Wheelset Upgrade?
gcwebbyuk
Posts: 1,926
I have some spare wonger to splash on my bike (its only a month old, but hey :P )
The bike (Spec Stumpy HT Comp) is running on standard the standard wheelset (F: Spec HiLo R: Custom Shimano M-525 SL Rim: DT Custom X420)
How much of a benefit would splashing out on some XT Factory Wheels be?
Or would it not be worth the £209 (Merlin Cycles).
:idea:
The bike (Spec Stumpy HT Comp) is running on standard the standard wheelset (F: Spec HiLo R: Custom Shimano M-525 SL Rim: DT Custom X420)
How much of a benefit would splashing out on some XT Factory Wheels be?
Or would it not be worth the £209 (Merlin Cycles).
:idea:
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wait until you need to replace something. and if you go for the shimano build you will need new rotors or adaptors for the discs.
and one set has a 20mm front hub as well. and the Qr version is not convertible so if you change the fork to a through axled one you will need new hubs again."Do not follow where the path may lead, Go instead where there is no path, and Leave a Trail."
Parktools :?:SheldonBrown0 -
Thanks for the info - so money in the bank then! :roll:0
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It is a good price compared to the RRP, but I think the RRP was outrageous anyway. Not particularly light either.
I'd save for XTR hubs on 717 rims for XC riding.0 -
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supersonic wrote:It is a good price compared to the RRP, but I think the RRP was outrageous anyway. Not particularly light either.
I'd save for XTR hubs on 717 rims for XC riding.
How about Hope Pro II's?
Stonkingly good in my opinion if u can afford them.0 -
Heavier, bearings are inferior, freehub made of cheese and they keep cracking ;-)0
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Either the XTR bearings got a lot better, or the hope ones got a lot worse...0
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How light would the XTR/717 wheels be?
Weighed the standard wheels today, and after roughly working out the wheel only weight (taking away weights of the individual other bits) - they came out at 1280g for the rear and 840g for the front.
Prices from Merlin - XTR 975 Splined disc hub, X717 Black Disc rims, DT Revolution black spokes
Front - - £104
Rear - £1460 -
Claimed weights for wheelsets are without skewers, but usually include rim tapes or rim strips.
XTR hubs weigh 145 and 275g.
Rims are 400g piece (ish)
Spokes or 280g for 64
Nipples 30g
Tapes 20g
This is a rough of the top of my head calculation, it will vary depending on spoke lengths, nipples used etc.
Total weight = 1550g0 -
So basically just under 500g weight saving.
Are there any other benefits other than a weight saving over what I have?
The standard ones do seem pretty light - I was expecting them to be well over 2kg.0 -
The hubs will last longer - but as with any Shimano hub, precise adjustment is necessary. Handbuilt wheels should stay true much longer.
How much do you weigh? DT Rev spokes more a racers choice, and some report reduced life compared to say DT Comp (though my wheelset with Revs got hammered, and was fine!)0 -
I weigh just shy of 13 stone
I was planning on the wheelset upgrade as a way to shed some extra weight from the bike, and as unsprung weight is the best stuff to lose - wheels were the obvious choice.
However, is less than 500g going to be that noticeable?
Or would it be best to spend the money on other components, or bank it?
Budget is roughly £300ish0 -
For an XC bike, wheel weight is very noticable. 500g is a hefty reduction in this area. Look at your tyres too.0
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Tyres are currently spec fast trak control lk
although soon to be replaced by Mounatin King Protections.
Have also considered going UST.
If I went for the XTR/X717 wheels, what else would I need to get them working? cassette, disc rotors etc0 -
Swap the stuff off your old wheels! Though you may need new centrelok rotors. XTR hubs come with skewers.0
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:oops: Centrelok rotors - does that mean the actual disc itself?
If so - which rotors should I get? As you may guess - am new to disc brakes!0 -
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Rotors fit on in two ways - centrelok (using a splined cassette tool) or 6 bolt (like the ones you have at the minute). If you get splined hubs, you need the splined (centrelock) rotors!
What size are your existing rotors, and what brakes?0 -
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Rims are not UST, but can be converted to a tubless set up.
XT 160mm splined rotors should be fine.0 -
Would there be any benefit to going to XTR rotors? they are only an extra £5 each.
Will this make the braking feel any different from my current Juicy discs?0 -
XTR are lighter, but use a alu spider. It could catch the Avid caliper.
Other option is to use 6 bolt to centrelock adaptors on your hubs, and existing rotors which is a safer option.0 -
hmmm adaptors sound a bit fiddly to me, something else that could go wrong.
how do you mean the spider (is that the bit in the middle) could catch the caliper... is that because they are different sizes?0 -
Yep, the caliper is a different shape. Some people have reported problems with mixing and matching calipers and rotors.
The adapters are a doddle, and work great!
http://www.justridingalong.com/shop.php ... 11a1562264
Out of stock there, but you can see what they are like.0 -
Cool
I take it you can't simply get Avid rotors in splined?
Who would you recommend to do the wheel build - I chose Merlin as my old XT/X517ceramic rims were built by them.
I have the option to get a better cassette at the same time - standard one is shimano HG50 9-speed.
shimano or sram?
buying new wheels isnt as simple as i first thought!0 -
Not that I have seen, but some companies may make them that are 100% compatible. So many combos of rotor/caliper out there, sometimes best to stick with what you know!
I'd choose merlin too, both my sets from them have been great.
New cassette would mean new chain too. I'd just swap the old one over, and replace both when they finally wear out.0 -
Not that I have seen, but some companies may make them that are 100% compatible. So many combos of rotor/caliper out there, sometimes best to stick with what you know!
I'd choose merlin too, both my sets from them have been great.
New cassette would mean new chain too. I'd just swap the old one over, and replace both when they finally wear out.0 -
Why would it need a new chain?
Its a SRAM PC-971 w/ Power Link
Ok will weight up all the options and make a decision!
Thanks for your help 8)0 -
Chains and cassettes wear togther, and keep a pitch. If you put an old chain on a new cassette, it will wear it quick, and skip until to does.0
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chain and cassete has probably only covered 70 odd miles - will that have worn much yet?0
