Hookless vs. Clincher rims
Hookless has long been the standard for mountain bike rims, and in recent years, has also started to make waves in the gravel and even road scenes, in part to follow the trend towards wider tires. But are they safe? Will my tires stay on? Is there a reason to stick with clincher rims at all? Let’s break it down so you can make an informed choice.
The Basics
Traditional clincher rims have small hooks on the lips that help hold tires in place. Hookless rims skip the hooks and have a smooth, straight lip instead. Hookless rims rely on modern tire bead cores and tighter tolerances to keep tires secure to the rim.
Why go hookless
Hookless rims allow lower tire pressures while maintaining a secure tire seat. Without hooks “pinching” the tire, hookless rims allow for a wider tire stance, mitigating the “lightbulb effect”. This is what promoted hookless rim popularity for mountain bike wheels: lower pressure with wider tires and aggressive tread = more traction!
Designed to be run tubeless, hookless rims feature a special bead lock to keep tires secure, making hooks unnecessary, especially when using stiffer tires and lower pressures. The straight lip walls also enhance durability as clincher hooks can be vulnerable to damage under impact, making hookless the better choice for rougher surfaces and aggressive off-road riding.
Why do we need hooks?
The purpose of hooks is to keep tires stable and secure, particularly when inflated to high tire pressures. Bike tires are relatively thin and with expansion, can risk blowing off the rim if the pressure gets too high. To protect against this, hooks act like a physical safety net to keep your tires secure. This is why you see hooked road rims with tire pressure limits of up to 120psi, while hookless rims max out at much lower pressures. If you’re running tubes, you should choose clincher rims (check with your tire manufacturers – some explicitly require it).
So, what’s right for you?
So you now know the nuts and bolts, but how does it apply to your specific riding needs?
Choose hookless
if you’re into wider tires, lower pressures, and rough roads. They lend a comfy ride to your wheels and great impact protection, making them ideal for gravel and cyclocross riders. Just be absolutely sure you’re running tubeless-compatible tires!
Choose clincher
if you prefer smooth roads, your tires at high pressures, and/or want to swap between road and gravel tires. Clincher rims give the broadest spectrum of tire-setup flexibility.
NOBL Dropbar: Clincher and Hookless rims
The CR Series rims are clincher rims offered in two depths: CR35 (35mm deep) and CR45 (45mm deep). They have a 22mm internal and 29mm external width.
The HR Series rims are hookless rims in the same depths: HR35 (35mm deep) and HR45 (45mm deep). They have a 24mm internal and 29mm external width.
Both the CR and HR series have front and rear-specific rim designs, and are offered in both 24h and 28h. This allows riders to mix and match depths, hole counts and layups to perfectly suit their riding needs.
