Wheel upgrade advice wanted.

gkf9

Having almost changed every part on my Gt Avalanche 1.0 2008 apart from bars and stem.
I am now looking to change my wheels from the ones it came with:

Jalco 6061 (rims )
Shimano ( hubs )

To some Merlin custom build:

Mavic XC 717 (rims )
Shimano Xt ( hubs )

and DT Revolution spokes

Can anyone tell me if the Mavics 717 are a good wheel and if they are better and lighter
than the Jalco already on my bike?

Also will they improve the ride any better?
Thanks for any advice in advance.
Ps my budget is about £140 for a set.

Splasher

Assuming you want lightweight XC wheels, the XC717s are fantastic rims and XT hubs are very good for the money. Make sure you get hubs that match your brakes (6 bolt or centre-lock). As for spokes, Revelations are light but for the extra 50g I'd go for DT comps. Much stronger and more likely to stay true.

sicknewt

Sorry to hijack this thread but want to know if anyone know anything about Xero wheels? Found these on ebay...

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=120182992183&ssPageName=STRK:MEWA:IT&ih=002

Mentioned this in another thread but got no replies!

scars

I had exactly that setup on a custom build, the xc717s are a real light rim but lasted me 3 months of moderate XC use.

I dont know how you ride but they wasnt right for me..

scars

I had exactly that setup on a custom build, the xc717s are a real light rim but lasted me 3 months of moderate XC use.

I dont know how you ride but they wasnt right for me..

se96djre

I'm about to change the wheels on the exact same bike having seriously buckled the front wheel (as well as my nose) on a jump last weekend. I'm on a bit of a budget and a friend recommended Mavic EN321 rims on a deore or LX hub. I'm mainly doing a bit of XC with the odd bit of the harder stuff.

CraigXXL

GKF9, I did the same as you but opted for the Hope Pro II hubs with 717 from Merlin. You won't notice the weight difference but you feel the build quality. The wheels feel much sturdier yet springy if thats the right word. You but the pedal down and wheel seems to unleash the energy and spring forward.

You won't regret it. What tyres are you going for?

lesz42

sicknewt wrote:

Sorry to hijack this thread but want to know if anyone know anything about Xero wheels? Found these on ebay...

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=120182992183&ssPageName=STRK:MEWA:IT&ih=002

Mentioned this in another thread but got no replies!

think i have seen them at halfords for £90?

supersonic

XERO do a few wheelsets, across the price spectrum. Personally for that money I'd stick with the classic shimano/mavic handbuilt combo.

gkf9

CraigXXL wrote:

GKF9, I did the same as you but opted for the Hope Pro II hubs with 717 from Merlin. You won't notice the weight difference but you feel the build quality. The wheels feel much sturdier yet springy if thats the right word. You but the pedal down and wheel seems to unleash the energy and spring forward.

You won't regret it. What tyres are you going for?

Thinking of putting on Panaracer cinder

Have they lasted you..just a bit worried about one of the comments above said they only
lasted about 3months!!

gkf9

Splasher wrote:

Assuming you want lightweight XC wheels, the XC717s are fantastic rims and XT hubs are very good for the money. Make sure you get hubs that match your brakes (6 bolt or centre-lock). As for spokes, Revelations are light but for the extra 50g I'd go for DT comps. Much stronger and more likely to stay true.

ok think i will go for the dt comps on your advice if they are stronger...thanks

CraigXXL

gkf9 wrote:

CraigXXL wrote:

GKF9, I did the same as you but opted for the Hope Pro II hubs with 717 from Merlin. You won't notice the weight difference but you feel the build quality. The wheels feel much sturdier yet springy if thats the right word. You but the pedal down and wheel seems to unleash the energy and spring forward.

You won't regret it. What tyres are you going for?

Thinking of putting on Panaracer cinder

Have they lasted you..just a bit worried about one of the comments above said they only
lasted about 3months!!

I've had no problems with them. They are as true as the day I got them and with my excessive weight and far from smooth riding style I would say they have been truely tested. Only problems I've had are with the freewheel and skewers both Hope items. The freewheel is showing wear on the splines from the steel part of an XT cassette which I've been assured on here is normal and the skewers can be awkward to undo, again a well documented problem. Both of these you won't witness if you are getting XT hubs.

If you are concerned over the rims then go for 719's I don't think you will need 721 unless you run some wide tyres that on the Avalanche would rub the stays anyway.

I've got the Panaracer Fire XC on just because I'm a fan of these do all tyres but I've heard good reports too on the Cinders as a fast tyre.

gkf9

gkf9 wrote:

Splasher wrote:

Assuming you want lightweight XC wheels, the XC717s are fantastic rims and XT hubs are very good for the money. Make sure you get hubs that match your brakes (6 bolt or centre-lock). As for spokes, Revelations are light but for the extra 50g I'd go for DT comps. Much stronger and more likely to stay true.

ok think i will go for the dt comps on your advice if they are stronger...thanks

Ok thanks for putting my mind at ease CraigXXL..Think i will go for the 717 rims, i only do Xc
riding no jumping etc..so think they will do!!

Thanks again

gkf9

CraigXXL wrote:

GKF9, I did the same as you but opted for the Hope Pro II hubs with 717 from Merlin. You won't notice the weight difference but you feel the build quality. The wheels feel much sturdier yet springy if thats the right word. You but the pedal down and wheel seems to unleash the energy and spring forward.

You won't regret it. What tyres are you going for?

Ps Will i get the skewers and rim tape supplied?

kegs

Don't think you will get the rim tape and skewers.

If the skewers you have on your avalanche are shimano ones I'd keep them, shimano skewers are about the best around anyway.

gkf9

kegs wrote:

Don't think you will get the rim tape and skewers.

If the skewers you have on your avalanche are shimano ones I'd keep them, shimano skewers are about the best around anyway.

Ok cheers...think they are GT skewers so will keep them.

CraigXXL

gkf9 wrote:

CraigXXL wrote:

GKF9, I did the same as you but opted for the Hope Pro II hubs with 717 from Merlin. You won't notice the weight difference but you feel the build quality. The wheels feel much sturdier yet springy if thats the right word. You but the pedal down and wheel seems to unleash the energy and spring forward.

You won't regret it. What tyres are you going for?

Ps Will i get the skewers and rim tape supplied?

With XT hubs you will get the skewers with them, tape on all rims

The Spiderman

I have a pair of Merlin built XT/717s which I bought secondhand for £80.I`m no lightweight at 14 stone,and I`ve given them plenty of stick around Swinley and locally and they are still true.
Even though they aren`t the lightest wheel,they are good value,and likely to be at least 1/2 lb lighter than your current set.

gkf9

CraigXXL wrote:

gkf9 wrote:

CraigXXL wrote:

GKF9, I did the same as you but opted for the Hope Pro II hubs with 717 from Merlin. You won't notice the weight difference but you feel the build quality. The wheels feel much sturdier yet springy if thats the right word. You but the pedal down and wheel seems to unleash the energy and spring forward.

You won't regret it. What tyres are you going for?

Ps Will i get the skewers and rim tape supplied?

With XT hubs you will get the skewers with them, tape on all rims

Thanks for the info