DT EX 5.1 vs Stans ZTR Flow wheels

Stoo61

In the market for a new set of wheels and these get a great review on this website.

http://www.bikeradar.com/gear/category/components/wheel-sets/product/proiidt-ex-51-9841

Are the mainly for XC?

Was wondering if anyone has any experience of them. Also, do people know where they are cheapest, Evans have the pair for £250 but do price match so would obviously like to take advantage of that. Cheers. [/url]

coxy17

i have theese wheels i think they are pretty light and really strong
i have rode them around cannock coed y brenin and around my local trail
their still 100% true and no dings or dents
the hubs are super cool i love the noise
there a good wheelset for the money and you cant go wrong with hope

sniper68

I have a pro2 rear and Spesh front hub on DTSwiss EX500 rims(the 5.1 successor) and ride the rough stuff in the Peak District/Lake District and they've been faultless.I'm 13.5 stone and give them some hammer 8)

Anonymous

im sure i remember seeing some 5.1 rims on an atherton dh bike once upon a time, this suggests they can take some stick to me.

i have a set of hope hoops coprising of the pro2 and 5.1 rims and then are nice wheels, i hate the noise out of them but i like to confidence they give me, they feel bomb proof.

oh, im about 19 odd stone and they hold me up plenty well.

ride_whenever

They can't, most dt rims are pretty soft.

Go for stans rims instead.

Anonymous

i didnt have any trouble with any of the spesh dt swiss 420sl rims either (apart fromt them being narrow) maybe ive been lucky with them.

ooh, one thing, it is a monumental struggle to get tyres on and off those 5.1 rims!!

warrerj

How big are you? For XC the 5.1 or EX500 as they are now are a bit heavy for a normal size rider. I'm a pie loving, beer drinking lard a55 (14.5st) and have been ridign mine for 3.5 years and they still run true. They've doen loads of trail centeres and 3 trips to the Alps.

For XC I'd go for the 4.2 (or EX400 I think they are now) OR as I'll be doing this week go for stans Arch and go tubless. For XC they reccommend the Crest but the Arch is still light and stronger.

Stoo61

I'm 13 stone, 6 ft.

So for the money are they generally near the top of the list?

Anonymous

i like mine.

weescott

Best value tried and tested wheels on the market. Period!. I have been using the 5.1D rims since they came out. 2005/2006. Seen the odd bit of DH, and had plenty of rock strikes. They are AM rims. Give 2.4" tyres a nice profile. The hubs are good. Can be used for XC to DH. Damn noisy. They are easy to work on and take some serious abuse. Great hubs.

Stoo61

I think the hubs are grand, i'm now wondering whether Stans ZTR Flow rims would be better than the DT 5.1's.....both can be got for roughly the same price.

slowslowslow

had mine about a month and love them. They handle well, and have improved my speed and confidence. they will take plenty of stick.

i am 13.5 stone. Went for the DT 5.2 rims. Stans seem to be popular and get good reviews.

don't think you would regret getting some.

CraigXXL

I got some Hope Stan Flows last week but not had chance to ride them yet so can't report on them yet. I went for the Flows over 721 due to weight and 5.1 because so many reports of them been weak. Have a search for Stan Flow reviews and it's more praising than slating.
If you do go for the Flows I had a real problem getting hold of some as I was informed time and time again that Stans UK distributor is naff as wheel builders are having problems getting the rims too. In the end I was able to pick them at Stif's for £265 delivered.

Stoo61

CraigXXL wrote:

I got some Hope Stan Flows last week but not had chance to ride them yet so can't report on them yet. I went for the Flows over 721 due to weight and 5.1 because so many reports of them been weak. Have a search for Stan Flow reviews and it's more praising than slating.
If you do go for the Flows I had a real problem getting hold of some as I was informed time and time again that Stans UK distributor is naff as wheel builders are having problems getting the rims too. In the end I was able to pick them at Stif's for £265 delivered.

Chainreaction seem to think the will have them in stock by the end of the month....but do they just say that sort of thing? Will have a look at Stifs aswell then.

Also, are you saying that they may be poorly built by UK distributors? As in, good components poorly assembled?

I think I would put them on the bike and put the bike in for a good all over service which it is due anyway and they would make sure everything is tight and true etc.

dynamis_dk

I've also been using the 5.1's on Pro2 for about 6 months on a XC bike - everything from local woods to Lee Quarry most recently. Never had an issue with them running nice and true. I'm 6 foot 105kg so i got them to be save and i'm very glad i did

CraigXXL

Stoo61 wrote:

CraigXXL wrote:

I got some Hope Stan Flows last week but not had chance to ride them yet so can't report on them yet. I went for the Flows over 721 due to weight and 5.1 because so many reports of them been weak. Have a search for Stan Flow reviews and it's more praising than slating.
If you do go for the Flows I had a real problem getting hold of some as I was informed time and time again that Stans UK distributor is naff as wheel builders are having problems getting the rims too. In the end I was able to pick them at Stif's for £265 delivered.

Chainreaction seem to think the will have them in stock by the end of the month....but do they just say that sort of thing? Will have a look at Stifs aswell then.

Also, are you saying that they may be poorly built by UK distributors? As in, good components poorly assembled?

I think I would put them on the bike and put the bike in for a good all over service which it is due anyway and they would make sure everything is tight and true etc.

The build quality is very good, the problem is rim availability to build the wheels with

jairaj

Stans Flow is a strong rim used by many freeriders and dowhillers.

For strong all mountain strength go for Stans Arch

For strong XC /All mountain lite go for Stans Crest

For lighter XC go for Stan's Alpine.

Saying that Hope Hoops built with Stans Flow come in at a very good weight similar to many all mountain wheel sets but should be stronger. ~1800g I think.

Best choice for XC is Hope Hoops with Stans' Crest rims.

Stoo61

jairaj wrote:

Stans Flow is a strong rim used by many freeriders and dowhillers.

For strong all mountain strength go for Stans Arch

For strong XC /All mountain lite go for Stans Crest

For lighter XC go for Stan's Alpine.

Saying that Hope Hoops built with Stans Flow come in at a very good weight similar to many all mountain wheel sets but should be stronger. ~1800g I think.

Best choice for XC is Hope Hoops with Stans' Crest rims.

Does it make a difference when i'm on a 100mm upfront hardtail? WHY MORE OPTIONS!!! ARGH!!

I ride wild trails and trail centres, some ridiculously rocky descents and equally rocky climbs.

jairaj

surely it doesn't matter what bike it, just what type of riding you're going to do with it?

Keep it simple and look at the 2 Hope Hoop options, Crest or Flows:
If you're a reasonable weight and not too heavy and intend to XC and trail centres then the Hope Hoops with Crest should be fine.

If you are on the heavier side or intend to ride harder eg do some downhill too then Hope Hoops with Stans Flow should be fine as they still come in at very reasonable weight.

I think you can get a set of Hope Hoops for around £250 maybe less if you shop around?

Or complicate things slightly and go for a full custom build and take your exact choice of rim. Personally I went for a superstar build as they were the only people who had Stans Crest rims in stock at the time. Very happy with the build so far.

Stoo61

Right....i'm going to buy a front ZTR Flow at the end of the month and a rear later well in time for spring.

Decision based on riding style, weight of me and rims and general good reviews throughout.

Incidently in this months Mountain Bike UK magazine there is a Yeti 303 DH Factory Team edition bike with DT Swiss EX500 rims on it....can't be weak.