You don't need to be an 'investor' to invest in Singletrack: 6 days left: 95% of target - Find out more
I'm looking for some new wheels for my Tallboy 2. I mainly ride XC, and my main events are long distance races rather than short XC races (Manx 100 and planning on Salzkammergut Trophy next year).
I currencyly have Stans Crests with Hope Hubs, but I am looking for something as light or lighter, but stronger.
For the price, the Roval Carbon Controls look the best. I'm not convinced on the Roval Carbon SL as all the weight savings seem to be in running less spokes.
I suppose the other option is the Light Bicycle 27mm hookless rims with DT Swiss hubs for less money and basically the same wheel, but do wonder about having a warranty and support locally.
Are there any other options out there that people can recommend?
I'd hand build all day long. I had some old Roval Controle SLs (aluminium ones) the bearings were appalling, the nipples seized and failed, the finish on the spokes was dreadful. The warranty thing is a bit of a red herring IMO - what rim warranty are you expecting?
You could go lighter and cheaper with American Classic hubs (or DT240 as you say), or waaaay lighter for similar money with Tune Prince/Princess or Extralite hubs.
I've got the former on 32h LB hookless rims, and built with Revolutions they're 1370g, so the same weight as the claimed SL weight, but with a full complement of spokes. Tune hubs would get to 1300g, Extralite would get you to 1260g or so. Bit of an unknown on durability, although a friend has just built some and is impressed.
As above really. The LB warranty is pretty good too.....they quickly replaced a mates trashed 26" 33mm rim.
Any issues with the American Classic hubs? I've heard bad things about the bearings and spares availability.
My Light-Bicycle rims have arrived. I got the hookless 27mm XC rims.
Now just to decide on the hubs and spokes.
American Classic race wheels about £500 and under 1500g
Revolution spokes if you want light.
DT240, American Classic or Extralite hubs depending on how much you want to spend/how light you want to go.
I have the non-carbon Control SLs, when I got them I was given a bag of spare bearings for the front wheel as they apparently wear out very quickly. They're tiny bearings, so it's not really a surprise.
What are DT240 like off road? They cope ok with British slop? Have some on a road bike and they are very nice.
I thought that the hub internals in roval wheels were made by DTSwiss and were pretty much the same as DT240s - is that not right or is it just the rear hub/freehub bits which are DTswiss-made?
What are DT240 like off road? They cope ok with British slop? Have some on a road bike and they are very nice
No trouble at all. I've been running one set for 6 years + with no maintenance to bearings. I pull the freehub off every so often to drop a bit of Pedros on the ratchets (keeps them quiet) but they're still silky smooth.
I thought that the hub internals in roval wheels were made by DTSwiss and were pretty much the same as DT240s - is that not right or is it just the rear hub/freehub bits which are DTswiss-made?
No idea if it's still the case, but the old Controles had much smaller front hub bearings than a 240, lighter, but horrific longevity. Hours.
The rear is basically a 240.
What are DT240 like off road?
Excellent hubs, although American Classic can be had cheaper, and they're lighter. Perhaps more of a question mark over longevity - 240s go on and on. Only down side, [i]if [/i]the middle bearing goes (and it's always the last one to do so) you need the (expensive) tool to replace it. My LBS has it, so I'm sorted!
The American Classic do look good, but I've heard bad things about the bearings, and as these will be my everyday wheels, I want something that I know is reliable.
I guess DT240s are the best in terms of weight, reliability and serviceability.
The DT180s are not worth the extra cost for dropping 16grams on the rear hub.
DT240s are brilliant- one of the best hubs there are. Not neccesarily great value mind. But on the other hand, parts support and futureproofing is as good as it could be.
But as njee says it's only the rears on the traversees that use the full DT internals, the fronts are more variable. I've had 2 sets of the old Traversees in pretty constant use for years and they've been really impressive but...
TBH, I wouldn't buy any expensive factory wheelset again, it just doesn't make sense, you end up tied into specific parts, availability's not always great or cheap, if any part of the wheel's not up to scratch it can bring the whole thing down. Same applies for Mavic or Fulcrum or whoever else.
I'd go DT240 on Lightbicycle too.
I have 8 wheel sets at the moment built with either DT 240s or american Classic hubs.
I can't say the american Classic hubs/ bearings are any worse ( or less good ) than the 240s.
I've never had any issues with either, including using them as single speed wheels in deep mud n filth.
See what deals are around aand go from there 🙂
The American Classic do look good, but I've heard bad things about the bearings, and as these will be my everyday wheels, I want something that I know is reliable.
The old ones had really small bearings and the longevity was poor, new ones are far more reliable. Mine have been flawless all year, which isn't all that remarkable, but I'm impressed for a light set of hubs. 240s are 20g heavier (you can reduce that with the 36t star ratchets) if you're bothered to that extent. The AMCs have bigger flanges too, so build a stiffer wheel.
guess DT240s are the best in terms of weight, reliability and serviceability.
The DT180s are not worth the extra cost for dropping 16grams on the rear hub.
The 180 is utterly laughable, they've stuck some hybrid ceramic bearings in, machined out the freehub body slightly and tripled the price. Mental.