The Race Face AR30 is a tubeless-ready alloy trail wheelset aimed at riders who want a wide, stiff rim platform for modern tires at a reasonable price point. It sits between budget-focused options like the DT Swiss M1900 and the higher-spec Stan's Flow MK4, offering a competitive street price while delivering strong lateral stiffness and a wide internal width for traction-focused setups. Financially it appeals to riders who want modern geometry and durability without the premium cost of top-tier alloy or carbon systems.
Stiff yet lively
Tubeless ready
Stiff yet lively
Tubeless ready
Review Summary
"Riders like the AR30 for its stiff, well-built rims and tubeless reliability that deliver confidence on trails, while some mention it's heavier than comparable options and paint/chipping can be an issue."
Rowdy grin
30mm internal-width tubeless-ready alloy rims tuned for responsive trail handling.
Rowdy grin
30mm internal-width tubeless-ready alloy rims tuned for responsive trail handling.
Recreational Enjoyment
Skill Development & Mastery
The Race Face AR30 is a tubeless-ready alloy trail wheelset aimed at riders who want a wide, stiff rim platform for modern tires at a reasonable price point. It sits between budget-focused options like the DT Swiss M1900 and the higher-spec Stan's Flow MK4, offering a competitive street price while delivering strong lateral stiffness and a wide internal width for traction-focused setups. Financially it appeals to riders who want modern geometry and durability without the premium cost of top-tier alloy or carbon systems.
Stiff yet lively
Tubeless ready
Rowdy grin
30mm internal-width tubeless-ready alloy rims tuned for responsive trail handling.
Reinforced bead and sidewall construction for improved dent and impact protection.
Stiff yet lively
Tubeless ready
Rowdy grin
30mm internal-width tubeless-ready alloy rims tuned for responsive trail handling.
Reinforced bead and sidewall construction for improved dent and impact protection.
$500-700 CAD
Race Face Aeffect R Boost Wheelset is a budget-focused, welded-alloy trail wheelset built for riders who prioritize ruggedness and a low purchase price over the lightest weight or highest-end hub tech. It stands out as the most cost-effective Boost-spaced alloy option in this list, providing trail-capable strength that undercuts DT Swiss and Stan’s on price while sacrificing the premium hub performance and service features found on Industry Nine and Hope.
Tubeless-ready traction
Stiff race-ready feel
Tubeless-ready traction
Stiff race-ready feel
Review Summary
"The Race Face Aeffect R Boost is praised for being a stiff, tubeless-ready cost-effective trail wheelset that performs solidly under abuse, though some riders note extra weight and occasional hub service needs. Most owners say it delivers strong value for aggressive trail use but isn’t as refined as higher-end options."
Trail-grin punch
Cost-effective alloy construction tuned for everyday trail abuse.
Trail-grin punch
Cost-effective alloy construction tuned for everyday trail abuse.
Recreational Enjoyment
Enhanced Physical Well-Being
Skill Development & Mastery
Race Face Aeffect R Boost Wheelset is a budget-focused, welded-alloy trail wheelset built for riders who prioritize ruggedness and a low purchase price over the lightest weight or highest-end hub tech. It stands out as the most cost-effective Boost-spaced alloy option in this list, providing trail-capable strength that undercuts DT Swiss and Stan’s on price while sacrificing the premium hub performance and service features found on Industry Nine and Hope.
Tubeless-ready traction
Stiff race-ready feel
Trail-grin punch
Cost-effective alloy construction tuned for everyday trail abuse.
Wider rim profile to support modern tire volumes and improve sidewall stability.
Tubeless-ready traction
Stiff race-ready feel
Trail-grin punch
Cost-effective alloy construction tuned for everyday trail abuse.
Wider rim profile to support modern tire volumes and improve sidewall stability.
$350-500 CAD
The Race Face Aeffect R30 is a cost-conscious, wide-section alloy wheelset designed for modern trail tyres and straightforward tubed use, offering an attractive balance of stiffness and value. It competes with DT Swiss on affordability but brings a wider rim profile for improved tyre support, making it a smart budget alternative for riders who want a more contemporary tyre footprint without paying for Shimano’s higher-performance hubs or Stan’s tubeless-optimized engineering.
Aggressive trail grip
Affordable performance boost
Aggressive trail grip
Affordable performance boost
Review Summary
"The Race Face Aeffect R30 is appreciated for its toughness and value—built to take hard use—while reviewers commonly mention its extra weight and occasional need for truing or bearing service."
Built-to-bash toughness
30mm internal width alloy rims offering a cost-effective platform for modern trail tyres.
Built-to-bash toughness
30mm internal width alloy rims offering a cost-effective platform for modern trail tyres.
Recreational Enjoyment
Time-Saving Convenience
The Race Face Aeffect R30 is a cost-conscious, wide-section alloy wheelset designed for modern trail tyres and straightforward tubed use, offering an attractive balance of stiffness and value. It competes with DT Swiss on affordability but brings a wider rim profile for improved tyre support, making it a smart budget alternative for riders who want a more contemporary tyre footprint without paying for Shimano’s higher-performance hubs or Stan’s tubeless-optimized engineering.
Aggressive trail grip
Affordable performance boost
Built-to-bash toughness
30mm internal width alloy rims offering a cost-effective platform for modern trail tyres.
Durable construction and straightforward build for easy maintenance and inner tube use.
Aggressive trail grip
Affordable performance boost
Built-to-bash toughness
30mm internal width alloy rims offering a cost-effective platform for modern trail tyres.
