Mountain Biking - opinions/suggestions on rim-strong XC

So I have/had Mavic 36h 220 rims for quite some time(machined, eyelets, built with straight 14g spokes, and aluminum nipples(or steel?), labeled 559X17; I assume thats 17mm inside rim dimention) and have been happy with them, they stayed true and took a fair beating on my full rigid.
But, I slammed the rear down quite hard in a moderately high speed endo causing it to go about 1/2 inch out of true.(still ridable, as it clears the frame, but the brake hits it) And I just noticed the joint seam isn't nice anymore either(non welded)

I may be upgradeing to a new bike next year and I'm cheap(optimum price to performance, not always lowest price)
So, I would like to lace a new rim on the old hub and if possible(probably not) save the old spokes, which means 36 hole.

I like strong more than light, but it is still an XC machine.

I tried to do a bit of research but all the makers fill their websites with flash, dazzle, and worthless madeup marketing words, so for real info, or at least some opinions, I turn to you bikeforums gang.

I have found the following 36h XC rims, what do you think of them, any you think I should add?

Mavic: XM 317, XC 717(no ceramic, thats 32h only) and XM 719. Mavic's website is a heap of steaming poo.
Sun: 0-degree XC(eyelets, welded), and the trusty CR18
Alex: EST20 (welded, offset)
Velocity: synergy(offset), mountain goat, aeroheat, cliffhanger(stronger and 4mm wider areoheat)

How light is light? Less than 600g?

I run 32 hole mavic 517 ( 717 predecessor) on the rear and 717 on the front of one rigid one speeds.

They take a good pounding and are light. Light and strong, light and strong. I have never had an issue with them being weak, except in my mind when I first got them. It took me a few rides to really trust them as I thought they might me too light for my own good.

Now price, that is another story. But, you are not going to get something with the strength / weight characteristics of those rims for cheap. And of course, usage over time is the number one variable when it comes to “value.”


In my opinion, lightish is 450g or less

I wouldn't turn my nose up at a 500g rim, if it is strong and not to pricey. 550 grams would need to be very strong(for an all mountain/XC), stiff, hold its true, and be fairly low cost.
I don't need ceramic coated super long life, as I may very well get a whole new bike in a year or two.

What do you all think of slightly wider rims, do they tighten up the handling much?

My vote goes out for the Sun 0 XC. I simply love that rim. It's one of the few things in this world that's cheap, light and strong. In the world of rims, Sun is one that I trust highly... possibly even higher than Mavic.

So I have/had Mavic 36h 220 rims for quite some time(machined, eyelets, built with straight 14g spokes, and aluminum nipples(or steel?), labeled 559X17; I assume thats 17mm inside rim dimention) and have been happy with them, they stayed true and took a fair beating on my full rigid.
But, I slammed the rear down quite hard in a moderately high speed endo causing it to go about 1/2 inch out of true.(still ridable, as it clears the frame, but the brake hits it) And I just noticed the joint seam isn't nice anymore either(non welded)

I may be upgradeing to a new bike next year and I'm cheap(optimum price to performance, not always lowest price)
So, I would like to lace a new rim on the old hub and if possible(probably not) save the old spokes, which means 36 hole.

I like strong more than light, but it is still an XC machine.

I tried to do a bit of research but all the makers fill their websites with flash, dazzle, and worthless madeup marketing words, so for real info, or at least some opinions, I turn to you bikeforums gang.

I have found the following 36h XC rims, what do you think of them, any you think I should add?

Mavic: XM 317, XC 717(no ceramic, thats 32h only) and XM 719. Mavic's website is a heap of steaming poo.
Sun: 0-degree XC(eyelets, welded), and the trusty CR18
Alex: EST20 (welded, offset)
Velocity: synergy(offset), mountain goat, aeroheat, cliffhanger(stronger and 4mm wider areoheat)
Sun DS-1 :D

Has anyone ever used the Alex EST20 or any of those Velocity rims? (synergy, mountain goat, aeroheat, cliffhanger)

The Sun zero-degree is looking good.
I am crossing off mavic due to the fact that there website is crap(always has been) and I like to support the little[er] guys anyway.

[Edit to add] Will a kind and friendly moderator please change the title from "opinions/suggestions on rim-strong XC" to "Opinions/suggestions on rims: strong XC."