The sound of smashing an aluminum rim into a rock is unique: somewhere between a ping and a crumple, it's a sharp metallic noise muffled by your rubber tire. It's unpleasant, to say the least, and rarely without complications. When you smash a Race Face ARC 31 Carbon Rim into a rock, it's more of a whap. Not altogether fun to hear, but at least now you can contemplate the differing sonic signature of the impacts, instead of tending to a dented rim. Because the Race Face ARC 31 Carbon Rim will not dent. It just goes about its business, clack clack clacking into every rock on trail without a care. Carbon wheels are amazing.