Kinlin XR-300 mass: interesting data point
Posted: Fri Nov 16, 2012 6:30 am
Like lots of people here, I've been using the Kinlin XR-300 as a go-to clincher rim. The last one I built up, in 2009, weighed in at 468 grams. I've seen various specs that list the weight as 465 grams, so this one was exactly what I expected.
I just purchased a new XR-300, plopped it on the same scale and got a weight of 450 grams. This is interesting because successive rims of a given make and model typically get sequentially heavier; the extrusion die wears and wall thicknesses increase incrementally with each rim's worth of extrusion.
The most logical conclusion to be reached is that Kinlin is being fairly aggressive about replacing its extrusion dies (which is good news for weight weenies). For what it's worth, both my 2009 rim and my 2012 rim are black (powdercoated) with a machined brake track. The 2009 rim has 24 holes and the 2012 rim has 20.
This brings me to another oddity about these rims: every single one I've ever encountered has a slightly sharper radius on one side of the spoke bed than the other. I'm referring to the external radius nearest the spoke nipples...essentially, the bottom of the V in a V-section rim. This isn't something I can see, but it's easy to feel when you run your hand around the outside of the rim (its minor diameter, if you will).
None of this is earth-shaking, but I thought some people here might be interested.
Cheers,
Jason
I just purchased a new XR-300, plopped it on the same scale and got a weight of 450 grams. This is interesting because successive rims of a given make and model typically get sequentially heavier; the extrusion die wears and wall thicknesses increase incrementally with each rim's worth of extrusion.
The most logical conclusion to be reached is that Kinlin is being fairly aggressive about replacing its extrusion dies (which is good news for weight weenies). For what it's worth, both my 2009 rim and my 2012 rim are black (powdercoated) with a machined brake track. The 2009 rim has 24 holes and the 2012 rim has 20.
This brings me to another oddity about these rims: every single one I've ever encountered has a slightly sharper radius on one side of the spoke bed than the other. I'm referring to the external radius nearest the spoke nipples...essentially, the bottom of the V in a V-section rim. This isn't something I can see, but it's easy to feel when you run your hand around the outside of the rim (its minor diameter, if you will).
None of this is earth-shaking, but I thought some people here might be interested.
Cheers,
Jason
