# Need advice choosing the internal width of my 29'er wheels **URL:** \ **Category:** Equipment\ **Tags:** wheels\ **Created:** [February 18, 2021, 4:41pm UTC](https://www.trainerroad.com/forum/t/need-advice-choosing-the-internal-width-of-my-29er-wheels/53548 "2021-02-18T16:41:11Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 12\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Jkauffman](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/trainerroad/forum/user_avatar/www.trainerroad.com/jkauffman/32/129534_2.png) [@Jkauffman](https://www.trainerroad.com/forum/u/Jkauffman)\ **Post date:** [February 18, 2021, 4:41pm UTC](https://www.trainerroad.com/forum/t/need-advice-choosing-the-internal-width-of-my-29er-wheels/53548/1 "2021-02-18T16:41:11Z")
i’m building up my Ripley and it is my first time with a 29’er. My last bike was 27.5 plus (rode 2.6 and 2.8). I have a choice between rims that are 29 internal or 35 internal width. It seems like 2.2-2.5 would be a sweetspot for me in terms of tire width So i’m trying to figure out which Rim would be best. I was told the 35 works with 2.3-2.8; width 29 works with 2-2.6. i’m confused which Rim would be best…i’m an intermediate Mt biker, I ride New England roots and rocks BUT like to climb and do some endurance rides/races. ---
**Author:** ![jwellford](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/trainerroad/forum/user_avatar/www.trainerroad.com/jwellford/32/62300_2.png) [@jwellford](https://www.trainerroad.com/forum/u/jwellford)\ **Post date:** [February 18, 2021, 5:01pm UTC](https://www.trainerroad.com/forum/t/need-advice-choosing-the-internal-width-of-my-29er-wheels/53548/2 "2021-02-18T17:01:34Z")
You’ll be totally happy with either. But this doesn’t help you! I’d pick 35: perfect for 2.4 to 2.6, which are the sizes I’d consider on a Ripley. ---
**Author:** ![Jonathan](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/trainerroad/forum/user_avatar/www.trainerroad.com/jonathan/32/15_2.png) [@Jonathan](https://www.trainerroad.com/forum/u/Jonathan)\ **Post date:** [February 18, 2021, 5:12pm UTC](https://www.trainerroad.com/forum/t/need-advice-choosing-the-internal-width-of-my-29er-wheels/53548/3 "2021-02-18T17:12:27Z")
Paging Ripley owner @BryceLewis. Any insight on this, Bryce? ---
**Author:** ![DaveWh](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/trainerroad/forum/user_avatar/www.trainerroad.com/davewh/32/13120_2.png) [@DaveWh](https://www.trainerroad.com/forum/u/DaveWh)\ **Post date:** [February 18, 2021, 5:33pm UTC](https://www.trainerroad.com/forum/t/need-advice-choosing-the-internal-width-of-my-29er-wheels/53548/4 "2021-02-18T17:33:40Z")
Seems like 35mm rims are overkill for a bike like the Ripley. Unless you are a heavy rider and/or plan to ride aggressively on chunky terrain. 29 or 30mm internal seems to be the way most downcountry bikes are going these days. FWIW, I have 24mm rims on my 2017 Trek Fuel. DT Swiss XMC1200 carbon. These wheels are very light and plenty stiff. The one downside of the narrower rims is tires don’t set up as wide. Most XC tires these days seem to be specced for 29 or 30mm rims. So will measure a true 2.4” on a 30mm rim. But measure 2.3” or so on my 24s. And on a 35, will measure wider, maybe 2.5” or so. ---
**Author:** ![Jkauffman](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/trainerroad/forum/user_avatar/www.trainerroad.com/jkauffman/32/129534_2.png) [@Jkauffman](https://www.trainerroad.com/forum/u/Jkauffman)\ **Post date:** [February 18, 2021, 6:30pm UTC](https://www.trainerroad.com/forum/t/need-advice-choosing-the-internal-width-of-my-29er-wheels/53548/5 "2021-02-18T18:30:20Z")
thank you Jonathan! ---
**Author:** ![BS605](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/trainerroad/forum/user_avatar/www.trainerroad.com/bs605/32/27734_2.png) [@BS605](https://www.trainerroad.com/forum/u/BS605)\ **Post date:** [February 18, 2021, 6:49pm UTC](https://www.trainerroad.com/forum/t/need-advice-choosing-the-internal-width-of-my-29er-wheels/53548/7 "2021-02-18T18:49:39Z")
I’m running the carbon version of the Ibis 35mm IW wheel on my Ripmo AF. I bought them as a total experiment to decide if wider really is better. I absolutely love them and would never go narrower on my big bike, I can get away with super low pressures without dinging rims and have more traction than I know what to do with. That being said, I don’t think those wheels would be ideal if you drop below 2.4" wide tires. with the maxxis WT designated tires you would probably be good. It really depends on what your ride dream is, if you want to smash rocks and have all the traction, for sure go 35mm. If I was outfitting my XC race rig, I would go with the 28, but if this is your only bike and will be your trail bike and race bike, I think you would be happy with the 35mm. I have two coworkers w/ V4 Ripleys w/ the 35mm and they both love them. My boss mounted up some 2.4 Rekons and rode it in the Dakota Five O 50 mile MTB race no problem. Especially if you are coming off of a 27.5 +, I think you will love the mega volume and inherent grip of a 35mm internal width 29er! ---
