Swapping wheels

judith_sw

Hi,

I've just got a new Giant Anthem X4 and have an old Marin Nail Trail. The LBS thought that the wheels on the Marin could be compatible with the Anthem and suggested that I might be able to interchange the two, having different types of tyre on each to suit the conditions.

The disc rotors are the same size, with Shimano M486 brakes on the Giant and Shimano Deore brakes on the Marin (upgraded 2 years ago). Both bikes have a 9 speed cassette (11-34 on the Giant and 11-32 on the Marin). The Giant cassette is brand new, but the Marin one is not and has probably done c.150 miles.

My question is whether it is a good idea to interchange the wheels as suggested, and if I want to do this, should I get a new cassette for the Marin? Are there any potential pitfalls / things to watch out for?

Cheers!

nicklouse

you may need to rest the calipers after each swap but this can be alleviated by shimming one set of rotor sto match the other.

also you may need to re set the rear gears.

if the old cassette is worn yes.

judith_sw

The Marin cassette isn't particularly worn, but I could get a new one to match the one on the Giant. Would it also be a good idea to get the same rotors or is it more a case of having the calipers set the same? I'm a novice when it comes to disc brakes, so would need to read up on that first / visit the LBS!

Thanks

supersonic

As per other post:

One of the wheelsets will most likely need the rotors shimmed so they are in the same place. And your gears may still nee adjusting everytime you swap.

Often easier just to change the tyres, though of course with tubeless this is harder. Lightweight tubes and tyres are often no heavier than a tubeless set up.

WHat would be your budget for a new wheel set, and what do you have at the moment?

judith_sw

Thanks supersonic - I need to clarify / amend my original post, especially as the idea of swapping wheels from an existing bike now seems as if it won't be possible after all.

I currently have the Mavic XM 117 disc wheels that came with the bike (hubs = Formula at front and Shimano M475 at rear). It would certainly be an easier and cheaper option just to swap tyres as needs be, especially if I cannot rule out the need to adjust the gears each time. I thought that perhaps by having a dedicated second set that this constant adjusting could be ruled out.

Re. budget, difficult to say exactly,but I guess around the £200 mark front and rear and including QR mechs (but probably excluding the rotors). I'm not sure how advisable buying S/H wheels is, although I've seen that they appear fairly frequently in the Classifieds.

supersonic

That budget would buy you a nice new set such as XT hubs built onto Mavic 717 rims or Fulcrum Red Metal 5.

These would be lighter and more durable than what you have.

judith_sw

Thank you. Could be ones to save up for, so I now need to weigh up (no pun intended) the pros and cons of swapping over tyres (cheaper) as opposed to adjusting gears (and having some lighter, better wheels). The wheels as supplied are fine for now, but I suspect that they are at the more budget end of the bike's spec.