optimal rim width

What rim width are most of ye running these days?  I finally upgraded to a boost spacing fork so need a new front wheel.  Currently running, don't laugh, 22mm internal width with DHF 2.3.  Ideally want something that works well with 2.5WT DHF or ASSGUY.  Maybe a 2.6.

Am I right in assuming the magic range is 28-35?  If between 30 and 35 internal width which would you go for?

I am not planning on spending a lot on the wheel.  Alloy rim, fairly burly but not a shit tonne heavy.  Perhaps one of the Chromag ones.

My rear will stay at 22mm for a while longer although I'll upgrade that down the road.

Maybe 35mm front and 30mm rear and cushcore in the rear?

Sincerely,

Your mom.

If you believe the internet lore, maxxis WT casings were originally designed around an i35, but then i30 sort of became standard. 

I think either works, it depends on what you want. 

As you'd expect, an i35 will make the tire profile more square and a bit higher volume. 

The cornering lugs will engage sooner which means the tires will roll a little slower and wear a little faster. But, if you don't tend to lean the bike way over when cornering and/or aren't ripping lots of flow trails, it's likely having the cornering knobs be more "accessible" will increase cornering and off camber confidence. The higher volume will allow slightly lower pressures and over reduce trail chatter as well. 

I30 will have a rounder profile. Faster rolling, less "unintentional" engagement/wear on the side knobs, and a more pronounced transition to cornering knob bite when leaning the bike over at speed. 

i like i35 on 27.5 and hardtails, and i30 on full suspension 29ers (they have enough confidence and "steamroller" effect as it is).

Hi Mom,

Around where I am 30mm seems to be the norm these days. There was a push towards wider rims for a while but you are adding more weight for not much (if any) benefit. The DT EX471 is only 25mm and is still highly respected. I'm running EX511 with 2.6" tires. If you were plus-curious I'd go 35mm+ for a 2.8" tire or bigger but not much point going wider with normal tires unless you just have to have a super stiff rim IMHO.

Id go with i30. It seems like i35 is a bit of a width of the past when plus tires were being tried out and most are moving away from them. I have some i28 and i29 wheels that do just fine with widths up to 2.6".

Maxxis says: "WT tires are optimized for a 35mm inner rim width but are proven to work over a range from 30-35mm inner rim widths, depending on the rider’s preference." 

Like the 3 wise men /\ above said though, it seems like they just haven't updated their copy.

30mm, like everyone else, and your Mom.

There's the thought that narrower rims tend to work better, primarily due to the resulting tire shape and that the tire grabs the rim bead better.

https://www.renehersecycles.com/myth-18-wide-tires-need-wide-rims/

I bought Converts - 35mm wide - to run 2.6's on a hardtail. Pushed the sidewalls of my Schwalbes out dead even with the outside edges of the side knobs. Ideal for damage from rock cuts etc. Maybe the "WT" on the Maxis fixes that.

2.6 DHF/DHR looked great on 30mm.

From what i observe both among amateurs and among pro racers, anything from 25mm to 30mm works perfectly fine with modern 2.3-2.5” tyres. Above 30mm, some tyres (e.g. Michelin) start to become very square and some people dislike that.

I run i30mm rims with 2.6" tires and i40-45mm rims with 3" tires. I've run tires on rims that were too narrow or too wide for a given tire and not enjoyed either. Opinions vary on what the optimal rim width is for any given tires so you have to do a bit of trial and error to figure out where you land.

Thanks for all the great responses.  Sounds like I can’t go wrong with 30mm on the hardtail.  

All the best for 2024!

I'm on dual 33mm WAO Convergence Fuse wheels with Octamousse inserts (oct45 strong/black back, oct45 regular/pink front) and it's great. I'm 230lbs and the inserts are absolutely mandatory for me to get good tire performance while not burping all the time. Even if I were lighter I'd still run at least a rear insert. If you're on a hardtail I'd say inserts for sure.

I just run whatever came on the bike, the newest bike i own came with WTB sti30 and they seem to work fine

I'm using 2.5 or 2.6  tires with a 30mm rim in front and a 27mm rear w/insert to get a bit more rolling speed. I do have a set of 35mm rims with 2.6 tires and they do work better on low speed trails where you can't lean over as far but are definitely  slower.