Wheelset advice MTB

robalert

I am wondering if wheelsets make a difference offroad?

i have an old mtb running no name 36H rims which have surprising lasted me well for the past 12 years.

I am looking to upgrade because I have some beaut running gear to add to my bike, including PG990 9spd cassette, X9 running gear. I don't believe my rear axle will take a 9spd cassette. Standard is 7spd. Anyway the bearings aren't sounding too healthy and braking surface is looking a bit concave.

I notice on one hand, I can get some wheelsets such sun rims blackeye for about $189 or alex X2100 for $139... or even shimano WH565 for $299... will these improve my ride? Am I getting what I pay for.

I am also eyeing a set of Mavic Crossrides. Anyone experienced these?

Would appreciate any feedback or experiences you've had with MTB rims.

On a negative note, I've ridden with quite a number of people and seen their rims fail. They were lighter than me. They were brand name rims. Recently my friend's WTB speedisc standard on his GT Avalache buckled on the Oakes Fire Trail.

__________________
Rob

www.bikenorth.org.au

'07 Giant OCR Composite 3 - R550s with Michi Prorace2

'06 Giant CRX1

'96 Apollo Himalaya commuter - Rigid Fork, slicks, fully racked

DMR Switchback Reynolds 520- Velocity Cliffhangers, SRAM X-9, Easton bar/stem


DMR Trailstar 2 4130- Mavic117, Dice Whiplash, SCUD DH bars, LX 9spd, DMR Crisis Cranks.

'04 Giant VT3 frame - SOLD

1id10t

Hi Rob,

Wheels will make a difference in terms of quality, build, weight and the parts added to them (eg spokes, hubs). I'm sure their are other factors as well which are noticeable between inexpensive and expensive wheelsets.
Having said that I'm a recreational rider with a new family and other hobbies so can't afford to get high end products. However, if (by the products you listed) you are referring to wheels from Cell at Stanmore I would caution against the Alex X2100 rims. The rims are a little on the heavy side but that's not the problem. (I have pair I use as spare commuting wheels) The rims are laced to Quando hubs which are the crappiest hubs I have come across. The rear is so poorly made every cassette I've attached jiggle so badly they rattle when you ride. The hub seems to be too narrow for the cassette it just doesn't sit well on it at all. The hubs on my other wheels are much better and they're not high end items. My other wheels have Shimano105, Shimano Deore, Formula and Sun Ringle hubs). Also, the rathchet in the rear hub makes the most awfully loud click with a tinny and cheap sound to it. Can't comment on the other wheels. I think they have different hubs; just steer clear of the Quandos IMHO.

AzzaC

IMHO, Mavic make the best rims based on price, performance/strength and weight.

So, out of those listed, I would go the Mavic Crossrides. Well known brand, pretty decent hubs, good quality build.

__________________
07 Giant Anthem 0 - lots of mods! XTR, Juicy Ultimates, Mavic Crossmax SLRs and more
05 Specialized Stumpjumper Marathon with Juicy 7's and X0
Surly 1x1 singlespeed
06 Giant TCR1

robalert

thanks!

feedback is great

sounds like Quando hubs are worse than heavy shimano 475s

__________________
Rob

www.bikenorth.org.au

'07 Giant OCR Composite 3 - R550s with Michi Prorace2

'06 Giant CRX1

'96 Apollo Himalaya commuter - Rigid Fork, slicks, fully racked

DMR Switchback Reynolds 520- Velocity Cliffhangers, SRAM X-9, Easton bar/stem


DMR Trailstar 2 4130- Mavic117, Dice Whiplash, SCUD DH bars, LX 9spd, DMR Crisis Cranks.

'04 Giant VT3 frame - SOLD

artemidorus

I've recently made a set from ebay bits: front Magura Pro 2000 (DT Swiss 240) hub, rear Deore LX hub, both with red Velocity Deep V rims and DR Comp. spokes. Strong and very striking! The spokes were the most expensive parts on each wheel...

__________________
"All that we see and seem is but a dream, within a dream..."

robalert

did you weigh them?

__________________
Rob

www.bikenorth.org.au

'07 Giant OCR Composite 3 - R550s with Michi Prorace2

'06 Giant CRX1

'96 Apollo Himalaya commuter - Rigid Fork, slicks, fully racked

DMR Switchback Reynolds 520- Velocity Cliffhangers, SRAM X-9, Easton bar/stem


DMR Trailstar 2 4130- Mavic117, Dice Whiplash, SCUD DH bars, LX 9spd, DMR Crisis Cranks.

'04 Giant VT3 frame - SOLD

artemidorus

I don't have easy access to a sufficiently accurate balance, but I will find one somewhere at work and post the result.

__________________
"All that we see and seem is but a dream, within a dream..."

robalert

I ended up getting a new rear rim from Cellbikes - the Sun BlackEye rims with Novatech hubs $100

So far so good. The initial glitch was that the first rim I got was dished incorrectly so I needed it exchange. No probs with Cellbikes, they just replaced it. I'm sure it wouldn't have of been so easy with Torpedo7 or ebay sellers.

Does anyone know about Novatech hubs?

Also, I was eyeing a custom wheelset from Chainreactioncycles... all up around $220 a set for XT hubs, DT spokes, 717 rims... Similar in price to Mavic Crossrides. For same money which is better?

Is custom better than factory wheelsets?

__________________
Rob

www.bikenorth.org.au

'07 Giant OCR Composite 3 - R550s with Michi Prorace2

'06 Giant CRX1

'96 Apollo Himalaya commuter - Rigid Fork, slicks, fully racked

DMR Switchback Reynolds 520- Velocity Cliffhangers, SRAM X-9, Easton bar/stem


DMR Trailstar 2 4130- Mavic117, Dice Whiplash, SCUD DH bars, LX 9spd, DMR Crisis Cranks.

'04 Giant VT3 frame - SOLD

artemidorus

Rob, I would definitely go for well-built XT/717 over a factory wheelset for MTB/26".

__________________
"All that we see and seem is but a dream, within a dream..."

1id10t

+1 on the XT/717. CRC is pretty good on pricing for various items. I 've bought several items recently and (despite sometimes steep postage costs) have found them to still be cheaper than either most Aust online stores or even local bike shops; and that's with the postage! Saved nearly $50 on a flat bar for my MTB a couple of weeks back buying through them.