[Closed] light bicycle carbon rims

Njee, Bikes and most parts tend to be 30% cheaper in HK than the UK, I couldn't afford a Mach6 (or the bikes before that) if I still lived and worked in the UK!

Interesting, in which case the LBs are expensive [i]and [/i]Enves are cheap!

Just a quick update, just got some 35mm 29er LB rims, they had an ERD that was 596mm, which is about 7mm out. I bought spokes which accounted for a 3mm difference in ERD, and they laced up perfectly with no thread showing.

That tallies with what I found - I ended up going 4mm longer on spokes, which is probably excessive (but only available in even lengths and I wasn't convinced 2mm would be enough).

Rickon, how come the 29" rims work out so much cheaper?

I bought them through a 3rd party, rather than direct through Light Bicycle. Lots of feedback on the 3rd party - like 10,000+ feedback reviews. Just economies of scale of buying lots of them.

I'm trying not to be a hater but these uber wide rimz just seem silly to me, the tyre tread on some of 'em looks just about flat. That can't be good IMO. I just can't see needing a rim any wider than a Mavic 823 and that's running a 2.5 old school Maxxis. 721's were/are also plenty wide enough to give a really nice square tyre shape on 2.3's. Is this just a bit snake oily with guys looking for an advantage that isn't there?

I'm trying not to be a hater but these uber wide rimz just seem silly to me

but teh enduro

😀 lulz!!

Afternoon all, just done my calculations for a set of the 35mm wide Hookless 650B, just wondered if you could check my maths before I get in touch with LB.

2 x Rims @ 175USD EA
+ 3.5% PP Fee
+ 50USD Postage
Total - 412.25USD/ £285 in Google currency converter

(+ unknown customs/ Parcelfarce handling fees when it hits the UK)

Anything I've missed?

Thanks, Ben.

How do these compare to the Supertar carbon AMs which are on sale at the moment?

Benn use LB's ebay.com site to buy, no issues lots of communication & no additional pp fee (as per there site)..

Can you still pick the rim finish, hole drilling etc?

Don't suppose you've got a link have you?

Ta', Ben.

Yep, spec them exactly how you want.. [url= http://stores.ebay.com/Light-Bicycle-Global?_rdc=1 ]LB ebay linky[/url].
See the other current carbon rim thread, for the other option extra/benefit you might wa to to partake off.

Thanks for the heads up, will go have a rummage now!

Edit; I see you mean Superstar, afraid I'm oot!

Got my 29er 35mm hookless and built them up yesterday, used some of their cx-ray rip offs with alu nips.

ERD measured 595.

Both rims were within a couple of grams of each other at 420g.

The relace with new rims and spokes has saved me 430g (quite a bit more than i anticipated) on the pair of wheels over some hope enduro rims and sapim race spokes.

Rims/wheelset seems very, very nice. Went UD matte finish with no stickers, stealth.

used some of their cx-ray rip offs with alu nips.

Eh? You mean Pillar spokes, which are in no way a Sapim 'rip off'...?

Are there any compatibility issues to be aware of with tubeless sealant and carbon rims? Just asking before I splash a load of stans onto some LB rims and a bontrager rim strip.

(Sorry if this has been covered, hard to find in a big thread).

Nope, it'll be fine.

I've bought some of the 35mm rims and gave them to an lbs to build up. Just had them on the phone asking if any ferrules came with the rims for nipples to sit on or do they just sit straight on the carbon. He says it doesn't look very beefed up so isn't confident of building them without ferrules. So which way is right?
Sorry if it doesn't make sense, I know nothing about wheel building. TIA

mine have no ferrules, a year on, 2 ews and a load of other races, no problems

Use their live messenger service or drop them a mail. Usually get a quick reply

Consensus [url= http://singletrackmag.com/forum/topic/carbon-wheel-build ]here[/url] seems to be that they are not necessary (assuming you mean nipple washers.)

Cheers for the quick replies. Sounds like they're not needed then.

Looking to build up a set of the 30mm internal 29er rims very soon, but undecided on spoke choice.

The wheels are for my 29er FS (Transition Smuggler), and will be getting a fair bit of middle-aged hammer, not massive airtime, but rocky Scottish trails.

I've decided to get some DTSwiss 240s hubs, as I've always fancied a set of these, so weight should be pretty keen regardless of what spoke/nipple combo is used.

So far have narrowed it down to:

DT Comp Race except for rear DS, where DT Comp (new intermediate spoke, between a Comp and Revolution)
Stick with DT Comp throughout (always built my wheels with these previously)
Sapim CX-Ray - flipping expensive though, so not really sure if I'm all that keen on these
Sapim Race - pretty much the same as DT Comp (2,1.8, 2)

Anything else to consider?