**Author:** ![BS605](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/trainerroad/forum/user_avatar/www.trainerroad.com/bs605/32/27734_2.png) [@BS605](https://www.trainerroad.com/forum/u/BS605)\ **Post date:** [February 18, 2021, 7:04pm UTC](https://www.trainerroad.com/forum/t/need-advice-choosing-the-internal-width-of-my-29er-wheels/53548/8 "2021-02-18T19:04:44Z")
Also, if you can afford it, go for the carbon. I am blown away with the weight and ride quality. I opted for an aluminum frame Ripmo so that I could spend the savings on Carbon wheels, gotta optimize the value! 1650 grams for a burly 29er wheelset is bonkers! They also have a 7 year no questions asked warranty and I have already had a few cringeworthy impacts that the wheels shrugged off no problem. ---
**Author:** ![Jkauffman](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/trainerroad/forum/user_avatar/www.trainerroad.com/jkauffman/32/129534_2.png) [@Jkauffman](https://www.trainerroad.com/forum/u/Jkauffman)\ **Post date:** [February 20, 2021, 1:29pm UTC](https://www.trainerroad.com/forum/t/need-advice-choosing-the-internal-width-of-my-29er-wheels/53548/9 "2021-02-20T13:29:06Z")
do you think the 35 is better then the 30 for a 2.4? ---
**Author:** ![DaveWh](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/trainerroad/forum/user_avatar/www.trainerroad.com/davewh/32/13120_2.png) [@DaveWh](https://www.trainerroad.com/forum/u/DaveWh)\ **Post date:** [February 20, 2021, 1:53pm UTC](https://www.trainerroad.com/forum/t/need-advice-choosing-the-internal-width-of-my-29er-wheels/53548/10 "2021-02-20T13:53:10Z")
Good article here: > **[What's the Perfect Rim Width for MTB, Road & Gravel?](https://www.theproscloset.com/blogs/news/best-bike-rim-width)** > > Is there an ideal rim width for MTB, road, gravel, and other applications? I asked wheel experts from ENVE, Stan’s NoTubes, and Industry Nine why wider internal rim widths are better. Your question wasn’t directed to me, but IMO, if you plan to run 2.4” tires, 30mm makes more sense. ---
**Author:** ![jwellford](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/trainerroad/forum/user_avatar/www.trainerroad.com/jwellford/32/62300_2.png) [@jwellford](https://www.trainerroad.com/forum/u/jwellford)\ **Post date:** [February 20, 2021, 3:39pm UTC](https://www.trainerroad.com/forum/t/need-advice-choosing-the-internal-width-of-my-29er-wheels/53548/11 "2021-02-20T15:39:56Z")
> [@Jkauffman](#): > > do you think the 35 is better then the 30 for a 2.4? No, 30-35 is ideal for 2.4 IMO so either way. I suggested 35 because it’s better for 2.6 if you decide to go that way, and no real downside with 2.4 aside from a little weight. ---
**Author:** ![Jkauffman](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/trainerroad/forum/user_avatar/www.trainerroad.com/jkauffman/32/129534_2.png) [@Jkauffman](https://www.trainerroad.com/forum/u/Jkauffman)\ **Post date:** [February 22, 2021, 11:42pm UTC](https://www.trainerroad.com/forum/t/need-advice-choosing-the-internal-width-of-my-29er-wheels/53548/13 "2021-02-22T23:42:03Z")
great article, thank you ---
**Author:** ![LarrytheStanimal](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/trainerroad/forum/user_avatar/www.trainerroad.com/larrythestanimal/32/50704_2.png) [@LarrytheStanimal](https://www.trainerroad.com/forum/u/LarrytheStanimal)\ **Post date:** [February 23, 2021, 4:44pm UTC](https://www.trainerroad.com/forum/t/need-advice-choosing-the-internal-width-of-my-29er-wheels/53548/14 "2021-02-23T16:44:41Z")
I have been looking at getting the V4 Ripley, but wanted to save on drivetrain (using Shimano Deore) and get better suspension, so would need to get a frame and build it up - but I’ve never done this. I would appreciate any feedback from your process. What decisions did you like, what would you have done differently? Thank you