Wheel upgrade

anubis5289
anubis5289 Posts: 47
edited May 2009 in MTB buying advice
Curently I've got the stock wheels that came with my Rockhopper. Think it's XC317 rims and a deore hub and specialised hub ( not sure which is on the front or back as I'm away from my bike at the moment). I manly do XC and not many drops over about 2 foot.

I was thinking about going for Pro II hubs and XC717 rims or XT hubs and XC717 rims. There's so many different XT wheelsets on the Merlin website that I wouldn't know what one to get. One other thing is spoke choice. Don't have a scooby about that.

Opinions? Also how much weight would I be looking to save?

Comments

  • supersonic
    supersonic Posts: 82,708
    How much do you weigh? Do you ride particularly hard?
    GT ZASKAR CARBON TEAM

    VOODOO CANZO

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  • anubis5289
    anubis5289 Posts: 47
    Roughly 65kg so I'm just a light guy. And yeah I say I'd ride relatively hard, probably a bit harder than XC anyway. I'm open to all suggestions but probably a budget of around £250ish but could go higher if it's worth it.
  • supersonic
    supersonic Posts: 82,708
    XT on 717 is the classic budget XC favourite and will be a bit cheaper than the Hope Pro2. You would save probably 250-300g over your existing set, and with the Hopes an extra 70g or so courtesy if the aluminium freehub that the rear has.

    At the top end of the budget the Hope is worth considering, or Nuke Proof hubs for a bit less (or DMR revolver). DT double butted spokes woyld be my choice with brass nipples. 719 rims if you feel extra strength is required, but it would add another 130g. I think 717 would be fine though.
    GT ZASKAR CARBON TEAM

    VOODOO CANZO

    Come and see me at https://www.facebook.com/biketyke/
  • anubis5289
    anubis5289 Posts: 47
    Thanks for the help. I'll probably go for the Pro II option and get myself a new XT cassette to go with it. Don't want the crap one I have now to chew it up!

    Just two more quick questions.
    Is Merlin the place to go for the hand built wheels?
    Will the QR skewers I have currently work fine with the Pro II's?
  • supersonic
    supersonic Posts: 82,708
    Merlin employ some very good builders.

    And yep!

    The standard ACI butted spokes are very good. I use them all the time.
    GT ZASKAR CARBON TEAM

    VOODOO CANZO

    Come and see me at https://www.facebook.com/biketyke/
  • anubis5289
    anubis5289 Posts: 47
    Righto thanks again. Got a good idea about what I need now.

    Cheers!
  • mattv@gacycles
    mattv@gacycles Posts: 15
    hello if you have 280 ish hope hoops are worth a look saves on price of spokes and wheel build 8)
    www.gacycles.co.uk

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