I wish someone would answer your question. I have similar dilemma: building a Ripley, plan to run 2.3-2.4 width tires. WAO recommends their Faction rim, the Union's even smaller (and a little lighter) sibling. The weigh difference doesn't really matter to me but with all the fuss about wide rims the Faction seems narrow. But I do realize it really isn't narrow but traditional standards.

 

Well it took awhile to get my Unions but man oh man the wait was well worth it. Went for my first ride yesterday and this bike and wheel set are a game changer for me. The bike because it's so stable and the wheels because they roll so fast. It's like you know the wheels are there doing their job but your not really aware of it. They seemed to just float along the trail. I know the Onyx silent hubs play a large part in that. I love the silent rear hub, now I can hear how my bike is reacting with the trail. And that instant engagement is so awesome. Never going back.
So a few notes about the Union rims.
WeAreOne has incredible customer service. With numerous emails and texts they walked this newbie wheel builder through everything . Even the colour and style of decals I wanted.
The wheels are just simply beautiful.
I mounted my Maxxis Mimion DHR 2 and Maxxis Assegai with my fingers and pumped them up with my floor pump. Easy peasy.
With no Stan's the front tire lost some air overnight, the rear went a week then I put Stan's in them.
Thumbs up to WAO I'm already thinking of my next wheel set.
Cheers
Dan View attachment 1926215 View attachment 1926215

 

Some folks have mentioned “spongy” engagement with the Onyx hubs. Have you noticed that at all?

 

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Some folks have mentioned "spongy" engagement with the Onyx hubs. Have you noticed that at all?

Well as mentioned it was my first ride on this wheel set. Where I really noticed the hubs was that when I got into a situation where I needed a quick ratchet to get up on or over obstacles. The seemingly instant engagement really helped in those situations. Was it spongy, I don't know. I do know it was better than anything I've ridden so far. Time will tell and I'll try to remember to repost after a dozen or so rides.

On another note a few years ago my wife and I went to Crank Works at Whistler. While there we took advantage of some of the demo booths. In particular I9 wheel sets. Three of us bolted on their rear wheels and went for a ride, which is something I'd dreamed about for a long time. I can still remember going around a sharp rooty corner and leaning my bike over too far but a micro quick ratchet allowed me to power back upright. Was amazing. However on the down side for me was that when we where all costing leisurely down the trail we couldn't hear each other talk. Way too loud. It really doesn't matter on the trail but coasting home with friends or down to the pub, well we do chat a bit.
Cheers
Dan

 

I went from 39mm internal to 30mm and much prefer the narrower rims for MaxxIs 2.4/2.5 rubber. The 39mm rims created a very square profile which had a lot less traction on off-camber slopes and roots. Would likely be ok on 2.6 and above but I’m not a fan of the balloon rubber