Decided to buy an 18 inch rear rim and lace it to the stock hub. basically so I can use the sr44 tire. The only problem I've been looking around and excel don't make a 2.75 rim and the d.i.d rim is a lot more expensive.
Excel make a 2.5 and a 3.0 and the tire I want to use is made for use with rims ranging from 2.5 to 3.0. So either one would do the job. The question is which one is suited to me.

The bike alone is very heavy and I'm well on the wrong side of the bmi scale. Then there is my work equipment that I lug around in my 100 litre metal boxes and the tool box on top. So weight is real issue.

The off road terrain is rocks, rocks and more rocks with the occasional mud bath. But mainly it's a bike that I use to get to and from work. A road bike and a Sunday in the mountains.

So I think (without any good reference) the 2.5 would be more nimble in the rocks. But 3.0 would be a bit more durable.

Any comments would be appreciated. This is all guess work on my part.

Any one know of a good source for stainless spokes.

2.5" is the default choice, and probably the way to go. Better suited to the terrain you ride, it's also stronger and will be better protected by the tyre's side wall.

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You are running an after market side exhaust aren't you?
Otherwise the tyre will kiss the muffler under full compression.

Off The Road sell rims and spokes. Not sure if that works out well for your � but you will be assured of getting the right spoke length, correct head size to fit the OEM hub and correct hole angle in the rim to match the hub.
I am about to lace up an excel rim with new spokes to the front next weekend. Have done a lot of research as it's my first attempt at this.
Good luck.

2.5 it is then, cheaper as well.

Good luck with wheel build. Not sure I have the confidence or the tools. It certainly looks tempting to get some tools of ebay though. And most worryingly the tenere range of error is really small.

Does anyone know where I can Get a set of good spokes from( that will 'fit' the 18 excel rim and stock hub)?

My guess is tt and Otr are well overpriced!