The DT Swiss R470 is a market-oriented, reliable aluminum clincher tubeless rim that emphasizes durability and broad compatibility at a competitive price point. It doesn’t pursue the extreme aero or UST certification of higher-end models but offers excellent long-term value for training and commuter builds, making it cheaper to own and easier to replace than premium options like the HED Belgium Plus or Mavic Open Pro UST. For budget-conscious riders who still want tubeless capability without exotic profiles, the R470 balances cost, availability, and proven DT Swiss build quality.
Swiss reliability — polite wink
Everyday durability — workhorse grin
Swiss reliability — polite wink
Everyday durability — workhorse grin
Review Summary
"The DT Swiss R470 is commonly lauded as an affordable, rugged road rim that’s easy to build into dependable wheels; reviewers note it’s heavy compared with newer rims and has limited tubeless convenience. Owners appreciate its value and longevity for commuting and training wheels."
Tubeless-ready convenience — quick nod
Affordable, durable aluminum rim built for regular training and commuting
Tubeless-ready convenience — quick nod
Affordable, durable aluminum rim built for regular training and commuting
Enhanced Physical Well-Being
Time-Saving Convenience
Recreational Enjoyment
The DT Swiss R470 is a market-oriented, reliable aluminum clincher tubeless rim that emphasizes durability and broad compatibility at a competitive price point. It doesn’t pursue the extreme aero or UST certification of higher-end models but offers excellent long-term value for training and commuter builds, making it cheaper to own and easier to replace than premium options like the HED Belgium Plus or Mavic Open Pro UST. For budget-conscious riders who still want tubeless capability without exotic profiles, the R470 balances cost, availability, and proven DT Swiss build quality.
Swiss reliability — polite wink
Everyday durability — workhorse grin
Tubeless-ready convenience — quick nod
Affordable, durable aluminum rim built for regular training and commuting
Available in tubeless-compatible versions for easy conversion
Swiss reliability — polite wink
Everyday durability — workhorse grin
Tubeless-ready convenience — quick nod
Affordable, durable aluminum rim built for regular training and commuting
Available in tubeless-compatible versions for easy conversion
$120-180 USD
HED Belgium Plus brings a performance-oriented, shallow-profile aluminum clincher that emphasizes ride quality and crosswind stability, benefiting riders who want a race-capable rim without the premium price of carbon. Technically it offers a refined rim shape and reinforced brake track that competes well with DT Swiss for stiffness and with Mavic for finished tolerances, while often undercutting them on price for similar ride feel. This model is a strong middle-ground choice for racers who prioritize handling and comfort alongside reliable rim-brake stopping power.
Aero-steady whisper
Wide-tire hug
Aero-steady whisper
Wide-tire hug
Review Summary
"The HED Belgium Plus is widely praised for its comfortable, stiff ride, refined braking and premium build quality; most buyers feel the higher price is justified by the performance and durability."
Race-bred swagger
Aerodynamically profiled aluminum rim tuned for speed on rim-brake bikes.
Race-bred swagger
Aerodynamically profiled aluminum rim tuned for speed on rim-brake bikes.
Enhanced Physical Well-Being
Recreational Enjoyment
HED Belgium Plus brings a performance-oriented, shallow-profile aluminum clincher that emphasizes ride quality and crosswind stability, benefiting riders who want a race-capable rim without the premium price of carbon. Technically it offers a refined rim shape and reinforced brake track that competes well with DT Swiss for stiffness and with Mavic for finished tolerances, while often undercutting them on price for similar ride feel. This model is a strong middle-ground choice for racers who prioritize handling and comfort alongside reliable rim-brake stopping power.
Aero-steady whisper
Wide-tire hug
Race-bred swagger
Aerodynamically profiled aluminum rim tuned for speed on rim-brake bikes.
Reinforced braking surface designed to manage heat under heavy braking.
