[407bikes]

Hey all, I want to replace the stock i30 Giant AM wheels that came on my son's Fathom hardtail. He's 12 and 110lbs. This his all-around bike for flow trails, jump lines and racing during the NICA season. Found a great deal on some I9 245 Trail wheels with Torch hubs. Narrow by today's standards, but with his weight I was thinking that rim width might actually make more sense than a 27mm or 30mm. And from I've read the 245 trails are fairly light and strong (and cheap compared to a new 1/1 or hyrdra trail s buld). Is my thinking off?

Not married to the I9 wheelset either - more insterested if you think a 24.5/25mm width is wide enough for a light 5.2" rider - would likely run some lighter 2.3 tires.

 

[cassieno]

As a 185-200lb rider who rode i9 245s with i25s you don't have anything to worry about. I ran 2.3-2.4 tires on them and never had an issue. I eventually replaced them because I wanted to and I got a couple dings running too low pressures without inserts. But they are still find and in my garage and work very well.

I rode them for 2 years and never had an issue. I am on i30/i28 carbon rims now and don't really notice a difference with the tires I run. I think I can get away with lower pressures - but I also always run inserts now.

 

[Cary]

Just remember, soon he will be 160 pounds and riding faster. I made the mistake one time of buying a wheelset that was perfect for my son at the time. We had to nurse them through the end of the next season as he was bigger and faster then.

 

[Mike Aswell]

Also if you run tires that are an inappropriate profile for the rim it alters shape and performance.

So rim width decision should be more about the width tire you want to run than your weight. Weight would impact things like material, spoke count etc. IMO.

 

[jeremy3220]

What's wrong with the OE wheelset? Too heavy?

 

[407bikes]

Also if you run tires that are an inappropriate profile for the rim it alters shape and performance.

So rim width decision should be more about the width tire you want to run than your weight. Weight would impact things like material, spoke count etc. IMO.

That makes sense, and it's part of what I'm contemplating. The narrower rim would mean running narrower tires - 2.25-2.3, which, I think, is probably a better choice for him for the next couple of years. Weight savings (at a practical price point) is part of it - narrower rim also equals narrower lighter tires. I'm no weight weenie, but I think for the little guys it makes a difference.

 

[407bikes]

What's wrong with the OE wheelset? Too heavy?

Yeah, 2250-2300 grams.

 

[407bikes]

What's wrong with the OE wheelset? Too heavy?

Yeah, 2250-2300 grams.

 

[jeremy3220]

Yeah, 2250-2300 grams.

Ok, yeah going to an i27 rim with a 2.2-2.3 tire should be perfect.

 

[Cary]

Yeah, 2250-2300 grams.

Ouch, that is a lot of weight.