The Syntace rims are now not available as a complete wheel set, but are also available individually in all versions. As usual, the product is advertised with technical vocabulary, with the brochure stating that the rims are welded from specially modified, high-strength aluminum material, mechanically processed in several stages and heat-treated. A stress-reducing, asymmetrical profile design with a sidestep drilling pattern - which corresponds to laterally offset spoke holes - is also attested to the W-Series rims. In terms of weight, the rims can certainly keep up: for example, the W35 MX rim with a width of 35 millimetres in 26 inches weighs a modest 500 grams.

More grip?
Thanks to the wide rims, the manufacturer promises a significant increase in grip on the tire. How is that supposed to work? Mountain bike tires are supposed to sit wider and more directly on the wide rims, with a less pronounced "pear shape" than on narrow rims with a narrow support width that have been standard on the market up to now. The wider rim width considerably reduces the tendency for the tire to tip away at low tire pressure.Speaking of low tire pressure: the wide design of the rim is also the ideal prerequisite for "low pressure riding", especially because the tire carcass is straighter and has more air volume on the rim. The manufacturer promises a whole lot for the "wide-low pressure" combo: more grip, less rolling resistance off-road, higher grip, higher cornering speed as well as more braking traction and a lower risk of snake bites.

Less external rotating mass?
The manufacturer also provides another argument in favor of wide rims: A narrow rim is admittedly lighter than a rim of the same design and quality. However, the narrower rim requires a much heavier tire in order to achieve a similar contact area. If the rim and tire are considered as a single unit, the overall weight of the rotating wheel can be reduced using the principle of "more rim and less tire". And exactly where it has the greatest effect: on the very outside.

In all dimensions
The Syntace W-Series MX rims are available on the market in a wide range of dimensions - in Switzerland from distributor Element Sports: four widths (W25, W30, W35, W40), two numbers of holes (28 and 32) and three diameters, namely 26'', 27.5'' (650B) and 29''.

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