Stan's NoTubes Grail S1
The Stan's NoTubes Grail S1 is engineered specifically for tubeless reliability, with a bead and internal profile that favors fast, repeatable sealing with sealant and easy tire seating—making it a best-in-class pick for riders who want low-maintenance tubeless performance on aluminum rims. It often costs more than bare-bones alloy rims but offers fewer flats and less hands-on maintenance than non-optimized designs like the Velocity A23 or DT Swiss R470, and its tubeless-focused engineering can rival or surpass the UST approach of the Mavic Open Pro UST for everyday sealing reliability. For road riders converting to tubeless for puncture resistance and comfort, the Grail S1 is a technically optimized, long-term value despite a higher upfront price.
Gravel traction — muddy grin
Sealant-friendly bead — Stan's wink
Gravel traction — muddy grin
Sealant-friendly bead — Stan's wink
Review Summary
"Stan's NoTubes Grail S1 is widely praised for effortless tubeless setup, excellent airtightness and a light, compliant ride that performs well on gravel and road. Long-term users report reliable durability and minimal maintenance, making it a market-leading tubeless choice."
Light trail toughness — smile
Designed specifically to improve tubeless sealing and reduce burping
Light trail toughness — smile
Designed specifically to improve tubeless sealing and reduce burping
Recreational Enjoyment
Enhanced Physical Well-Being
Skill Development & Mastery
The Stan's NoTubes Grail S1 is engineered specifically for tubeless reliability, with a bead and internal profile that favors fast, repeatable sealing with sealant and easy tire seating—making it a best-in-class pick for riders who want low-maintenance tubeless performance on aluminum rims. It often costs more than bare-bones alloy rims but offers fewer flats and less hands-on maintenance than non-optimized designs like the Velocity A23 or DT Swiss R470, and its tubeless-focused engineering can rival or surpass the UST approach of the Mavic Open Pro UST for everyday sealing reliability. For road riders converting to tubeless for puncture resistance and comfort, the Grail S1 is a technically optimized, long-term value despite a higher upfront price.
Gravel traction — muddy grin
Sealant-friendly bead — Stan's wink
Light trail toughness — smile
Designed specifically to improve tubeless sealing and reduce burping
Internal shape and bead profile balance airtightness with easy tire installation
Gravel traction — muddy grin
Sealant-friendly bead — Stan's wink
Light trail toughness — smile
Designed specifically to improve tubeless sealing and reduce burping
Internal shape and bead profile balance airtightness with easy tire installation
$220-320 USD
HED Ardennes Plus LT earns a best-in-class spot for combining a modern aerodynamic rim profile with a wide, tubeless-ready bed and lightweight alloy construction, giving it an excellent stiffness-to-weight ratio for aggressive road riding. Compared with the others on this list it often represents a strong value for riders seeking race-capable aerodynamics without the premium price of Swiss or French marques, while offering slightly more compliance than the stiffest DT Swiss or Fulcrum options.
Aero-efficient profile
Comfy tubeless compliance
Aero-efficient profile
Comfy tubeless compliance
Review Summary
"Long-term users praise the Ardennes Plus LT for its robust aluminum construction, comfortable ride and reliable tubeless sealing, noting strong aerodynamic performance for an alloy rim. Some buyers mention the premium price but overwhelmingly cite excellent durability and low maintenance."
Burly alloy grin
Deep-section aerodynamic rim profile for sustained high-speed stability.
Burly alloy grin
Deep-section aerodynamic rim profile for sustained high-speed stability.
Enhanced Physical Well-Being
Skill Development & Mastery
HED Ardennes Plus LT earns a best-in-class spot for combining a modern aerodynamic rim profile with a wide, tubeless-ready bed and lightweight alloy construction, giving it an excellent stiffness-to-weight ratio for aggressive road riding. Compared with the others on this list it often represents a strong value for riders seeking race-capable aerodynamics without the premium price of Swiss or French marques, while offering slightly more compliance than the stiffest DT Swiss or Fulcrum options.
Aero-efficient profile
Comfy tubeless compliance
Burly alloy grin
Deep-section aerodynamic rim profile for sustained high-speed stability.
Tubeless-ready clincher design with wide internal width for modern tyres.
Aero-efficient profile
Comfy tubeless compliance
Burly alloy grin
Deep-section aerodynamic rim profile for sustained high-speed stability.
Tubeless-ready clincher design with wide internal width for modern tyres.
$1000-1400 USD
Velocity Quill is a pragmatic, value-oriented endurance road aluminum clincher tubeless rim favored by custom wheelbuilders and riders who want a tough, repairable rim at a lower outlay. Technically it stands out for a range of internal widths and predictable fatigue life, offering a significant financial advantage over branded factory wheelsets because you can build wheels tailored to load and riding style. Compared with branded complete wheels, Quill provides a cost-efficient path to a tubeless-ready endurance setup without compromising on the basic performance and serviceability you need for long-distance riding.
