DT Swiss 1400 OXIC -- 21 or 32mm depth? SF Bay Area mixed terrain riding

[slowpoke]

Might be overthinking this, but I'm entertaining the idea of picking up some DT Swiss Oxic rim brake wheels for mixed riding.

Planned riding is probably 60% road, 40% dirt (nothing too crazy, Headlands fireroads, Stage Coach, maaaybe Coastal View descent).

I've always ridden low profile rims, but should I try out 32mm "deep" rims?

Thanks!

[robertbb]

Unless you're heavy and/or powerful, not really worth going from 21 to 35mm depth. The only difference (assuming the internal and external diameters are the same) will be in how stiff the rim is.

If the hub, spoke count, spoke type and spoke pattern are the same then it's possible the stiffer rim will actually overpower the spokes more than the shallower rim, causing more flex and brake rub (counterintuitive I know but if I understand right, that's how it works)

If it's for "aero gainz", then forget it. You need to go pretty deep (like well into the 40's) to get any free speed.

Really, really good wheelset the Oxic!

[jwalther]

Those are really nice wheels. However, I would not recommend ceramic coated rims for use off road. Dirt and grime will wear the ceramic track in no time.

[fredd]

Originally Posted by robertbb

If it's for "aero gainz", then forget it. You need to go pretty deep (like well into the 40's) to get any free speed.

That is not true
https://novemberbicycles.com/blogs/b...d-other-alloys

[KonaSS]

Originally Posted by fredd

That is not true
https://novemberbicycles.com/blogs/b...d-other-alloys

100% agree. With the right shape, wheels shallower than 40 can provide an aero advantage. It is not like a light switch where you just build a wheel great than 40 and the aero kicks in. It is a spectrum.

That said, I don't know about any testing for these rims.

[slowpoke]

Originally Posted by jwalther

However, I would not recommend ceramic coated rims for use off road. Dirt and grime will wear the ceramic track in no time.

That's good to know, thanks!

[kingpin75s]

Originally Posted by robertbb

Unless you're heavy and/or powerful, not really worth going from 21 to 35mm depth. The only difference (assuming the internal and external diameters are the same) will be in how stiff the rim is.

If the hub, spoke count, spoke type and spoke pattern are the same then it's possible the stiffer rim will actually overpower the spokes more than the shallower rim, causing more flex and brake rub (counterintuitive I know but if I understand right, that's how it works)

Agreed on the first point and my understanding as well on the second.