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So the cup and cone bearings on my Arkose are in a poor state so new wheels are needed. I'm 100kg and will be using the bike for light touring this summer so that rules out a few options. I see no point in buying hunts with 28 spokes and I'm close to the weight limit. Builds of the dt swiss r460 are also out as that is a 110kg system weight limit. I'll need QR internal width of 19-20mm and ideally 6 bolt cartridge bearings. The bike currently has 38mm tyres and I want rims that are narrow enough to take 28mm tyres if I use the bike as a road bike in the future
Sugestions please. Or do I just pony up for the Hopes?
Not sure on the current pricing, but I run the older Hope Pro/Tech XC rim combo - they were supposed to be an XC wheel but if you look at the specs, they are pretty much ideal for a gravel bike. I seem to recall the rims are 20mm.
They were not very popular when new (even the wider rims werent wide enough), you might find some cheap somewhere.
See what your LBS will do. As a guide, mine built Hydra rims on a DT 350 for about £380.
Fwiw, I’m much heavier than you and I’ve only killed one set of cheaply Aksium wheels - which Mavic warrantied (happy days).
How bad are the existing bearings?
Replacement is not always the only option
How bad are the existing bearings?
The bike is still rideable. Both bubs undid themeselves in a 1 week trip. The front was a bit rough might be OK with new balls. The back was described as as pretty terrible by Halfords (I was away with no cone spanners). I didn't see inside myself. I suppose I feel that I've reached a time in my life where I'd like wheel bearings that just work. Rather then needing nursing along...
The hope 20fives on pro4s are about £400
Thanks for all the ideas folks
The DT swiss C 1800's are rated up to 130KG, as are all their Cross and Gravel wheels.
I'm a big old lump and ride the CRC 1400's, no problems so far.
Also, the R460 is a light weight road rim, the R500 and RR481 are their cross/gravel rims and also rated to 130KG.
I need to find some dt swiss c 1800 of the right spec for a cost comaparison but udeful to know the rider weight
These are a bit lardy but look good value? The down side being Shraeder drilling being a pain for tubeless. Or is it impossible rather than just a pain?
I got Hope Five20 on Pro4 for £345 from Tredz a few weeks back with a 10% bank holiday offer. Worth keeping an eye out
OK found the dt swiss 1800. They look good. Seems like they have 6 bolt converters and end caps in the box? I'll have to tackle their chart tomorow it looks complicated
https://www.bike-discount.de/en/buy/dt-swiss-c-1800-spline-db-23mm-wheelset-665676
Also, the R460 is a light weight road rim, the R500 and RR481 are their cross/gravel rims and also rated to 130KG.
Worth remembering that the tyre has a big impact on the toughness of a wheel.
For example Stans Crest 29er rim is only 360g, 100g lighter than the R460. Everything else being equal the DT has ~30% more metal, so should actually be stronger. Just that the DT is assumed to spend it's life being bashed into potholes with zero (well, 23mm at 100psi) cushioning, the stans is designed to have 2.25" of tyre at ~25psi between it and the ground, however rough it is.
I’ll probably burn in hell for mentioning this, but I do have a set of old Flow 29ers (pre EX) that will mount Conti GP 28’s at a pinch although they’re really happier with slightly wider CX tyres...
I'd be looking for something like that suggested by jimdubleyou - some quality rebuildable hubs and some DT or H+Son rims.
I weigh nearly 100kg and have the Hopes on my Gravel Bike. They have been great in a couple of years use on and off road.
You can get a pair of Hope Tech XC from CRC at the moment for about £330 (just play around with the colour and size options till you find the cheapest.)
Thanks for all the ideas folks. In the end went with 20fives on pro 4. But I've learnt alot on the way and I'm more confident in my choices....
I got a set of those Hunt 4 Season Gravel a week or two ago. They look fantastic, can be had with any axle standard front and back (QRs included if you choose QR), and come already taped, with tubeless valves in the box and spare spokes. I'm hugely impressed with the quality of them out of he box, and they seem much cheaper than Hope (even cheaper when the wee extras like valves are totted up) . Obviously not put a lot of time in on them as yet, but reviews suggest they're as good as they look. Seriously considering their MTB wheels next.