Hope Hoops Stans Flow

peter413

Need new wheels sometime soon as my current ones never stay true more than 5 days

So couple of questions about the Hope Hoops with Stans Flow rims:

How tough are they in comparison to rims like the DT EX500 an Mavix EX 721?

Will it be ok to use ordinary tyres like 2.35 SP Minions with the Yellow tape included with the extra Hope kit or do I have to use the UST versions. Only wondering because would rather not have a tyre that weighs over a kilo but I will if I have to.

Finally, not that important though, does anyone know whether they come with black or silver spokes and is there anywhere I could get them with red hubs instead of the usual black ones

RevellRider

Stans Flows aren't as strong as the Mavic or the DT options. They are lighter though, if you can't keep your current wheel straight I'd go for the Mavic rims as the extra weight isn't that much (approx 100g per rim).

Are you planning to run the tyres tubeless or with tubes?

The Hope Hoops come with black spokes as standard and coloured hubs are available. You will need to order from a Tech Centre. They are certain high end dealers that have been 'upgraded' by Hope to get coloured hubs for wheelsets.

Dick Scruttock

RevellRider wrote:

The Hope Hoops come with black spokes as standard and coloured hubs are available. You will need to order from a Tech Centre. They are certain high end dealers that have been 'upgraded' by Hope to get coloured hubs for wheelsets.

Depends what hoops you go for. Pro3 SP 4 AM's are only available with black hubs.

TBH i have had no issues with my AM4's on flows but i only weight 12 stone rtr. Depends what you weight in at i guess. (I also run 355's on SP3's and have had no issues on exactly the same trails).

peter413

I weigh 14 stone and I am not the smoothest of riders, especially on rocks which there are a lot of at Innerleithen and Glentress and my current rims are DT X455's.

I would be going for the Pro II hubs and was hoping to run them tubeless with non UST tyres although I wouldn't mind using the UST version.

Which Tech centres will do coloured hubs, my LBS is a tech centre but they said they couldn't get coloured hubs, just black.

I was thinking of going for the DT's instead of the Mavics but are the Mavics much stronger

Dick Scruttock

18 bikes in hope can do pro 2 hoops in all hub colours.

peter413

Rick Draper wrote:

18 bikes in hope can do pro 2 hoops in all hub colours.

How do you get them though, there is only options for rim choice.

Do I have to email them or something

M1llh0use

hope tech shops....


http://www.hopetech.com/database/tech%20shop%20page.pdf

Anonymous

I've just ordered a set of Stan's ZTR Arch on Pro2 from Freeborn bikes in Esher.

They also do Flows, you can choose what ever colour of hubs/spokes/rims/nipples you like and even the Hope 10mm bolt in rear, much more secure than a QR rear end.

http://www.freeborn.co.uk/stans-notubes-ztr-flow-wheelset-2

I'm going to run mine with Specialised Roval tubless rim tape, Stan's valves and Stan's sealant, normal folding Maxxis tyres.

camerone

peter413 wrote:

I weigh 14 stone and I am not the smoothest of riders, especially on rocks which there are a lot of at Innerleithen and Glentress and my current rims are DT X455's.

I would be going for the Pro II hubs and was hoping to run them tubeless with non UST tyres although I wouldn't mind using the UST version.

Which Tech centres will do coloured hubs, my LBS is a tech centre but they said they couldn't get coloured hubs, just black.

I was thinking of going for the DT's instead of the Mavics but are the Mavics much stronger

i have Hope hubs on 2 bikes, one has Mavic 717 and the other has DT 4.2 rims.
I will be going MAvic next time, the DT rims seem softer to me, rear is always going out of true.

BUT - the MAvics were built by LBS the DTs were Hope Hoops, i shall be getting the LBS to make my wheels in future the Hopes were not very well tensioned at first, may well be luck of the draw i guess.

my advice FWIW - Mavic rims get them built by LBS.

peter413

Like I said, my LBS is on that list (Hub In The Forest) but they can't get them.

