DT Swiss XRC 1200 Spline 25
DT Swiss XRC 1200 Spline 25 is a market-leading mountain cross-country carbon wheelset prized for an industry-leading stiffness-to-weight ratio and precise hub engagement that translates to efficient power transfer on XC courses. It earns its position by delivering race-ready responsiveness often comparable to pricier rivals like ENVE while offering a competitive value versus the most premium options in this list.
Featherlight climbs
Snappy acceleration
Featherlight climbs
Snappy acceleration
Review Summary
"Users praise the XRC 1200 Spline 25 for its exceptional lightness, rapid acceleration and the reliable DT Swiss Ratchet internals; reviewers consistently note race-ready stiffness and responsiveness but point out the high price and occasional need for careful setup to avoid creaks."
Ratchet-click joy
Extremely low rotational weight optimized for cross‑country accelerations and climbs.
Ratchet-click joy
Extremely low rotational weight optimized for cross‑country accelerations and climbs.
Enhanced Physical Well-Being
Skill Development & Mastery
Recreational Enjoyment
DT Swiss XRC 1200 Spline 25 is a market-leading mountain cross-country carbon wheelset prized for an industry-leading stiffness-to-weight ratio and precise hub engagement that translates to efficient power transfer on XC courses. It earns its position by delivering race-ready responsiveness often comparable to pricier rivals like ENVE while offering a competitive value versus the most premium options in this list.
Featherlight climbs
Snappy acceleration
Ratchet-click joy
Extremely low rotational weight optimized for cross‑country accelerations and climbs.
Tubeless-ready carbon rim with a layup focused on stiffness-to-weight for responsive handling.
Featherlight climbs
Snappy acceleration
Ratchet-click joy
Extremely low rotational weight optimized for cross‑country accelerations and climbs.
Tubeless-ready carbon rim with a layup focused on stiffness-to-weight for responsive handling.
$3,000-3,800 CAD
ENVE M525
ENVE M525 is a best-in-class XC carbon rim focused on ride quality and long-term durability, with a refined layup that balances lateral stiffness and vertical compliance for technical mountain cross-country terrain. Though it carries a premium price compared with DT Swiss and Race Face, it stands out for superior build refinement and consistent on-trail behavior, making it the choice for riders who prioritize longevity and premium feel over marginal weight savings.
Stiff power transfer
Composed cornering
Stiff power transfer
Composed cornering
Review Summary
"Owners applaud the ENVE M525 for its rock-solid carbon construction, confident cornering and consistent tubeless performance; the main complaints are the premium cost and occasional reports of cosmetic chipping after heavy impacts."
Aerodynamic whisper
Proprietary carbon layup tuned for a balance of light weight, stiffness, and impact resistance.
Aerodynamic whisper
Proprietary carbon layup tuned for a balance of light weight, stiffness, and impact resistance.
Enhanced Physical Well-Being
Skill Development & Mastery
Recreational Enjoyment
ENVE M525 is a best-in-class XC carbon rim focused on ride quality and long-term durability, with a refined layup that balances lateral stiffness and vertical compliance for technical mountain cross-country terrain. Though it carries a premium price compared with DT Swiss and Race Face, it stands out for superior build refinement and consistent on-trail behavior, making it the choice for riders who prioritize longevity and premium feel over marginal weight savings.
Stiff power transfer
Composed cornering
Aerodynamic whisper
Proprietary carbon layup tuned for a balance of light weight, stiffness, and impact resistance.
Tubeless-compatible rim profile engineered for predictable tire behavior and traction.
Stiff power transfer
Composed cornering
Aerodynamic whisper
Proprietary carbon layup tuned for a balance of light weight, stiffness, and impact resistance.
Tubeless-compatible rim profile engineered for predictable tire behavior and traction.
$2,300-3,100 CAD
Roval Control SL
Roval Control SL brings Specialized’s in-house race-focused development to mountain cross-country wheelsets, offering a lightweight, highly tuned package that benefits from frame-level integration knowledge. It competes closely with the DT Swiss for race performance while typically undercutting ENVE on price, positioning it as an attractive option for riders seeking near top-tier performance with a stronger price-to-performance balance.
Climb-focused lightness
Confident handling
Climb-focused lightness
Confident handling
Review Summary
"The Roval Control SL is favored for lively handling, predictable ride quality and strong value relative to boutique rivals; some riders report durability limits under very aggressive use and occasional hub maintenance needs."
Race-ready grin
Shallow, lightweight rim profile that prioritizes quick steering and nimble handling.
Race-ready grin
Shallow, lightweight rim profile that prioritizes quick steering and nimble handling.
