Stan's NoTubes

Arch EX 27.5in Wheelset

The rapidly-evolving world of trail bikes deserves wheels that can keep up, and we can think of few that can do so as well as the Stan's Arch EX 27.5-inch Wheelset, especially at this price.

The Arch EX 27.5-inch Wheelset runs on the new, wider Arch EX rim, which has been optimized for today's larger volume tires and aggressive riding styles. And although the rim has ballooned to a generous 21mm internal width, the wheelset still comes in at under 1700 grams, making these trail-thrashing hoops more than light enough to be competitive at high-level XC races. We think that you'll agree, as this brings the best of both worlds. Stan's NoTubes increased the width of the Arch EX rim as compared to the previous Arch, and it features a redesign of Stan's NoTubes' Bead Socket Technology for an enhanced tire-to-rim seal. In addition to the tubeless benefits, this proprietary technology enhances the rim's durability, making the Arch EX far stronger than its feathery weight would indicate. The sidewalls are now 14% thicker than the prior iteration, further enhancing rigidity and a resilience to dents. You'll also find that Stan's made the EX's spoke bed 33% thicker. So, spoke pull-through is essentially a thing of the past.

The outside-width of the rim has been increased to 24.6mm, and the interior width has also been stretched — reaching out to 21mm. This change not only enhances tire volume and roundness, but it also permits a tighter rim-to-tire seal. Essentially, this attribute bolsters both traction and tire roundness. Meanwhile, the rim width has been followed by a slight tweak to the internal arch's profile, providing even more lateral stiffness. Like the old Arch, Stan's NoTubes uses 6061 aluminum, and it's been drilled for 32 spokes with no eyelets.

The Arch EX rim is laced to a Stan's 3.30 hub set. The hubs house smooth-spinning chromoly cartridge bearings that ride on lightweight 7075 alloy axles. The rear hub body features large, 58mm flanges. Meanwhile, the drive side houses a hardened 30-point engagement ring, while the non-drive side is machined to reduce weight. The front hub also gets a 58mm flange on the disc side in order to stiffen the wheel under hard braking. The freehub is aluminum, and it's compatible with Shimano and SRAM cassettes, with an XX1 driver that's available separately.

The Stan's NoTubes Arch EX 27.5-inch Wheelset is laced with 2.0/1.7/2.0 butted steel spokes and alloy nipples. It comes with Stan's rim tape and valve stems installed for instant use — just add tires, sealant, and air. The front hub ships with a 15mm axle and a 12x142mm rear. Please note that Stan's NoTubes recommend rider weight for these wheels is 230lbs.