Bulletproof rim
Crosswind steady
Bulletproof rim
Crosswind steady
Review Summary
"Good-value tubeless-ready alloy rim noted for robustness and straightforward tubeless setup; some users mention it feels heavier and less aerodynamic than higher-end rims."
Old-school charisma
Cost-effective tubeless-ready aluminum rim built for durability on rougher roads.
Old-school charisma
Cost-effective tubeless-ready aluminum rim built for durability on rougher roads.
Recreational Enjoyment
Skill Development & Mastery
Velocity Quill is a pragmatic, value-oriented endurance road aluminum clincher tubeless rim favored by custom wheelbuilders and riders who want a tough, repairable rim at a lower outlay. Technically it stands out for a range of internal widths and predictable fatigue life, offering a significant financial advantage over branded factory wheelsets because you can build wheels tailored to load and riding style. Compared with branded complete wheels, Quill provides a cost-efficient path to a tubeless-ready endurance setup without compromising on the basic performance and serviceability you need for long-distance riding.
Bulletproof rim
Crosswind steady
Old-school charisma
Cost-effective tubeless-ready aluminum rim built for durability on rougher roads.
Proven, simple rim shape that easily accepts wider endurance tyres for added comfort.
Bulletproof rim
Crosswind steady
Old-school charisma
Cost-effective tubeless-ready aluminum rim built for durability on rougher roads.
Proven, simple rim shape that easily accepts wider endurance tyres for added comfort.
$600-900 USD
The Grail CB7 leverages Stan's tubeless expertise with a rim profile and bead/socket design tuned for exceptional sealing, low rolling weight and reliable tubeless performance with sealant—making it a standout for riders who want the most trouble-free tubeless setup. It typically offers better out-of-the-box tubeless reliability and lighter weight than many aluminum rivals, though it may not match the heavy-duty longevity or global service network of DT Swiss. Compared to HED and Mavic, Stan's is more explicitly optimized around tubeless performance rather than aerodynamic or broad-market compromises.
Proven tubeless
Low-pressure grip
Proven tubeless
Low-pressure grip
Review Summary
"Reviewers appreciate Stan's NoTubes Grail CB7 for excellent tubeless sealing, low weight and a lively ride on long gravel routes. Downsides cited include a higher price and a firmer ride compared with some alloy alternatives."
Sealant-friendly grin
Engineered specifically for tubeless use with a bead design focused on airtight sealing.
Sealant-friendly grin
Engineered specifically for tubeless use with a bead design focused on airtight sealing.
Recreational Enjoyment
Time-Saving Convenience
Eco-Friendly Living
The Grail CB7 leverages Stan's tubeless expertise with a rim profile and bead/socket design tuned for exceptional sealing, low rolling weight and reliable tubeless performance with sealant—making it a standout for riders who want the most trouble-free tubeless setup. It typically offers better out-of-the-box tubeless reliability and lighter weight than many aluminum rivals, though it may not match the heavy-duty longevity or global service network of DT Swiss. Compared to HED and Mavic, Stan's is more explicitly optimized around tubeless performance rather than aerodynamic or broad-market compromises.
Proven tubeless
Low-pressure grip
Sealant-friendly grin
Engineered specifically for tubeless use with a bead design focused on airtight sealing.
Durable alloy rim profile that balances comfort, traction, and speed on gravel.
Proven tubeless
Low-pressure grip
Sealant-friendly grin
Engineered specifically for tubeless use with a bead design focused on airtight sealing.
Durable alloy rim profile that balances comfort, traction, and speed on gravel.
$700-950 USD
The Easton EA90 AX provides a pragmatic blend of light weight, durability and affordability for XC riders who need a dependable tubeless clincher without frills. It competes closely with Stan's on cost-effectiveness but leans more toward a race-oriented rim profile than some value models, giving riders a cost-efficient middle ground between entry-level rims and the highest-performance DT Swiss and Mavic offerings.
Value-packed durability
Predictable tracking
Value-packed durability
Predictable tracking
Review Summary
"Users appreciate the Easton EA90 AX for its balance of weight, stiffness, and reliable tubeless setup at a competitive price, with reports of solid long-term durability for XC and light trail use; a minority mention it lacks the absolute refinement of higher-end carbon rims. Overall it’s viewed as a strong value alloy option."
All-day comfort
Reliable aluminum tubeless clincher offering a strong, cost‑effective platform for XC builds.
All-day comfort
Reliable aluminum tubeless clincher offering a strong, cost‑effective platform for XC builds.
Enhanced Physical Well-Being
Recreational Enjoyment
Time-Saving Convenience
The Easton EA90 AX provides a pragmatic blend of light weight, durability and affordability for XC riders who need a dependable tubeless clincher without frills. It competes closely with Stan's on cost-effectiveness but leans more toward a race-oriented rim profile than some value models, giving riders a cost-efficient middle ground between entry-level rims and the highest-performance DT Swiss and Mavic offerings.
