Upgrading wheels, what should I go for?

V5ade
V5ade Posts: 192
edited June 2010 in MTB buying advice
I've got a Stumpjumper Expert with a damaged front wheel so it's a good time to upgrade.
Currently the wheel specs are as follows:
Front Hub:Hi Lo disc, CNC flange, sealed cartridge bearing, 9mm DT RWS, alloy quick release, 28 holeRear Hub:Custom DT Swiss 330SL with alloy freehub, DT RWS quick release, 32 holeSpokes:DT Swiss Competition 1.8/1.6mm stainless

I mainly ride trail so don't need anything bomb proof, but the new wheels need to be stronger and lighter.
Anyone got any suggestions?
Somewhere in the Surrey Hills :-)

Comments

  • V5ade
    V5ade Posts: 192
    I'd welcome any suggestions for strong, light wheels (better spec than above) :)
    Somewhere in the Surrey Hills :-)
  • njee20
    njee20 Posts: 9,613
    What do you want over those? Lighter? Tougher?

    I'd say the Hope Hoops on your choice of rim (I'd go for the Crest) they'll be lighter and likely tougher too.
  • nickfrog
    nickfrog Posts: 610
    edited June 2010
    Try and weigh your current wheels without cassette/rotors/tape/skewers to know where you are and get more pertinent / relevant advice. They might be surprisingly light or heavy.
    No point spending money on something that may or may not be an upgrade.
    2007 Commencal NUTS5 Superteam
  • jairaj
    jairaj Posts: 3,009
    There are already a lot of general "what wheel" threads about so you may not get too much response. A bit more info would help though.

    - Budget ?
    - whats the current wheel weight?
    - Do you want to stick with the DT Swiss RWS or happy to go to normal QR?
    - Any tubeless requirements?
  • V5ade
    V5ade Posts: 192
    Thanks for the replies, I'll weigh them tonight.
    Currently I'm not bothered about keeping the DT Swiss RWS, I wouldn't want to spend more than £300-400.
    I'm currently running tubeless, and I'd like the new wheels to be ready for tubeless.
    Somewhere in the Surrey Hills :-)
  • jairaj
    jairaj Posts: 3,009
    assuming your current rims are DT swiss and you have the rim strip to convert them to tubeless: you could probably go for something like a DT swiss 240 hub with XR4.2 rims built from Merlin. should come in roughly on budget I think.

    Or you could go for a Stans Crest or Alpine rim. Depending on your weight and riding style. Crest is a average XC rim slightly heavier but stringer, Alpine is a XC race rim lighter weight but less stronger.

    This is all speculation until we get your current wheel weights.
  • njee20
    njee20 Posts: 9,613
    They're heavy wheels, I'd suggest any of these would be a reasonable saving!

    For that budget I'd look at American Classic, or ZTR hubs on ZTR Alpines, the latter would be my personal choice.

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