Durable construction and straightforward build for easy maintenance and inner tube use.
$450-600 CAD
Race Face ARC 30 29 is a market leader among alloy trail rims for riders prioritizing a lightweight rim profile and agile handling without stepping up to expensive carbon, making it a good midweight alternative to the heavier DT Swiss M1900. Technically it competes by offering a refined alloy layup that trims rotational mass and often undercuts boutique hubs on price while still supporting modern tubeless setups and wider tires for trail performance.
Featherlight stiffness
Corner-grip confidence — shark-fin
Featherlight stiffness
Corner-grip confidence — shark-fin
Review Summary
"Light, stiff 30mm alloy trail wheelset that delivers confident handling and easy tubeless setup; reviewers like the performance-to-price ratio though a minority report rim dings under very aggressive use."
Snappy response
30mm inner-width alloy rim tuned for modern 29-inch tires to improve handling and traction
Snappy response
30mm inner-width alloy rim tuned for modern 29-inch tires to improve handling and traction
Recreational Enjoyment
Skill Development & Mastery
Enhanced Physical Well-Being
Race Face ARC 30 29 is a market leader among alloy trail rims for riders prioritizing a lightweight rim profile and agile handling without stepping up to expensive carbon, making it a good midweight alternative to the heavier DT Swiss M1900. Technically it competes by offering a refined alloy layup that trims rotational mass and often undercuts boutique hubs on price while still supporting modern tubeless setups and wider tires for trail performance.
Featherlight stiffness
Corner-grip confidence — shark-fin
Snappy response
30mm inner-width alloy rim tuned for modern 29-inch tires to improve handling and traction
Tubeless-ready bead design with reinforced spoke bed for aggressive trail riding
Featherlight stiffness
Corner-grip confidence — shark-fin
Snappy response
30mm inner-width alloy rim tuned for modern 29-inch tires to improve handling and traction
Tubeless-ready bead design with reinforced spoke bed for aggressive trail riding
$500-700 CAD
The Aeffect R 27.5 targets aggressive trail riders with a wider, impact-resistant rim profile and tubeless-ready bead design that balances stiffness and affordability for 27.5 setups. It competes on trail-focused rim geometry and modern internal width, delivering a more contemporary rim shape than the M1900 at a similar or slightly lower price point, while undercutting boutique hub costs from Industry Nine and Hope.
Wide-profile control
Bombproof alloy strength
Wide-profile control
Bombproof alloy strength
Review Summary
"Well-regarded budget-to-mid-range trail wheelset offering good stiffness and durability for the price; some users report it feels heavier and the hubs are less refined than premium rivals."
Enduro-grin maker
Cost-effective 6061 alloy rim construction that balances weight and durability for trail use.
Enduro-grin maker
Cost-effective 6061 alloy rim construction that balances weight and durability for trail use.
Recreational Enjoyment
Enhanced Physical Well-Being
Skill Development & Mastery
The Aeffect R 27.5 targets aggressive trail riders with a wider, impact-resistant rim profile and tubeless-ready bead design that balances stiffness and affordability for 27.5 setups. It competes on trail-focused rim geometry and modern internal width, delivering a more contemporary rim shape than the M1900 at a similar or slightly lower price point, while undercutting boutique hub costs from Industry Nine and Hope.
Wide-profile control
Bombproof alloy strength
Enduro-grin maker
Cost-effective 6061 alloy rim construction that balances weight and durability for trail use.
Tubeless-ready bead design with reinforced spoke bed for improved longevity.
Wide-profile control
Bombproof alloy strength
Enduro-grin maker
Cost-effective 6061 alloy rim construction that balances weight and durability for trail use.
Tubeless-ready bead design with reinforced spoke bed for improved longevity.
$300-400 CAD
Race Face's Aeffect R 30 positions itself as the best-in-class value choice for wide rim alloy trail wheelsets, pairing a stout 30mm inner-width rim with durable, simple hubs at a much lower price than premium alternatives. While it's heavier and less refined than offerings like the DT Swiss M1900 or Stan's Flow MK4, its low cost, ease of repair, and toughness make it ideal for riders on a tight budget or those who frequently take hard impacts.
Budget burly charm
Wide-platform confidence
Budget burly charm
Wide-platform confidence
Review Summary
"Good-value, stiff and strong trail wheels that hold up to hard use; buyers note the weight and less-refined hubs compared with higher-end sets and occasional creaks."
Aggro-styling wink
30 mm internal width gives a wide tire profile for stability and traction on trails.
Aggro-styling wink
30 mm internal width gives a wide tire profile for stability and traction on trails.
Recreational Enjoyment
Enhanced Physical Well-Being
Race Face's Aeffect R 30 positions itself as the best-in-class value choice for wide rim alloy trail wheelsets, pairing a stout 30mm inner-width rim with durable, simple hubs at a much lower price than premium alternatives. While it's heavier and less refined than offerings like the DT Swiss M1900 or Stan's Flow MK4, its low cost, ease of repair, and toughness make it ideal for riders on a tight budget or those who frequently take hard impacts.
Budget burly charm
Wide-platform confidence
Aggro-styling wink
30 mm internal width gives a wide tire profile for stability and traction on trails.
TCS-compatible tubeless-ready rim with durable 6061/6069 alloy construction.
Budget burly charm
Wide-platform confidence
Aggro-styling wink
30 mm internal width gives a wide tire profile for stability and traction on trails.
TCS-compatible tubeless-ready rim with durable 6061/6069 alloy construction.
$350-450 CAD