Stan’s MK 4 Rims Have Landed – And They Are Awesome. Again!

Stan's pioneered tubeless tyre and wheel technology, and the fourth-generation MK4 collection ups the US firm's ante once more.


The Bicycling Editors |

Two decades ago Stan Koziatek embraced an automotive solution to the never-ending puncture problems mountain biking faced, and launched Stan’s first tubeless tyre systems in 2001. It didn’t take long to realise there was a need for dedicated tubeless rims to seal the deal, just four years, and 2021 sees the launch of the fourth generation of the firm’s ubiquitous Arch, Crest and Flow rims, offering improved reliability, class-leading weight for aluminium rims and sharp pricing to please the wallet.

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All three rims offer a wider, asymmetric design not dissimilar to big-buck carbon rims, with a welded 6069 construction across the board and a reinforced spoke bed and walls. Stan’s are backing their new alloy rims, too, with each designed to cater to a specific market, from easy-rolling gravel biking to big-hit downhilling, and all carrying a three year warranty with a one-year crash replacement program.

Stan’s Crest MK4

Crest rims are part of the history of mountain biking. Introduced in 2005, the Crest’s design evolved directly from Stan’s earliest ideas, including the legendary 355 rims. Stan wanted a simple and durable rim that would work well without a tube and weighed less than everybody else’s rims. The Crest achieved those goals. With a more durable and lighter 6069 alloy and an asymmetric rim shape that balances spoke tension, today’s Crest MK4 has technology that’s light years ahead of the early design, but the spirit of the original Crest lives on: make it light, make it serviceable, make it resist flats, and make it go as fast as possible.

The BST Asymmetric rim design of the Crest MK4 allows for a stronger wheel while offering the easy inflation and Stan’s trademark unmatched airtight seal. The Crest MK4 rim is optimised for 40mm Gravel tyres and up to 2.3” mountain tyres, making it a great, versatile choice for a wide range of bikes and riding styles.

The durable but forgiving ride of the Crest MK4’s 6069 alloy construction and lightweight, low-profile rim shape offer an unbeatable ride quality uniquely suited to Gravel and short-travel XC riding, and like all rims that bear the Crest name, it’s built for speed.

The Crest MK4 combines the heritage of Stan’s legendary tubeless design with today’s best materials and a stronger asymmetric design. Roll faster with more comfort and more security on your next Gravel or XC ride with the Crest MK4 rim.

Features

●  25mm rim width optimised for Gravel and XC tyres up to 2.3”

●  Light and durable 6069 aluminium with welded joint and reinforced spoke bed

●  BST Asymmetric design combines Stan’s legendary easy tubeless inflation with a stronger, more balanced wheel build

●  3-year rim warranty with 1-year crash replacement

Stan’s Arch MK4

Mountain bikes have changed in the decade since the original Arch rim helped introduce the world to tubeless technology. With a 28mm wide asymmetric rim shape and ultra-strong 6069 alloy, today’s Arch MK4 rim has evolved to match these more capable bikes. Through all the years of testing and refinement of this rim, one thing has never changed: versatility. Now more than ever, when you want a reliable rim that can handle every trail, the Arch MK4 is for you.

The Arch MK4 rim is light enough to take XC racing but was born from research and testing on the Enduro World Series circuit, making it a great rim for anyone looking to improve both descending and climbing. Constructed of light and strong 6069 aluminium alloy, with a reinforced spoke bed and 28mm internal width ideal for 2.2-2.5″ tyres, the Arch MK4 can get you up the climbs easier and make the descent even better.

The Arch MK4’s BST Asymmetric shape improves spoke angle, allowing for a stronger overall wheel build. Unlike most asymmetric rims that struggle with tubeless inflation and consistent airtight seal under hard cornering, the Arch MK4’s shape is designed to equalise pressure for easy inflation and incredibly strong tyre retention on both sides of the rim.

Stan’s patented Bead Socket Technology, combined with a stronger asymmetric design, light and durable 6069 alloy, and the perfect rim width for balancing control and weight, make the Arch MK4 your best choice for all-around riding. Powering up rocky switchback climbs or slapping berms on every descent, the Arch MK4 is ready for whatever you can throw at it.

Features

●  Versatile 28mm internal rim width optimised for 2.2-2.5” tyres

●  Light and durable 6069 aluminium with welded joint and reinforced spoke bed

●  BST Asymmetric design combines Stan’s legendary easy tubeless inflation with a stronger, more balanced wheel build

●  3-year rim warranty with 1-year crash replacement

Stan’s Flow MK4

Since 2007, the Flow rim has been helping riders progress, push boundaries, and do more on their bikes. The original Flow was light, wide, tubeless, and strong as hell. It redefined mountain bike rims and played a role in the evolution of riding. Today’s Flow MK4 continues the progression with a 30mm wide asymmetric rim designed to build an even stronger overall wheel.

Durability and an almost uncanny feeling of control on the trail have made Flow rims the preferred choice of multiple Red Bull Rampage riders, and today’s Flow goes even further. The Flow MK4’s reinforced spoke bed, combined with the offset drilling of the asym design, builds into an incredibly durable wheel that brings added confidence to every ride. Unlike many asymmetric rims, the Flow MK4’s BST Asymmetric shape is designed to equalise resistance to dents and tyre bead retention on both sides of the rim under even the worst rock gardens and hardest cornering. Combined with Stan’s patented Bead Socket Technology, the Flow MK4 rim offers the easiest tubeless setup and most reliable airtight performance on the trail.

Ramp up your progression and make every ride even better with the confidence of Flow MK4 asymmetric rims.

Features:

●  Low-profile 30mm internal width optimises tyre shape, traction, and control for 2.3-2.6” tyres

●  Durable 6069 aluminium with welded joint and reinforced spoke bed

●  BST Asymmetric design combines Stan’s legendary easy tubeless inflation with a

stronger, more balanced wheel build

●  3-year rim warranty with 1-year crash replacement

Get your new Stan’s today!

Stan’s MK4 rims are available from Two Wheels Trading (or your local bike shop, who will need to build you up your dream wheels), and are priced at R2 250 across the range.

Complete wheelsets available in early 2022, featuring an entirely new M-Pulse hub design that will be shared with all Stan’s high-performance aluminium and carbon wheels.

BUY STAN’S RIMS RIGHT HERE

 

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