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What are the forummer's views on wheelsets? I have generally been a believer in always sticking to standard hubs, 32H rims, and normal spokes (albeit sometimes thin - DT Super Comps at the moment) on the basis that they are good value, reliable, and easy to have repaired by your LBS.
However, it is difficult to get much below 1800g with this sort of setup - if you go for sensible rims (450g / 19mm presently) then even thin spokes made up with Pro2's yield these sorts of weights. Wheelsets from people like Mavic, DTS, and Crank Brothers are often around 1500g - which is a pretty big saving - and that is without going for some mentally expensive carbon setup.
So - people running these wheels - are the nightmares about poor bearings, issues requiring sending back to the factory, etc valid? Or will they run for years like a normal wheel if looked after?
Some concerns seem legit.. I've got 2 sets of Roval Traverses, which are about 1600g each, one on a long travel hardtail and one on a 160mm bike with Lyriks etc. Parts are a slight hassle- getting spokes from Specialized is hit and miss, so I just got a supply in from Freeborn (EBC took 6 weeks to get me one spoke!). But they're basically DT 240 hubs, so very reliable and easy to get parts for.
They're not downhill-strong, obviously, but they're strong enough for me... I've put dents in them and broken spokes and the like, but the first time I managed that was on the world cup line at fort william. I raced out a stage in an innerleithen enduro on a flat tyre, right through the rock gardens of the black route, bong bong bong bong bong, and the wheel survived more or less intact, all good stuff.
Not stupidly expensive either.
Stan's rims will drop your weight. The pro2 evo with crest rims are about 1600g and very capable wheels. Mine are fine for racing and using on a 5" full suss.
You can go lighter if you go down the pro3 route but then I think you might start to get flexy/weak but at least you'll keep service ability.
Tune hubs are very light but reasonable? You might get more info on weight weenies.
Oh- I should have said, the Roval spokes are just DT, but they're straightpull so nobody keeps them in stock- I've never found anywhere that could supply single spokes and I declined to buy 3 boxes of 72 🙂
The Crank Brothers wheelsets look impossibly nice - I saw some in the flesh in a shop recently and fell in love - but I'm wary of spending £600+ on a pair of wheels I then don't take to places like CYB - where the weight would potentially benefit me most. Reviews suggest bearing issues and slow repairs, too.
I suppose going tubeless on my "trail" bike would save some weight but I'm not convinced I can be bothered with the faff...
crossmax beats cb wheels hands down
on Hope Pro 2's go SP for another 100g saving, sub 1600g with Crests
Pro 2/Crests are fantastic for value and outright performance if you want wheels for XC/trail riding.
Also look at ZTR Hubs with ZTR Crest, just under 1500g. See Just Riding Along (JRA)
OR for a lot less Superstar Switch hubs on ZTR Crest - a little lighter than my Pro2 with 355 & had no issues in a year with mine, paid £225.
Have a look at American Classic Tubeless wheelset. Bought mine last year and I think it weighs around 1500gms. Their pretty tough (I've used them for downhilling at Cwmcarn) and I've had absolutely no problems with them.