Thanks anyway, 18 bikes do them, just can't work out how to order the colour

peter413

camerone wrote:

i have Hope hubs on 2 bikes, one has Mavic 717 and the other has DT 4.2 rims.
I will be going MAvic next time, the DT rims seem softer to me, rear is always going out of true.

BUT - the MAvics were built by LBS the DTs were Hope Hoops, i shall be getting the LBS to make my wheels in future the Hopes were not very well tensioned at first, may well be luck of the draw i guess.

my advice FWIW - Mavic rims get them built by LBS.

I will be getting them checked out by an expert that sees my current wheels like every week or two to get them re trued so he knows what I am like with wheels

He will sort out any tension issues for like a fiver probably

BTW, the DT you have will be softer since it is one of the XC rims, not am AM one. The 5.1/EX500 rim is the one I am thinking about

camerone

peter413 wrote:

camerone wrote:

i have Hope hubs on 2 bikes, one has Mavic 717 and the other has DT 4.2 rims.
I will be going MAvic next time, the DT rims seem softer to me, rear is always going out of true.

BUT - the MAvics were built by LBS the DTs were Hope Hoops, i shall be getting the LBS to make my wheels in future the Hopes were not very well tensioned at first, may well be luck of the draw i guess.

my advice FWIW - Mavic rims get them built by LBS.

I will be getting them checked out by an expert that sees my current wheels like every week or two to get them re trued so he knows what I am like with wheels

He will sort out any tension issues for like a fiver probably

BTW, the DT you have will be softer since it is one of the XC rims, not am AM one. The 5.1/EX500 rim is the one I am thinking about

noted on the DT rim, but i am comparing to a Mavic 717 which is their equivalent xc rim, never any issues on a heckler with fox 36's and big drops

peter413

I should probably say this is going on a HT as well so the hits are even bigger to wheels

lawman

all dt rims are soft, even the AM ones, and although not as soft as the DT's the stans rims are quite soft too. i had a set of mavic xc717s and gave them far more than cross country abuse on my hardtail and they never went out of true or dented, so id say go with a mavic 719,721 or 321

peter413

It looks like the Mavics then.

How easy is it to convert the 721's to tubeless if I so wish.

My thinking is that I want a 2.5 Minion when I get a new front tyre and that is only available in ST in dual ply or UST so I may as well go tubeless.

I am thinking of a tubeless Larsen on the back in the summer and another Minion on the rear. Will I only need a Stans rim strip for each rim and the solution

lawman

if you want tubless may be woth considering the 823, mega strong and UST as standard

ride_whenever

IF you're wanting to go tubeless get a proper tubeless rim and tubeless ready tyres, it is the best method available.

peter413

I just found the 823 rim on Pro 2's for the same price as ordinary Hope Hoops.

They are Silver ACI spokes though. Silver I can put up with but are ACI spokes any good.

If not I will probably get them relaced with DT spokes since it will still be cheaper to do this than build them from scratch

ride_whenever

ACI spokes are fine, as long as they're double butted.

I had them in my first wheelset from merlin and they flawless right up to the point they were knicked, along with the bike.

peter413

Just been on the shop itself and can get DT spokes for around 300 quid fully built with lots of axel options as I would like wither a 10mm bolt up or thru axel so I will probably get them there.

Still got to get the money for them somehow though, hopefully sooner than later

Northwind

823s are a lot of rim, you sure it's worth the weight penalty? (and does the claimed weight for 823s include the ferrules, or is it like the 819 where they quote a completely crooked weight by ignoring them even though they're a part of the rim?) They'll be the strongest part of your bike by miles so it might be a bit redundant.

Flows are a good balance for allround riding, should suit your bike and use well- very strong for the weight, nice wide bed for decent sized tyres, and tubeless o'course. People compare them with 819s just because they're similiar weight but the weaker Arch is their 819 competitor and still pwns it...

