Mountain Biking - recomend reasonably light rims?

Im looking to build another wheelset, except this time geared totally toward XC so i would like it light. Can somebody recomend a reasonably light weight but not too too weak rim

Mavic XC717. Best for XC.....

Yea, ive been looking at those. YOur probably right

Sun DS-2 are holding up pretty well.

From what I can tell, the XC-717's with WTB Laserdisc hubs and butted spokes is about the lightest wheelset you can find.. Under 1500g for the set. :)

I had a set of Sun DS-2 and destroyed them in a few short rides. Then again, I'm a Clydesdale and probably shouldn't have been using them in the first place.

Big boys don't need to be riding superlight XC rims. ;) You're a mod, you should know this! lol

My Bf has been running his set for a few seasons and he is back down to 170lbs. I figure if he can play on them then my measly 125 can. We did both have problems with initial build quality from jenson, but once we tensioned properly they have been solid.
On a funny but beasty note: I used to race on Mammoth rims. I know they say those wiegh a ton at 700 g(DS-2 are 440) but they were solid!

My Bf has been running his set for a few seasons and he is back down to 170lbs. I figure if he can play on them then my measly 125 can. We did both have problems with initial build quality from jenson, but once we tensioned properly they have been solid.
On a funny but beasty note: I used to race on Mammoth rims. I know they say those wiegh a ton at 700 g(DS-2 are 440) but they were solid!

You can go too light on rims and I am not knocking the Mavic rims, as I use the X517's with Rim brakes. These rims have served me well for at least 7 years, and my only problem has been the brake area getting a bit thin after 18-24 months use. Only point I want to make is that I went up to an X618 (Slightly heavier) on my last set of wheels and I could feel the difference on the riding. I did not realise it but the 517's do flex with aggressive riding. I am not heavy, around 150llbs so use the heavier rims on the more aggressive terrain. On the build front, get a good wheelbuilder to build the wheels.

(I know I am talking Rim Brake Rims, but there must be equivalents on Disc Versions)

Well i am not looking for super light, i mean i run disc brakes and i plan on using them. I might look at the 717's. THey have a disc specific version so that might be something of interest. As for hubs i dont know, maybe DT swiss onyx.

Sun DS-2 are holding up pretty well.

im 200 pounds and agree these things hold up well. Ive had mine over a year of nasty riding and heavy cross country(3' jumps,too many crashes to name,etc.) and only had to true them once.I was 220+ when I got them. the beaings are still in good shape too(Shim deore525). I got them @ Jenson USA for $90+ s/h. they still had some at Christmas. A2 you are the man buddy. I bet on my best day I couldnt tear up stuff half as good as you. Im not agressive enough I guess

Yeah mine were the same jenson deal :)

mavic 517...light and affordable and are stronger than...than...i cant think of anything right now, but they're really strong.

anything by alexi, its all i use

anything by alexi, its all i use
Apparently you've never tried anything else. Alex rims suck in my experience

I've always considered Alex to be lower end cheap stuff for people who can't afford mavics.. :p

The newer higher end stuff from Alex is pretty nice. Stateside though Alex isn't as well know, so manuf. tend to only sped their products on cheaper bikes. They not too bad a rim.

However, I'm still a Mavic fan. This is due to my years of wheelbuilding. Mavic rims were always round and true before lacing. THis made the lacing process and even spoke tension a breeze. Other rims would be slightly out of round and as you were building the rim you had to pay attention or you'd end up with uneven spoke tension. With Mavic's the only time this happened is if they were damaged in shipping.

Sun never gave me anything to complain about in my builds, but they are a ton cheaper.