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Always looking to spend more money I don't have on my bike. I currently have a bronze DT Swiss 420SL rear wheel on a DT Swiss hub, and a black DT Swiss 4.2D rim up front with a Specialized Stout hub (just over 200g without the QR).
They seem reasonably light, but they don't match (bronze front rim became banana shaped in an amusing crash), and would be nice to have something fresh and new for racing (and light). These will get demoted to singlespeed / spare bike duty.
Suggestions for decent wheels for sensible money? I like the look of Crank Brothers Cobalts, but they are a bit pricey. Thinking more around £300 for something light, black, reliable and smart looking with 6 bolt hubs.
Any suggestions? Would be interested to hear if people think I will get a better wheelset without spending lots of money.
Alternatively, anyone got a good condition bronze 420SL rim or wheel with the same?
Hope pro 2's on Stans 355's can be had for less than £300 so you can get some new tyres with the leftovers 😉
Sounds a bit heavy for racing though. A set under 1550g would be best. Unrealistic for the budget?
Hope Pro2, DT Revolution, alloy nipples, Mavic XC717.
All available in black.
Where did you arrive at 1550g being the optimum weight for racing? 😆
Yes unrealistic, £400-£500 and you should get what you are looking for, American Classics etc.
You could try something from here:
http://www.justridingalong.com/shop.php?product=3711
Can't vouch for the hubs but the sample wheel quoted is pretty light. Have been using NoTubes Olympic rims for 3 years with no hassle, general XC/trail stuff and a bit of racing. Have them on XTR hubs and they're pretty light. Advantages over the factory built wheels is you can get spare parts easier and fix them yourself if you know how, at least where I live anyway. eg: don't know how easy it would be to get a spoke for a set of Cobalts or an XTR wheel, but most shops should get you a standard spoke readily enough.
Was also thinking about getting a light set of wheels as a birthday present from my wife and decided on American Classics - they're £400 though.
I also considered Hope Pro 3's but was put off by the fairly low weight limit.
Sofatester, that does sound like a good setup. Any idea of weight?
Will have a look at the American classics and other suggestions too. Need something light for racing and not overbuilt as I'm only 70kg. Does 1550g or so not sound like a reasonable weight?
Those ZTRs and American classics both look like decent options- thanks. Hadn't looked at either before.
£400 will get you a ZTR Alpine / ZTR Hubs / Revolutions setup from JRA.
Pretty light, and very smart.
Just got a set as a late Christmas Present (ahem - to myself), but haven't tried them yet. I paid under £300 for them, but that was because I took advantage of a business trip to New York last week!
Either buy Hope Hoops or be prepared to spend far more - 240s hubs using Stans 355's and DT Swiss spokes?
Hmm, NoTubes ZTR hubs with Olympic rims and DT Swiss Revolution spokes all in black sound good and light. Thoughts on the hubs? Not gone tubeless yet, but could be a good excuse to get some racing ralphs and a set of these. That should use all of the funds from my upcoming Spesh Epic frame sale (and then some).
What do people think of Bonty Race X Lite wheels? I have a pair never fitted to a bike that I might be interested in selling.
Hope Pro 3 SP6 wheelset would be my recommendation. Cost £290 and claimed weights are:
Front = 663g
Rear = 800g
That's with the 355 rims, which would be ideal for your weight I'd have thought. At your weight you don't need overbuilt.
The Stans hubs also look interesting mind - I'd be interested to know more!
I've been looking into this as I'll probably be racing next year. Can't buy now but I can look!
I have a set of Hope Hoops with 355s and, just to assist, they weighed in at Hope Pro2 with 355 Front: 765g, Hope Pro2 with 355 Rear: 888g, total 1653g which, for the money, I think is very good.
Worth bearing in mind that any weight reductions gained with new wheels can be quickly lost with poor tyre choice
What do people think of Bonty Race X Lite wheels? I have a pair never fitted to a bike that I might be interested in selling.
Good wheels, but far heavier than claimed.
Go a bit over budget and custom build would get my vote, ZTR hubs on Olympics/Alpines sounds good. Otherwise you may get some Roval Controles for a bit less than that.
Good wheels, but far heavier than claimed.
Not sure what's claimed but mine weigh 730g/860g
Actually they've increased their claimed weights, now 704/818, they did previously claim them to be lighter, <1500g.
Still, as I said, good wheels. 240 based hubs even though they've stopped saying that all the ones I've played with still have star ratchet internals.
pixelmix - pm me [email in profile] i could have a pair of 420 sl rims in spesh bronze/braan available in the next couple of weeks...
Still, as I said, good wheels.
Looking at the Evans site a pair costs £650 - better be good! Mine are from last year though if they're any different.
pixelmix - how about these, complete wheelset in the bronze colour you're after, let me know.
-XC Wheelset - DT Swiss XR4.2D rims, 28h/32h, DT Swiss Super Comp 2.0/1.7/1.8 stainless black spokes, alloy nipples, Specialized Stout front hub with 9mm DT RWS alloy QR, DT Swiss 340 rear hub with DT RWS 10mm alloy QR, 32h - 9/10 condition - £130 posted
Looking at the Evans site a pair costs £650
Yeah they're not that good!
The hubs on the Spesh/DT wheels are a bit pants, much better to buy something new I'd say (sorry matt/benny).
[(sorry matt/benny).]
no need to apologise i'm only trying to help out by offering s/h spares. i'd agree about the "custom" spesh/dt hubs
Thanks all. Matt- I'll pm you re the rim. Although a new set of wheels would be good, a bronze 420 would mean I have a matching pair for my other bike.
Benny- think I'll turn those thanks. Would rather put that money towards something shiny and new.
I bought a wheelset from actionsports.de DT swiss 240s, xc717, sapim cxray spokes = 1550grams or so, and £330 delivered -