Does anyone still make a 26" narrow rim?
 

Hi there,

Believe it or not, I'm running two 26-er rigid steel mountainbike frames. One of them is 9 speed. Sure, practically a museum piece, I get it.

Anyway, they're both on Mavic XM719 disc-only rims, which have an internal diameter of 19mm. I run narrow tyres as I'm mostly riding on pavement.

The rear rim on one is cracked, and I'm having a hell of a job finding a replacement. The XM719 is long gone, and Mavic and a whole host of the other suspects don't appear to make anything in 26" with a narrow profile of approximately 20mm internal / 24mm external.

Any suggestions? 26" rims specifically, please — I'd like to avoid ordering a 27.5-compatible frame and wheels under the current conditions.

Cheers.

> EDIT <
Whoops, I may have just found one: Alexrims list their MD19 at 26″ 559X19.

I swear I've been searching since yesterday. Obviously not on the Alexrims website ....

Any other suggestions welcome, though. Cheers!

How about the Velocity A23? It was considered a "wide" rim for 700C wheels, but is still on the narrow/light side for 26": https://www.velocityusa.com/product/rims/a23-559

There's also the Dyad, if you want a wider brake track and are not as concerned about weight: https://www.velocityusa.com/product/rims/dyad-26

Welcome to BF, by the way. :thumb:

Thanks for the suggestion, Scott. Looks like you replied just as I was editing my post to point out the 719s are disc-only, and I'd prefer to keep it that way, if only for aesthetic reasons.

Some interesting options on the Velocity website, though. Cheers.

Maybe also just look out for used MTBs with wheels in good shape or just used wheels? With disc wheels, you don't have to worry about brake surfaces being worn down, so it's just a question of still being true and having a hub in decent condition. And there were a lot of disc brake bikes sold 10-15 yrs ago with narrow rims, many of which probably didn't get heavily used. My 2008 Rockhopper disc has Alex rims that are 17mm.

Have you looked on eBay?

There are new XM719 rims listed but they are 36 hole, which may not be what you are looking for.

My advice is to look up the ERD of your 719 and find a disc rim, possibly a different Mavic with the same ERD and just move your hub over to the new rim.

John

Hi John, and thanks.

The hub is a Hope 32-holer.

I did take a look on eBay and found a single pair of the Mavics in Melbourne (I'm in Sydney, Australia) but after asking for some photos of the actual stock, rather than the generic found-on-the-web picture on the listing, well, they looked a bit shop worn. Actually it surprises me that there'd be any new 719s around at all, I get the impression they were discontinued some years ago. I bought mine in 2012 / 13. Lots of reports of counterfeit stock on eBay, but copying a mid-level discontinued rim seems an odd thing to do, so perhaps they're legit.

In any case, my current thinking is to move on to something like the DT Swiss EX 417. Similar ERD (537 to the XM 719's 539) but a wider profile at 25mm internal, and not much heavier. I'll have to get them from Germany, but at least they're available. TBH I kinda like the look of the DT Swiss XM 401 but can't find it anywhere in 26", even though the manufacturer lists it on their website.

Cheers.

Thanks AG. Good idea, I should start keeping an eye out for anything worth scavenging.