I have just bought the DT5.1 rims and love them. They are very stable, tough and much lighter than the Mavic rim. However, the down side I have found is that the rim can be very tight with certain tyres. I like Conti steel beaded tyres, cheap and good, but I can't get these to go on the rim at all. So long as you're running kevlar beaded tyres you will be ok.
Absolutely spot on regarding the tight rims. I fought like an animal with my Nevegals the other day, fixing a puncture, and had to resort to using two steel tyre levers.
I have a pair of the hope hoops 5.1D 2007 just bought recently and they are sooo noisy, if anyone can suggest how to stop the click click clicking from the rear hub I'd be very grateful, otherwise grab yourself a bargan on ebay soon as they will be up for sale anytime soon if no good suggestion
I've been running the 5.1's for a few months now, including a trip across the lakes and they've been superb so far. As has been mentioned they can be a very tight with tyres - I run nobby nic/racing ralphs and they are difficult to get on in the dry, and an absolute bitch if you're trying to fix a puncture in the rain!
pro11s and 5.1s are spot on, ive been riding mine hard on a hardtail for over a year with no probs.
really cant understand the "oh there so noisey!" rubbish. on the flat your pedaling, up hill your pedaling and if you can hear them downhill your really not going fast enough, all i can hear are my tires on the trail and the wind in my ears.... and im shit slow.
Hey Mass, looks like you made an expensive mistake and I doubt the DT4.2 was to blame, however it would benefit us all if you tell us why the wheel needed retruing so many times and why you consider it to be an issue with the 4.2 rim.