Enhanced Physical Well-Being
Skill Development & Mastery
Recreational Enjoyment
Roval Control SL brings Specialized’s in-house race-focused development to mountain cross-country wheelsets, offering a lightweight, highly tuned package that benefits from frame-level integration knowledge. It competes closely with the DT Swiss for race performance while typically undercutting ENVE on price, positioning it as an attractive option for riders seeking near top-tier performance with a stronger price-to-performance balance.
Climb-focused lightness
Confident handling
Race-ready grin
Shallow, lightweight rim profile that prioritizes quick steering and nimble handling.
Tubeless-ready design with a focus on low rotating mass for faster accelerations.
Climb-focused lightness
Confident handling
Race-ready grin
Shallow, lightweight rim profile that prioritizes quick steering and nimble handling.
Tubeless-ready design with a focus on low rotating mass for faster accelerations.
$1,300-1,900 CAD
Race Face Next R31
Race Face Next R31 is the value-oriented carbon option for aggressive XC riders looking for a tougher, wider rim profile that tolerates rough trails without sacrificing too much weight. It doesn’t chase the absolute lightest numbers of the XRC 1200 or the boutique finish of ENVE, but its robust layup and lower street price make it a practical choice for riders wanting carbon performance and impact resistance at a more accessible cost.
Bombproof durability
Wide-stability platform
Bombproof durability
Wide-stability platform
Review Summary
"The Race Face Next R31 is commended for impressive torsional stiffness, robust construction and a reliable tubeless bead, making it a go-to for riders who want durability in XC trim; reviewers accept a bit more weight in exchange for toughness."
Impact-tough swagger
Carbon layup engineered for increased durability while keeping weight competitive for XC.
Impact-tough swagger
Carbon layup engineered for increased durability while keeping weight competitive for XC.
Recreational Enjoyment
Skill Development & Mastery
Enhanced Physical Well-Being
Race Face Next R31 is the value-oriented carbon option for aggressive XC riders looking for a tougher, wider rim profile that tolerates rough trails without sacrificing too much weight. It doesn’t chase the absolute lightest numbers of the XRC 1200 or the boutique finish of ENVE, but its robust layup and lower street price make it a practical choice for riders wanting carbon performance and impact resistance at a more accessible cost.
Bombproof durability
Wide-stability platform
Impact-tough swagger
Carbon layup engineered for increased durability while keeping weight competitive for XC.
Wider modern rim profile to support larger XC tires and improve stability on rough trails.
Bombproof durability
Wide-stability platform
Impact-tough swagger
Carbon layup engineered for increased durability while keeping weight competitive for XC.
Wider modern rim profile to support larger XC tires and improve stability on rough trails.
$1,500-2,200 CAD
Stan's NoTubes Podium SRD
Stan's NoTubes Podium SRD is engineered as a practical, tubeless-optimized mountain cross-country carbon wheelset that emphasizes reliable bead seating, easy setup and strong real-world puncture resistance. It trades some razor-sharp race stiffness found in the DT Swiss and Roval units for improved everyday reliability and maintenance convenience, offering a mid-market price and sensible performance for riders who prioritize durability and hassle-free tubeless operation.
Tubeless magic
Fast rolling
Tubeless magic
Fast rolling
Review Summary
"Stan's NoTubes Podium SRD earns high marks for dependable tubeless performance, low rolling resistance and straightforward maintenance, with many users praising its all-round durability; a few note it isn't the absolute lightest wheelset for the price."
Tool-free setup
Race-focused lightweight carbon rim designed around a proven tubeless bead and seal.
Tool-free setup
Race-focused lightweight carbon rim designed around a proven tubeless bead and seal.
Time-Saving Convenience
Recreational Enjoyment
Enhanced Physical Well-Being
Stan's NoTubes Podium SRD is engineered as a practical, tubeless-optimized mountain cross-country carbon wheelset that emphasizes reliable bead seating, easy setup and strong real-world puncture resistance. It trades some razor-sharp race stiffness found in the DT Swiss and Roval units for improved everyday reliability and maintenance convenience, offering a mid-market price and sensible performance for riders who prioritize durability and hassle-free tubeless operation.
Tubeless magic
Fast rolling
Tool-free setup
Race-focused lightweight carbon rim designed around a proven tubeless bead and seal.
Low rotating mass aimed at improving climbing and sprint responsiveness.
Tubeless magic
Fast rolling
Tool-free setup
Race-focused lightweight carbon rim designed around a proven tubeless bead and seal.
Low rotating mass aimed at improving climbing and sprint responsiveness.
$1,000-1,600 CAD