Nipples - always used brass, although have heard that aluminium ones are much better than they used to be. Any issues here?

cx-ray are cheaper (about £1.50 per spoke) from some of the German retailers if that sways you

I've been looking at these;

[url= http://www.stradawheels.co.uk/product/sapim-d-light-spokes/ ]http://www.stradawheels.co.uk/product/sapim-d-light-spokes/[/url]

That's interesting - The D-Light look similar to the Comp Race - hence why I was thinking of mixing the spokes to give the driveside rear and possibly front disc side more strength.

I guess where I'm going is that I know that the stresses on spokes on a 29er disc wheel are pretty high, so super-light spokes will likely have more issues than heavier round profile ones. Bladed should be better to build up, but £££. The CX-Ray are looking the best, but can't find them at £1.50 yet.

I used D-light all round on the set I built - no issues so far.

Couldn't see much real value in the extra cost of CX-Rays, and there were enough murmurs of issues with ultra thin spokes, that D-Lights seemed the sensible compromise. Comp Race sound much the same.

I think he was saying they're £1.50 cheaper per spoke.

That would make sense, thanks, but still works out as £111 just for the spokes, versus around £25-30 for DT Comps. I guess what I might be looking for something in the middle - light as possible whilst still being good and strong. Moon on a stick?

Sorry Gary, missed your comments. Thanks for that, that's reassuring to know.

I think I'll go for Comp Race, and beef them up with Comps on rear DS.

Just ordered a set of 38mm AM/DH rims from LB website.
I'll be building them onto my old Flow wheels, so Superstar Switch Evo hubs and buying some DT Swiss comp spokes from Rosebikes. £30 inc del and brass 14mm nipples with plenty of spares (will have enough to build a new wheel after).

Very quick replies to emails from LB. Excellent service so far 🙂

I got some PSA XTRA1420 spokes from LB when i got my 30mm 29er rims, they're cheap cx-ray copies, they've been good to me so far.

I'm 20 something who does lots of jumping, they've been fine.

I think it was about £1 a spoke with alu nipples, pretty good value i reckon.

Gavin, out of curiosity, why are you mixing spoke types on the rear wheel? Why not just stick with Comps on both sides?

I've only built a few wheels in my time so interested to hear your reasoning.

Another option (because obviously what you need is more choice) is the Laser- it's literally an unsquashed CX-Ray, so weighs exactly the same. Not quite as strong, as it's had less forging, but still strong, and much cheaper.

I've got some very long lived disk wheels with laser spokes - but they were built by Roger Musson. I went more conservative with my own build as I know I didn't do a brilliant job of building non disk wheels with Revolutions.

Some useful observations on the different Sapim options here, including decisions to mix spokes at the rear (caveat, only scanned it, looks good but may contain urban myth)

http://dcrwheels.co.uk/custom-wheelsets/choosing-spokes-advice/

Paul - its just something I've read about. I've just built wheels with Comps before, but the Comp Race seems a good new spoke, which trims the weight slightly. The theory of beefing up the driveside is that the stronger, heavier spokes resist flex more than the lighter, springier spokes. Roger Musson mentions it a few times.

deanfbm - wish I'd spotted that a few weeks ago, although guessing that they can ship them pretty quickly, that could still be a runner.

At the moment, the total built weight is about 1,596g using the Comp/Comp Race combo, but as I said it's not all about keeping the weight low, I'm also keen to make them as strong as I can (without totally breaking the bank!).

NW - Laser, I'll add that to the option list.

I built up a pair of LB 27mm (internal) rims to Hope XC3 hubs with Sapim Laser's and DT Alu nipples. They built up easily and are much stiffer than the Crest rims /Race spokes they replaced. Very impressed so far.

I'm about to collect a pair of Nextie rims being built by Malcolm from Cycle Clinic, they're 40mm external front/35mm rear and he recommended Lasers and alu nipples, I've settled on brass though. Hoping they'll be pretty light.

I'm thinking of ordering a pair of 35 or 38mm rims in the next few days, If anyone has ordered a set recently and has changed their mind feel free to send me an email. 🙂

Just received mine this morning, and despite double-checking with them on ERD, they are 3 mm out. Quoted as 589 and measured 592mm. It's not a massive difference, but the spokes will be 1.5mm shorter than optimal.

Question for the wheel builders out there, would you build knowing the spokes were a touch short?

Got mine this morning 8) Hookless 29er, 32 spokes - 352g and 355g. Can not wait!!! They're really quite pretty in an ooooooooh carbonz kinda way (they're just black though...)!