Aero-steady whisper
Wide-tire hug
Race-bred swagger
Aerodynamically profiled aluminum rim tuned for speed on rim-brake bikes.
Reinforced braking surface designed to manage heat under heavy braking.
$480-650 USD
Velocity Cliffhanger Wheelset
Velocity's Cliffhanger wheelset is a commuter favorite for riders who want a stout, wide aluminum clincher rim that supports wider tires and offers excellent lateral stiffness for urban riding and quick cornering. Financially it sits between budget OEM rims and premium Swiss builds—less costly than DT Swiss but typically more performance-focused than the heaviest durable options like the Rhyno Lite—offering great value for riders prioritizing handling and tire volume.
Rough-road shrug
Wind-stable profile
Rough-road shrug
Wind-stable profile
Review Summary
"Favored for strong, deep-section rims, solid ride quality, and long-term durability on urban bikes; a minority report heavier weight and that final performance can depend on the wheel build quality."
Consistent braking bite
Wider aluminum clincher rim profile that improves comfort and stability on city roads.
Consistent braking bite
Wider aluminum clincher rim profile that improves comfort and stability on city roads.
Enhanced Physical Well-Being
Recreational Enjoyment
Velocity's Cliffhanger wheelset is a commuter favorite for riders who want a stout, wide aluminum clincher rim that supports wider tires and offers excellent lateral stiffness for urban riding and quick cornering. Financially it sits between budget OEM rims and premium Swiss builds—less costly than DT Swiss but typically more performance-focused than the heaviest durable options like the Rhyno Lite—offering great value for riders prioritizing handling and tire volume.
Rough-road shrug
Wind-stable profile
Consistent braking bite
Wider aluminum clincher rim profile that improves comfort and stability on city roads.
Robust alloy build tolerates heavier loads and frequent starts and stops.
Rough-road shrug
Wind-stable profile
Consistent braking bite
Wider aluminum clincher rim profile that improves comfort and stability on city roads.
Robust alloy build tolerates heavier loads and frequent starts and stops.
$300-500 USD
The Velocity A23 is the value benchmark among shallow-profile aluminum clinchers, known for its robust box-section construction and exceptional affordability for wheelbuilders and everyday riders. While it may not match the tubeless refinement or lightweight gains of models like the DT Swiss R460 DB or the Stan's Crest MK4, it delivers reliable long-term serviceability and the best price-to-durability ratio for commuting, touring and budget-focused upgrades.
Bombproof build
Daily workhorse
Bombproof build
Daily workhorse
Review Summary
"Velocity A23 rims get consistent praise for excellent value, reliable true-running and ease of building, making them popular for commuting and mixed-use riding despite not being ultra-light."
Budget-friendly grin
Affordable double-wall aluminum clincher with a classic 23 mm-ish shallow profile for everyday riding.
Budget-friendly grin
Affordable double-wall aluminum clincher with a classic 23 mm-ish shallow profile for everyday riding.
Enhanced Physical Well-Being
Time-Saving Convenience
The Velocity A23 is the value benchmark among shallow-profile aluminum clinchers, known for its robust box-section construction and exceptional affordability for wheelbuilders and everyday riders. While it may not match the tubeless refinement or lightweight gains of models like the DT Swiss R460 DB or the Stan's Crest MK4, it delivers reliable long-term serviceability and the best price-to-durability ratio for commuting, touring and budget-focused upgrades.
Bombproof build
Daily workhorse
Budget-friendly grin
Affordable double-wall aluminum clincher with a classic 23 mm-ish shallow profile for everyday riding.
Lightweight and reliable for budget wheel builds, compatible with a wide range of spokes and hubs.
Bombproof build
Daily workhorse
Budget-friendly grin
Affordable double-wall aluminum clincher with a classic 23 mm-ish shallow profile for everyday riding.
Lightweight and reliable for budget wheel builds, compatible with a wide range of spokes and hubs.
