I wanted some DT EXC 400 hoops but they only had one hoop in stock, so the LBS got some DT EXC1550. We stripped them and I put in some hadleys and super comp spokes. The hoops weighed in at 387grams.
The thing is, these are stiffer than freeride rims that weight 2.5times more. So, they are light on the outside where it counts - acceleration is great.
The stiffness has me hitting harder lines faster. I can hold wilder lines in corners for better exit speed. In flowing S corners, the direction change is another world - this I love the most, it is so glorious and so pleasurable to ride. In the rough, it is some more controlled it's like cheating or adding another 1/2 of travel, the stability is noticably improved.
Then there are the two wheel drifts, so stiff they are the best for drifts as they don't flex you off your drift or line. Stupid fun
You wont believe me, but you wont know how much AL rims do it until you try.
When pushing hard, you can real feel the end of the grip. I've had a few front slips with my new extra speed, but you can read them and when they are bigger I have actually ridden them out (the front doesn't tuck under and spit you, you hold on and the stiff wheel drives out of it). They are more telepathic.
IMO with AL rims you get more deflection. Sure, better quality ones limit that. But the carbon rims don't play the game at all. This is why you can doing amazing things with lines. And when the surface is tacky and grippy, I can pull tighter lines at whim almost - it's the feel you get with the tire.
Jumps are great. Landing don't 'boing' as much, it just gets on with the business of rolling again. Hitting logs and jumping fine. Rock gardens fine.
Expensive, yes. Now I have them, they are worth every penny. Roadies know about wheels and spend heaps on them, us mtb guys are on a learning curve.
Sure I was worried about exploding them when I started. But I have been bashing them hard and I am more than happy with them.
Go for it.
