim profiles, making it a top choice for riders who want easy tubeless setup and low rolling resistance. While not as rugged as the DT Swiss G 1800 or as budget-oriented as Velocity, the Grail MK3 occupies a strong mid-range position by reducing sealant needs and delivering race-ready feel for the price.
Easy tubeless
Vibration damping
Grail grin
Engineered by Stan's for exceptional tubeless bead seating and reliable seal with sealant
Modern rim profile suited to wider gravel tyres for improved comfort and traction
Easy tubeless
Vibration damping
Grail grin
Engineered by Stan's for exceptional tubeless bead seating and reliable seal with sealant
Modern rim profile suited to wider gravel tyres for improved comfort and traction
$250-350 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 Race Face AR 30 is built around all-mountain durability: a stout aluminum clincher rim that tolerates heavy braking, impacts and aggressive cornering while remaining repairable and cost-effective. Within this group it’s one of the toughest choices, prioritizing strength and impact resistance over shaving grams and offering a strong cost-to-durability ratio compared with premium DT Swiss or Mavic models.
Enduro-proof
Wide stability
Enduro-proof
Wide stability
Review Summary
"The Race Face AR 30 is praised for its strength and predictable handling in aggressive trail and enduro use, with many riders reporting long‑lasting service under hard use. Reviewers note it is heavier than carbon alternatives but offers strong value and straightforward tubeless setup."
Hit-and-forget
30mm internal width ideal for aggressive trail and enduro tyre profiles.
Hit-and-forget
30mm internal width ideal for aggressive trail and enduro tyre profiles.
Recreational Enjoyment
Skill Development & Mastery
Enhanced Physical Well-Being
The Race Face AR 30 is built around all-mountain durability: a stout aluminum clincher rim that tolerates heavy braking, impacts and aggressive cornering while remaining repairable and cost-effective. Within this group it’s one of the toughest choices, prioritizing strength and impact resistance over shaving grams and offering a strong cost-to-durability ratio compared with premium DT Swiss or Mavic models.
Enduro-proof
Wide stability
Hit-and-forget
30mm internal width ideal for aggressive trail and enduro tyre profiles.
Robust double‑wall construction with welded seams for superior impact resistance.
Enduro-proof
Wide stability
Hit-and-forget
30mm internal width ideal for aggressive trail and enduro tyre profiles.
Robust double‑wall construction with welded seams for superior impact resistance.
$180-300 CAD
The Velocity A23 is the value benchmark among shallow-profile aluminum clinchers, known for its robust box-section construction and exceptional affordability for wheelbuilders and everyday riders. While it may not match the tubeless refinement or lightweight gains of models like the DT Swiss R460 DB or the Stan's Crest MK4, it delivers reliable long-term serviceability and the best price-to-durability ratio for commuting, touring and budget-focused upgrades.
Bombproof build
Daily workhorse
Bombproof build
Daily workhorse
Review Summary
"Velocity A23 rims get consistent praise for excellent value, reliable true-running and ease of building, making them popular for commuting and mixed-use riding despite not being ultra-light."
Budget-friendly grin
Affordable double-wall aluminum clincher with a classic 23 mm-ish shallow profile for everyday riding.
Budget-friendly grin
Affordable double-wall aluminum clincher with a classic 23 mm-ish shallow profile for everyday riding.
Enhanced Physical Well-Being
Time-Saving Convenience
The Velocity A23 is the value benchmark among shallow-profile aluminum clinchers, known for its robust box-section construction and exceptional affordability for wheelbuilders and everyday riders. While it may not match the tubeless refinement or lightweight gains of models like the DT Swiss R460 DB or the Stan's Crest MK4, it delivers reliable long-term serviceability and the best price-to-durability ratio for commuting, touring and budget-focused upgrades.
Bombproof build
Daily workhorse
Budget-friendly grin
Affordable double-wall aluminum clincher with a classic 23 mm-ish shallow profile for everyday riding.
Lightweight and reliable for budget wheel builds, compatible with a wide range of spokes and hubs.
Bombproof build
Daily workhorse
Budget-friendly grin
Affordable double-wall aluminum clincher with a classic 23 mm-ish shallow profile for everyday riding.
Lightweight and reliable for budget wheel builds, compatible with a wide range of spokes and hubs.
$70-130 CAD