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I recently bought a fairly basic HT from Merlin, for kicking around and coaching with, when not on my FS eMTB. It’s a Sensa Merano Evo Race 29, and I’d like to upgrade the wheels to something a bit better, and tubeless. The existing rims are weighty, not tubeless and annoyingly hugely problematic to get tyres onto as very very tight, even Nobby Nics.
So what I’m after is a pair of reasonably priced 29 boost wheels, with freehub for shimano 12 speed. Xc riding with 2.2-2.3 tyres so Probs around 30mm width.
Any recommendations and where may stock ?
Many thanks
I currently have these in my basket, but don’t know a huge amount about them, any opinions ?
https://www.merlincycles.com/fulcrum-red-metal-5-boost-mtb-wheelset-29-171804.html#newsletter
Hope Fortus 23 pro4 might be worth a look.
I have them on my bike in 27.5 - recommended by a mate of mine who runs Clive Powell's bike shop in Rhayader.
https://www.hopetech.com/products/wheels/trail/fortus-23-pro-4/
I also run Vittoria Barzo 2.25 tyres, very much pleased with the set up
Get some custom built. Hope Pro4 / Bitex / DT Swiss 350 hubs.
DT Swiss rims in whichever flavour you want. XM481 is a strong trail rim that’s not that heavy vs it’s strength and 30mm internal. If they make a 29er XM421 thats 25mm internal - would probably be fine for 2.2-2.3” tyres. 30mm internal might be a bit wide.
I’d not buy any wheels that have Hope own brand rims - they just aren’t very good in terms of strength vs weight. Very hard to see past DT Swiss right now. Something like a wtb i29 might be ok if very cheap but if not then I wouldn’t.
Thanks for the ideas so far
Joebristol has pretty much covered it.
+1 for joebristol’s comments re custom. DT Swiss do an XR391 rim in 29er flavour with 25mm internal width.
I could do you a set of Hunt 29 Trailwides (although with an XD freehub - Shimano ones easily available) for not a huge amount - ad in the classifieds if you're interested.
Thanks Jon, will pass this time, cheers.
Still tempted by the immediately available Fulcrum red metal 5 at £300…
Anyone got any experiences with them ?
iainc the only problem will be the spokes, as they are proprietary to the wheels. I've used fulcrum wheels with no problems but always aware that if i broke a spoke i'd probably be struggling to get spokes other than online from germany.
I'm a big fan of Stan's rims (and their Neo hubs are pretty good too)
I've been hammering some Flow Mk3s for over a year now and had no issues.
They are the easiest tubeless setup of any rim I've ever used. Track pump every time.
With a quick look these guys will do a build with Hope hubs for £499.
https://www.ptcycles.co.uk/prod/25815/Stans+Flow+MK3+MTB+Wheelset/
for putting tyres on/off easy I would avoid stans and WTB rims.
Wouldn't bother with 30mm for such thin tyres either.
https://www.merlincycles.com/fulcrum-red-metal-5-boost-mtb-wheelset-29-171804.html
or go custom
I would not touch the fulcrums with a barge pole, everyone I know who has had them, plus what you read on the internet, says they are crap for UK. Designed for hot and dusty, not cold and wet and eat bearings due to crap sealing.
I've got some cheap, new WTBs in the classifieds? 😉
Where are people getting their custom wheels from?
I would like some Element wheels from SSC but they are out of stock right now. JRA also have a long wait time.
I like the Bitex/Novatech hubs as I've had good experience. Looking for a trail/xc rim for 2.3 tyres.
The wheels on the Scandal aren't great and were on my list to replace, would be good to put an XD freehub on too.
Jonba - Try 20Twenty in Banchory. Mike builds great wheels, usually has ahis stock of Mavic/Hope and his customer service is fantastic.
Ryan Builds Wheels is pretty good - they rate Bitex hubs as a good option for not too much money and are happy to source / build with them.
https://www.ryanbuildswheels.co.uk/
Bitex are good. Look at JRA wheels as they use bitex on stans or their own branded rims. Good builds.
Tbh, in this time of massive lead times for on-line stuff I have used my lbs more and they get what I need at a decent time. Maybe your lbs can build you something decent to your spec?
Wouldn’t bother with 30mm for such thin tyres either.
Yeah, I was a bit surprised at that too. Even from the POV of availability, removing that as a requirement might throw up more options.