Published by Tristan on 26 May 2008 at 11:40 am
Kinlin XR-270 rims have arrived
I had a small shipment of Kinlin XR-270 rims arrive today. These rims are the little-brother to the XR-300, aka “Niobium 30″ rims which have been very popular and have proven to be a versatile, stiff and durable rim.
The XR-300′s are 29.9mm deep and average 460 grams each (true weight) whereas the XR-270′s are 27.2mm deep and my shipment averaged 448 grams. Visually they’re almost identical and they look good as a ‘mismatched pair.’
My thinking behind this rim is that for lighter riders it will work well as a front and rear rim, or medium weight riders can use it as a front rim when paired with a XR-300 rear. For heavier riders, cyclocross and super durable training wheels then the XR-300 will stay as my preferred rim. I’ve got stock in 20, 24 and 28 hole.
(Edit July 2010.) Testing with my lateral stiffness jig and 2 years of building with these rims has shown that the XR-270 has virtually the same lateral stiffness as the XR-300 and as a result I use the XR-270 for most purposes.
I’ll be building a pair of these in the next few days and I’ll post some photos of the complete wheelset (and the nice Bianchi they’ll be attached to)
For more info the Kinlin rims have a look at Tech Info on the Kinlin Range of Rims
XR300 (left) and XR270 (right)
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JB on 03 Sep 2008 at 5:52 am #
Besides negligible weight savings, Why use the 270 when the 300 is more aerodynamic?
Nice pics
Tristan on 03 Sep 2008 at 8:12 am #
Negligible weight savings :-) The 270 isn’t as stiff as the 300 so in a lot of cases I use it as a front rim and pair it to a rear XR-300, or for lighter riders use it as both a front and a rear. For heavier riders I’ll almost always use the XR-300.
On top of spoke count and type of spoke it’s another option that can be adjusted to suit the weight and lateral stiffness of a wheel. From the testing I’ve done I know how these options affect the stiffness of the wheel so I can fine-tune what the wheel will feel like.
Jarrod on 01 Apr 2009 at 8:36 pm #
Could you please tell me what weight ranges you define as light and heavy. I am 79kg.