$70-130 USD
The Sun Ringle Rhyno Lite XL is a best-in-class choice for loaded touring thanks to its reinforced double-wall construction and wide profile that prioritizes durability and tire support under heavy loads. It stands out financially as a strong value for long-haul riders — more robust than lighter rims like the Velocity Cliffhanger and more cost-effective for heavy use than premium options such as DT Swiss. Compared with entry-level rims like the Ryde Andra 30, the Rhyno Lite XL favors longevity and serviceability over absolute minimum weight.
Bombproof durability
Wide tyre support
Bombproof durability
Wide tyre support
Review Summary
"Buyers consistently praise the Sun Ringle Rhyno Lite XL for its bombproof durability, wide profile and excellent value for heavy-duty touring or gravel use, though it is heavier than performance-oriented rims."
Tank-like resilience
Double-wall aluminum construction with reinforced eyelets for long-term durability.
Tank-like resilience
Double-wall aluminum construction with reinforced eyelets for long-term durability.
Enhanced Physical Well-Being
Recreational Enjoyment
The Sun Ringle Rhyno Lite XL is a best-in-class choice for loaded touring thanks to its reinforced double-wall construction and wide profile that prioritizes durability and tire support under heavy loads. It stands out financially as a strong value for long-haul riders — more robust than lighter rims like the Velocity Cliffhanger and more cost-effective for heavy use than premium options such as DT Swiss. Compared with entry-level rims like the Ryde Andra 30, the Rhyno Lite XL favors longevity and serviceability over absolute minimum weight.
Bombproof durability
Wide tyre support
Tank-like resilience
Double-wall aluminum construction with reinforced eyelets for long-term durability.
Wider rim profile supports larger touring tires and improves loaded-bike stability.
Bombproof durability
Wide tyre support
Tank-like resilience
Double-wall aluminum construction with reinforced eyelets for long-term durability.
Wider rim profile supports larger touring tires and improves loaded-bike stability.
$140-220 USD
The Open Pro UST marries Mavic's long-running Open Pro heritage with UST-compatible tubeless features, giving cyclocross riders a familiar, bombproof aluminum rim that works well with modern tubeless tires. It stands out for delivering excellent value and traditional rim stiffness at a competitive price compared with HED's wider race-focused section and DT Swiss's more modern tubeless tuning. Financially and technically it is attractive to riders who want proven durability and easy serviceability without paying a premium for boutique refinements.
UST-ready simplicity — retro
Snappy response
UST-ready simplicity — retro
Snappy response
Review Summary
"Riders value the Mavic Open Pro UST for its classic strength, predictable handling and tubeless-ready option, but mention it carries more weight than modern race-focused rims. It’s regarded as a durable, comfortable everyday cyclocross rim with good value."
Timeless robustness — heirloom
Mavic’s UST-compatible box-section alloy rim for straightforward tubeless setup.
Timeless robustness — heirloom
Mavic’s UST-compatible box-section alloy rim for straightforward tubeless setup.
Recreational Enjoyment
Time-Saving Convenience
Skill Development & Mastery
The Open Pro UST marries Mavic's long-running Open Pro heritage with UST-compatible tubeless features, giving cyclocross riders a familiar, bombproof aluminum rim that works well with modern tubeless tires. It stands out for delivering excellent value and traditional rim stiffness at a competitive price compared with HED's wider race-focused section and DT Swiss's more modern tubeless tuning. Financially and technically it is attractive to riders who want proven durability and easy serviceability without paying a premium for boutique refinements.
UST-ready simplicity — retro
Snappy response
Timeless robustness — heirloom
Mavic’s UST-compatible box-section alloy rim for straightforward tubeless setup.
Proven long-term durability with a traditional profile favored by cyclocross racers.
UST-ready simplicity — retro
Snappy response
Timeless robustness — heirloom
Mavic’s UST-compatible box-section alloy rim for straightforward tubeless setup.
Proven long-term durability with a traditional profile favored by cyclocross racers.
$300-700 USD