Wheelset advice

rumple4skin

Howdo
Im looking for a light weight wheelset for my trek 9.8(2005) hardtail,looked all over the net to the point my head nearly exploded with all the hype and bullsh$t and reviews that contradict/conflict themselves.My riding style on this bike is not hardcore hucking but more like long distance/adventure riding.

My budget at a push is £400,and i've short listed a few wheelsets,all of them come with mixed reviews.
1)second hand mavic crossmax sl's...good wheels but cant afford new ones
2)new FSA XC300 SL...nice and light but have weak nipple problems 8O so im lead to belive.
3)FULCRUM RED METAL 3...good looking,light,very mavic like hubs and spokes,anybody using these at the moment??
4)SPINERGY XYCLONE DISC...nice looking and i must admit my favourite wheelset,pretty cheap from the U.S.A.But lack of U.K retailers for spares,and some issues with badly machined rear hub,and some bearing issues,but like i said before many reviews also rate them...anybody out there using them?i would like to hear your advice.
thank you for your time

The Spiderman

I`d go for,either Hope Pro 3 with Stans ZTR rims from here:http://www.wheelpro.co.uk/

Review here:http://www.bikeradar.com/gear/category/components/wheel-sets/product/pro-3-sp-xc3-wheels-09-34883

or the DT swiss 240 hubs with 4.2 rims from Merlin.

http://www.merlincycles.co.uk/mountain-and-road-bike-wheels/special-offer-custom-bike-wheels/dt-240s-wheel-offer.html

MacAndCheese

Have you looked at some of the Hope Hoops (Hope hubs with Dt swiss rims). I'm running hope pro 3 Straight pull hubs on DT 4.2D rims and have been very please with them. Just under £350 for the pair. and hubs are easy to service yourself.

http://www.wiggle.co.uk/p/cycle/7/Hope_Hoops_Pro3_SP-XC6_Rear_Wheel/5360045106/

Note the picture is not correct on wiggle, click the Kona in my signature.

Salsa

Dt240's are sweet hubs, no mega annoying noisy click like Hopes & a great star ratchet system. I just upgraded mine to the latest 36 point 10 degree engagement ratchet kit & that's made them even better.

bomberesque

hope pro3s sound good. I have the pro2s and they're good. Also, Easton XCOnes I have on the singlespeed and they're nice and light, surprisingly stiff and have a (mercifully compared to the hope) quiet freewheel

otherwise

XTR wheels if they can be had in budget (I think you'll struggle)
Handbuilts from Merlin. for 400 you can have almost anything they can build you but 717s on XTR hubs with DB spokes would be my call.

Tank-slapper

I like the 240s as well, although they are expensive. The ZTR rims are excellent.

Salsa wrote:

Dt240's are sweet hubs, no mega annoying noisy click like Hopes & a great star ratchet system. I just upgraded mine to the latest 36 point 10 degree engagement ratchet kit & that's made them even better.

Where did you get the new ratchet from?

Salsa

Tank-slapper wrote:

I like the 240s as well, although they are expensive. The ZTR rims are excellent.

Salsa wrote:

Dt240's are sweet hubs, no mega annoying noisy click like Hopes & a great star ratchet system. I just upgraded mine to the latest 36 point 10 degree engagement ratchet kit & that's made them even better.

Where did you get the new ratchet from?

I bought them from the US >
https://www.universalcycles.com/shoppin ... p?id=32030

Product 32030-72997
$32 & $29 shipping, arrived in 5 days & probably at a lower cost than they will be when released in the UK.