I scan see there's a flaw in yours from here

You're so bitter. How are your Gnarroad rimz?

GavinB - Member
Just received mine this morning, and despite double-checking with them on ERD, they are 3 mm out. Quoted as 589 and measured 592mm. It's not a massive difference, but the spokes will be 1.5mm shorter than optimal.

Question for the wheel builders out there, would you build knowing the spokes were a touch short?

Go for bigger nipples?

Sorry

*pops outside for a moment, laughs, composes self, comes back in*

Yeah, bigger nipples might be needed, although I think I'll manage as is, I'll just have to be careful not to wind the nipples all the way up initially.

Annoying though, as I did double-check with them, although they admitted to me today that the way they measure/quote ERD does "not include the nipple height", which being around 1.5-2mm, will account for the difference. Anyway, I'm just flagging it up to either wait until you have your rims and measure them yourself, or else if you are an impatient bugger 😳 then add a few mm onto the quoted ERD.

Great, just read this about ERD differences! My spokes turned up today based on the measurements LB gave me. Rims should arrive in a couple of weeks. I'll just have to hope I have enough length else wasted money 👿

My 30mm internal 29ers were built with lazers and have been fine. I have another pair made with race and I prefer the lazer wheels, they ride better, a bit more supple.

Cracked a rim about 2 weeks ago and awaiting replacement from LB.

[img] [/img]

So when you're waiting for your wheels to turn up what do you get from LB?

An email on dispatch or do you just get a bill for duty in the post?

Not that i'm getting impatient or anything, really

I got an email to say that they had been dispatched and a tracking reference, which worked via Parcelforce once it was in the UK, then after a bit of a wait, a letter with the customs bill.

I emailed after a week or two and was told a date when I'd get a tracking number (which I guess means they'll be on their way at that point) so they know despatch dates in advance if you want to check.

I had to wait a wee while until they sent me a tracking email. It was long enough for me to get nervous and email them to ask what was happening, they were still in production. They actually emailed me to say that the wheels were in the UK and awaiting customs charges to be paid, they must have noted on tracking that I hadn't paid yet. I had, Parcel Force are just nobbers...

Cheers guys,

I'll drop them an email, my Monday night hardtail escapades remnided me why i ride a bouncy bike

What tyre brands go up OK on the current LB 35mm rims folks?

My ideal is I can get them up with a track pump, and off without too much sweat on the trail with just a couple of levers.

Thx.

I have a set of 30mm ones - a bontrager symmetric rim strip fits like it was custom-designed for them. Pair of used racing ralphs snapped on fine, but didn't hold air (guess it was either the sidewalls or some homemade valves I was using). Pair of new ground controls snapped on and inflate first time with a track pump.

So I think the rim design is perfect for TLR tyres, and if the bontrager strip will accommodate 35 mm then that would also be a good choice.

On the warranty side of things, I cracked a rim and they sent me a new rim and all I had to pay for was the shipping. Brilliant customer service.

So cost-wise, how much would it be to order a pair of rims and have them built up into an existing hub? The only reason I ask, is superstar are doing a complete set of their carbon wheels for £450 now, which seems like a bargain

I built a set of DT350 hubs, DT supercomp spokes and 35mm LB rims for 450 all in, including shipping costs and customs charges, although I didn't have any build costs because I did it myself. Are the superstars comparable? I don't know.

Mine are taking foreverrrrrr to get here. Over a month now and they've still not been posted.

Mine are in uk customs. Took 13 working days to be posted. That's the 38mm am rims. Don't know why yours are taking so long scaled?
Mine cost £280 delivered, plus whatever customs charge (labeled $100). Spokes and nipples were £30, build myself, so a lot cheaper than ss (but on old hubs of course).

I'm waiting on some 26" am 27mm internal width ones at the moment will be about £350 the pair I think inc charges etc
And id guess about £50 for apokes and nipples. By the time I get some hubs it will be way more than the super star ones but I will have exactly what I want

It varies. Last set I ordered took 7 weeks. Previous set took 2 weeks.

Depends what they have in stock and what needs to be manufactured.

