JayP

Going from the Surly 65mm rims to the Vicious 80mm rims only shows a gain of ~10mm to the mounted up Endomorph tire. This might not sound like a lot but everything adds up and the shape that it produces is also a plus as it fills the tire out a bit more and does not produce such a round tire, if that makes sense, therefor giving you a flatter more stable tire for snow. I see these rims as a great upgrade, they are also single wall with the spoke bed area being thicker to handle the tension.

I will drill these guys out to lighten them up too. I have drilled all the different Large Marge rims and I must say it is'nt as straight forward as one might think. The double wall with the ribs in it makes for some crafty drilling and good use of a dremmel tool. With the Graceful Fat Sheba rim being single wall I see this being a much easier task. Per the websites it states the Sheba would be 260 grams heavier with no modifications, once drilled I see them being barely heavier if at all and if they are it is barley a penalty for what is gained.

 

The upgrade to the rims this year is something I am excited about but the frame that they will be going on will be even a bigger upgrade!! Can you tell I am getting excited about snow bike season.