Value-packed durability
Predictable tracking
All-day comfort
Reliable aluminum tubeless clincher offering a strong, cost‑effective platform for XC builds.
Balanced internal width supports common XC tire sizes while improving stability and grip.
Value-packed durability
Predictable tracking
All-day comfort
Reliable aluminum tubeless clincher offering a strong, cost‑effective platform for XC builds.
Balanced internal width supports common XC tire sizes while improving stability and grip.
$180-260 USD
Stan's NoTubes Flow EX3
The Stan's NoTubes Flow EX3 emphasizes tubeless performance and tire seating with Stan's proven bead geometry and sealed rim-bed technology, making it a top pick for riders who prioritize airtight setup and easy maintenance on trail and enduro rigs. Compared to the more budget-oriented WTB KOM Tough i30 and the heavier, damping-focused Spank Vibrocore, the Flow EX3 sits between premium tubeless reliability and enduro-grade toughness, often saving riders time and expense on sealant top-ups and reseating issues.
Impact-taming ride
Seamless tubeless setup
Impact-taming ride
Seamless tubeless setup
Review Summary
"Stan’s NoTubes Flow EX3 is consistently commended for near-bulletproof durability, outstanding tubeless sealing and a stout spoke bed for aggressive enduro and e‑MTB riding; it’s heavier than race-focused rims but highly reliable."
Bead-hold wizard
Aluminum tubeless-specific rim bed designed to improve bead hold and reduce pinch flats.
Bead-hold wizard
Aluminum tubeless-specific rim bed designed to improve bead hold and reduce pinch flats.
Recreational Enjoyment
Time-Saving Convenience
The Stan's NoTubes Flow EX3 emphasizes tubeless performance and tire seating with Stan's proven bead geometry and sealed rim-bed technology, making it a top pick for riders who prioritize airtight setup and easy maintenance on trail and enduro rigs. Compared to the more budget-oriented WTB KOM Tough i30 and the heavier, damping-focused Spank Vibrocore, the Flow EX3 sits between premium tubeless reliability and enduro-grade toughness, often saving riders time and expense on sealant top-ups and reseating issues.
Impact-taming ride
Seamless tubeless setup
Bead-hold wizard
Aluminum tubeless-specific rim bed designed to improve bead hold and reduce pinch flats.
Reinforced sidewalls for added resilience on rough trail and enduro terrain.
Impact-taming ride
Seamless tubeless setup
Bead-hold wizard
Aluminum tubeless-specific rim bed designed to improve bead hold and reduce pinch flats.
Reinforced sidewalls for added resilience on rough trail and enduro terrain.
$250-350 USD
The Mulefut 80 SL V2 stands out for its very wide profile engineered for fat-tire e-bike applications, delivering exceptional traction and stability where very large-volume tires are needed. It’s a niche technical solution that is typically more affordable than premium European rims like the DT Swiss while offering a capability other rims here don’t match, although it’s heavier and less versatile for narrower-tire e-bike builds.
Mule-tough build — refuses dents
Optimized rim width — tire-snug
Mule-tough build — refuses dents
Optimized rim width — tire-snug
Review Summary
"Riders appreciate the Sun Ringle Mulefut 80 SL V2 for its bombproof construction, wide profile and strong value for e‑bike and heavy‑duty trail use; some mention the weight and that it’s not the lightest option. It’s widely regarded as a dependable workhorse rim."
Tubeless-friendly design — sealant-ready
Extra‑wide profile built for fat‑bike or very large-volume e‑bike tires and strong sidewall support.
Tubeless-friendly design — sealant-ready
Extra‑wide profile built for fat‑bike or very large-volume e‑bike tires and strong sidewall support.
Recreational Enjoyment
Time-Saving Convenience
Enhanced Physical Well-Being
The Mulefut 80 SL V2 stands out for its very wide profile engineered for fat-tire e-bike applications, delivering exceptional traction and stability where very large-volume tires are needed. It’s a niche technical solution that is typically more affordable than premium European rims like the DT Swiss while offering a capability other rims here don’t match, although it’s heavier and less versatile for narrower-tire e-bike builds.
Mule-tough build — refuses dents
Optimized rim width — tire-snug
Tubeless-friendly design — sealant-ready
Extra‑wide profile built for fat‑bike or very large-volume e‑bike tires and strong sidewall support.
Tubeless‑ready clincher design with secure bead retention for aggressive riding.
Mule-tough build — refuses dents
Optimized rim width — tire-snug
Tubeless-friendly design — sealant-ready
Extra‑wide profile built for fat‑bike or very large-volume e‑bike tires and strong sidewall support.
Tubeless‑ready clincher design with secure bead retention for aggressive riding.
$260-380 USD