Got my rims today from the depot! £30 charge. Built the front up onto a Superstar Ultra Lite hub (15mm) with DT competition spokesx32, 14mm brass nipples. 806g without rim tape, valve+rotor. Pic of completed wheel tomorrow, but heres the rim and a comparison to Flow donor rim:

[url= http://www.light-bicycle.com/carbon-650b-rims-38mm-wide-hookless-mountain-bike-rims-tubeless-compatible.html#.VaWRY_lViko ]LB 38mm rim[/url]

[img] https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/fnisHCS1aThw-f7s4zZulMkqptRuGLVadNVjHRjbfGPl=w436-h775-no [/img]

[img] https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/3AGp381-Vv9lCYDFJ3a6z5qdGaiqkzhknOsXGapsC2di=w1378-h775-no [/img]

[img] https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/O5QsZF0zwdcSneXbO_aFVYLGPqnDDQca-kY7xWPFZ_T5=w436-h775-no [/img]

[img] https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/VrgFG82wZyON9qprOFCpeKpUqNbVAq4erTm7zBBkcL8z=w436-h775-no [/img]

They are massive in comparison to the Flow!

[img] https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/5y9c75LPKzHNiDwRnO2_nNPU1sShgtS7reNWOREkXc-n=w1378-h775-no [/img]

Like their new graphics. Still getting tempted to try their road rims

How did the ERD match up against the published ones when you came to do the build?

They quote the ERD as 535mm. I measured at 529/530mm internally (not the most accurate measurement), but I think the ERD should be to where the nipple sits inside the rim, so maybe +4mm. I would need a piece of string with a knot in or similar to measure. My spokes were fine though, which I ordered prior to rims arriving. 260mm x 48 and 262 x 16 (although not built the rear yet).

cool, thanks.

They are massive in comparison to the Flow!

Wow aren't they just. 😯

To think, back in the day before Stan's rims were ubiquitous, the light but wide Flow was something of a curiosity, and pretty wide even by DH standards!

It looks pitiful in those pictures.

The 38mm rim depth make the 650b light bicycles look like 26" rims. It's a bizarre optical illusion, a side effect of making the trails come alive.

Rear 142x12 same spokes and nipples as above on Superstar Switch Evo hub (Ali freehub), no valves/tape, rotor 1014g

[img] https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/GuAVAvRMiAXyabFvUJKMIH40WCTGk9LBDiVnBbM7QC5V=w1378-h775-no [/img]

[img] https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/Dv3GhY-xN85s3DAwJiBpi83ciG2M9zC3-C1_EsRr2dho=w1378-h775-no [/img]

So are most people now going with the 38mm rim rather than the 35mm option for the more aggressive end of trail riding with a few uplifts thrown in. Would prefer the 35mm's due to looks and weight but LB seem to be stearinv lots of people towards the bigger rim.

Also interested to hear from those with the above if they are actually finding more grip etc or if there are any negatives with then.

For reference they'll be going on a NP Mega AM 275.

Yeah, LB did sort of encourage me to get the 38mm rim. I wasnt sure whether I'd need the extra strength, but thuoght I might as well get their latest. After looking at the Enve M60/70 rims, they look pretty similar, so maybe its a good thing! My tyres dont look much bigger on the rims though - I thought they would? Used them at the weekend and they definitely felt stiffer, not a massive difference, but it was noticeable. I'm looknig forward to trying them on my local trails to really notice the difference.

I ignored them and stuck with the 35s. Struggled to see much benefit of the 38s, there was never any reported issues with the strength of the 35s and there was few other benefits of the 38, marginal stiffness with a downside of extra weight. In fact the additional stiffness of the 38 I was concerned might be something of a downside. So far so good, loving them.

here was never any reported issues with the strength of the 35s

I and a few others on this thread have smashed some.

Those the 38s do looks a lot meatier but even if it make sense they just look cartoonishly OTT to me.

Might look into it to replace the 35 if they're considerably stronger though.

Anyone have an opinion of how they ride with standard-sized tyres?

I and a few others on this thread have smashed some.

If you're a wheel wrecker the 38s might work out for you.

Mafia - agree on the looks of the 38's.

Doug - what king of riding are you doing on the 35's just for reference

I like the look of the 38's. but then I have 29er version so maybe they look worse on smaller wheels. Got to say when they arrived because they were so chunky I thought they had sent me the wrong size and went and held them up against another wheel to make sure they were 29".

Has anybody had full wheels with hope hubs off them? I saw a comment somewhere that they thought the hope hubs were copies, seems kind of unlikely for a company with LB's reputation, but then again I don't think there is the same tradition of trade protection in China.

Doug - what king of riding are you doing on the 35's just for reference

Has anybody had full wheels with hope hubs off them?

I have. It never even crossed my mind they may be copies so I haven't inspected them beyond seeing the Hope logo. The price they charge isn't suspiciously low and they sound like Hope hubs so I 'hope' they are genuine.

Has anybody had full wheels with hope hubs off them?

Likewise, my local LBS swear they are copies based on the internals, and it being a Hong Kong LBS I'm sure they have seen this before, but they seem to be holding up well so far.