Tech

Stan’s NoTubes updates Crest, Arch and Flow wheelsets

By Press Office · 32 comments

Stan’s NoTubes is excited to announce new lighter, wider versions of their popular Crest, Arch, and Flow rims and wheelsets. The new Mark 3 series rims feature a more durable 6069 aluminium alloy and a wider, lower profile design that maximizes tire volume without distorting a tire’s shape. The Crest MK3, Arch MK3 and Flow MK3 wheelsets will include Stan’s faster­ engaging and more durable CNC machined Neo hubs. The MK3 series will rely on Stan’s patented Bead Socket Technology (BST), the tubeless rim shape trusted by riders and racers around the world.

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Despite being wider than previous models, the Crest MK3 and Flow MK3 rims are now even lighter. The Arch MK3, which sees the greatest increase in width, was kept at nearly the same weight as the previous Arch EX rim. The 6069 alloy and a rim shape that increases lateral stiffness for improved handling. Tubeless setup and maintenance remain as easy as ever.

WideRight

One of the earliest advocates for the stability of wider rims, Stan’s NoTubes believes the pendulum has officially swung too far. “The shape of the tire on the rim is so important,” says company President and Chief Engineer, Mike Bush, “and a lot of rims out there are too wide to work with the tires we’re all using. Stretching a tire beyond its intended shape causes problems when leaning into corners and forces you to run higher air pressures to keep impacts from damaging the rim or pinch flatting the tire.” Stan’s WideRight concept was developed to find the optimal rim width for the most common tire sizes. “It took a lot of testing,” says Bush, “but our new rims offer the best balance between stability and tire shape.”

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Crest MK3

Even lower profile, the new Crest MK3 adds 2mm of internal width while dropping weight for faster acceleration and climbing, making it an excellent choice for lightweight, tubeless cross country performance. The new Crest MK3’s constantly tapering rim shape is engineered to be stronger while increasing tire volume for less rolling resistance and more stability.

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Like all Stan’s NoTubes ZTR wheelsets, the Crest MK3 features patented Bead Socket Technology (BST). Refined over the past 15 years and proven with countless cross country and endurance wins, BST continues to be the standard by which all tubeless systems are judged.

Crest MK3 rims will be offered in 24­inch, 26­inch, 27.5­inch, and 29­inch sizes and in both 28­hole and 32­hole drilling. MSRP of the rim is $100. Wheelsets will be offered in a wide variety of axle configurations, including Boost and Cannondale Lefty, with an MSRP of $679. A SRAM Predictive Steering option will also be available for $825 MSRP.

Arch MK3

The new Arch MK3 has seen the most drastic evolution. Mean, but still lean, the Arch MK3 is 24% wider, with virtually no weight increase from its predecessor. Based on input from our Enduro World Series teams, Stan’s NoTubes pushed the Arch MK3’s internal rim width out to 26mm for maximum tire stability and volume while keeping the rim itself incredibly light (only 425g for the 27.5” rim).

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With a lower rim profile and stronger 6069 alloy, the Arch MK3 also sees a 25% increase in lateral stiffness for improved tracking and cornering precision. Featuring Bead Socket Technology, the new Arch MK3 also offers the tubeless traction, control and reliability only found on genuine Stan’s NoTubes rims.

MSRP for the Arch MK3 rim is $100, and rims will be offered in 26­inch, 27.5­inch, and 29­inch sizes. Both 28­hole and 32­hole drilling options are available. Wheelsets will be offered in a wide variety of axle configurations, including Boost and Cannondale Lefty, with an MSRP of $679. A SRAM Predictive Steering option will also be available for $825 MSRP.

Flow MK3

With proven success on the Downhill World Cup circuit, the legendary Flow was one of the most capable trail and all­-mountain rims ever made. The new Flow MK3 goes bigger and better in every way.

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Nearly 4mm wider, the Flow MK3’s 29mm internal rim width offers the perfect balance of tire sidewall stability and volume for tires up to 2.8” wide. A more durable 6069­series alloy and lower profile rim also make this the toughest Flow ever made.

But stronger doesn’t mean heavier. Optimized rim shape and a stronger alloy also let the Flow MK3 weigh in 30g less than even the narrower Flow EX.

Born and bred for control at speed and on technical trails, the new Flow MK3 also features patented Bead Socket Technology, for easy tubeless setup and maximum reliability.

Flow MK3 rims will be offered in 26­inch, 27.5­inch, and 29­inch sizes with 32­hole drilling and an MSRP of $100. Wheelsets will be offered in a wide variety of axle configurations and an MSRP of $679.

Local Availability

The new rims and wheelsets will start arriving from July onwards. Initial supply will be limited as Stan’s NoTubes increase their stock levels in the USA.

Pricing will be similar to current versions but Rand / Dollar fluctuations will play a bigger part.

Comments

arendoog

Apr 18, 2016, 2:05 PM

New Crests already on 2016  Rocky mountain bikes

Cyklon

Apr 18, 2016, 2:07 PM

Fonts so wide it looks like ENVE when your moving .... :whistling:

SCD

Apr 18, 2016, 6:21 PM

Ride a Hope hub and you'll see just how slow the engagement is on the AC's...  :whistling:

 

Warning: Highjack on:

I had Hope/Archs and now ACWLs, since about 6000km.

While you have to watch the WLs rims for their sensitivity to impact damage I think the hubs are great. Super light and no issue at all to date. Still the first set of bearings.

I notice the engagement being slower but I always tried to understand the impact of it and why it seems to be so upsetting to many. I could see negative impact in trial type riding or very technical climbing but we don't really have this a lot here (Grabow babyheads climbs are not technical in this context...). So I am curious...?

HJ off.

 

P.S.: Good to see Stans progressing. Great products at the forefront of technology, always keeping sense to things...:)

NGUTF

Apr 25, 2016, 6:32 AM

Warning: Highjack on:

I had Hope/Archs and now ACWLs, since about 6000km.

While you have to watch the WLs rims for their sensitivity to impact damage I think the hubs are great. Super light and no issue at all to date. Still the first set of bearings.

I notice the engagement being slower but I always tried to understand the impact of it and why it seems to be so upsetting to many. I could see negative impact in trial type riding or very technical climbing but we don't really have this a lot here (Grabow babyheads climbs are not technical in this context...). So I am curious...?

HJ off.

 

P.S.: Good to see Stans progressing. Great products at the forefront of technology, always keeping sense to things... :)

 

So you didn't mention which you prefer if you had to take a set to the grave with you for the after life??

nick_the_wheelbuilder

Apr 25, 2016, 6:39 AM

I love ZTR rims but.....The new Stans rims will sell for about R500 more than an equivalent (weight, width) rim from Spank or WTB which are easily as strong.

 

I've built loads of Spanks and WTB's onto various hubs and they're great. If you're not prepared to wait for the new Mk3 rims to arrive and are looking for an alternative, consider the WTB KOM, Frequency and Spank offerings.

RockCoach

Apr 27, 2016, 4:46 AM

I can't tell you how many destroyed Stans rims (Crest and Arch) I've seen in the shop. Guys don't realise they have weight limits. Build over onto similar weight WTB Frequency or Spank and problem solved.

 

Have seen only one broken WTB Frequency rim in that time.

GSNieP

Jul 11, 2016, 9:17 AM

Anyone know who in Gauteng has stock of the new Crest Mk3 rims that can build me a new wheel set with Hope 4 hubs  ?

txz201

Jul 11, 2016, 9:37 AM

Anyone know who in Gauteng has stock of the new Crest Mk3 rims that can build me a new wheel set with Hope 4 hubs  ?

 Try Mikes Bikes in Greenside, recently built me a new Mk3 Crest rim on the back as I cracked the previous one.

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