I can't speak for the quality of the standard Hope Hoop build but mine have been fantastic, couldn't ask more really. But I don't know how much of that is Wheelpro and how much is Hope.

peter413

I am a bit wary about the Flows now though after seeing what I do to my current DT's and I know they are pretty strong.

I know the 823's will be overkill for me but I'm a bit heavier than you Northwind and not very smooth

I am going to get some DH tyres anyway so I am not to worried about another extra 200g a wheel. I will still have my current wheels if I need lighter ones occasionally.

I would like lighter rims but I don't want to faff around with conversion kits so it has to be a UST compatible rim or be able to take the Stans yellow tape etc.

I tried out Morray's hardtail with DH tyres and I think an 823 rim on the front and it felt great, I could really tell how flexy my wheels are compared to them and it didn't feel to to heavy. You might even be able to beat me up hills if I get them

Northwind

Fair play, but your X455s are an XC rim, and yours have had a decent life already haven't they? They're tough for what they are but there's no comparison with the Flows or similiar. I wouldn't lurch too far in the other direction.

Think the bottom line is the rest of the bike won't be able to cash the cheques a set of 823s can write, if you're going to start regularily riding stuff that a Flow can't stand up to then they'll not be the only thing struggling... I've nothing against extra weight if it's doing something but I reckon it'll be redundant strength.

That said, you could fit motorbike wheels and still beat me up the climbs

peter413

My bike has changed a bit since you last saw it.

It now has the X9 drivetrain, Fox Floats, Avid Elixir on the rear so its much tougher than it was.

Now I just need new wheels. I'm just not sure how much to trust the Flows. I know they are strong but are they strong enough for me. You know me, I can get a little to enthusastic quite easily

MarkLG

I've just got a pair of XM819's built onto Hope Hubs with DT DB spokes for £300 or thereabouts from Merlin's website.
I can't remember if you can spec hub colour when ordering, but no doubt they would if you ordered over the phone.
The build quality is excellent and delivery in 5 days. Maxxis UST tyres go straight on without additional rim strips.
I weighed them when they came and they're only 80 grams more than my Hope Hoops with XR400 rims, so the quoted weight can't be too far out. You save a bit of weight by not using rim strips as well.

joec1

I Love my Flow's a few heavy offs and they have stood well, with minor "truing"

Northwind

peter413 wrote:

It now has the X9 drivetrain, Fox Floats, Avid Elixir on the rear so its much tougher than it was.

Drivetrain's not all that relevant but it's still a 456 with Float 32s on (assuming you went for the 32s in the end?) so downhill wheels are a bit out of spec. Good solid all mountain rims would fit it better.

peter413

I was looking at the 819's but wasn't sure if they are any stronger than Flows.

I will probably steal a ride on Northwinds bike when it has the Flows on so I can judge for myself ie. ride them hard as usual and pay to get them trued if they need it. If they do, they are not strong enough

peter413

Yeah, they are 32's.

I'm now thinking about getting some 36's and lowering them maybe next year or the year after, assuming I still have the bike then

Northwind

peter413 wrote:

I was looking at the 819's but wasn't sure if they are any stronger than Flows.

I will probably steal a ride on Northwinds bike when it has the Flows on so I can judge for myself ie. ride them hard as usual and pay to get them trued if they need it. If they do, they are not strong enough

I took mine all the way down the world cup dh the other week and they didn't even notice With a wee helping of TERROR ROCKS at Laggan and 6 more runs down the nevis red. None of it massively taxing because of my slow pace, hardly DH racing but still hard work for a trail bike ridden by a noob. You'd be able to bend them mid-crash but then, crash hard enough and you'll bend anything, ask Sam Hill.

Should be at the next fairies session if you fancy a go, I want to see what you've done with this 456 so we could sort pressures etc and swap for a decent ride. Not that there's an awful lot at GT that should test any decent wheel.

819s are weaker than Flows, and also heavier and narrower. They're fairly equivalent to Archs I gather though i don't know which is stronger. Don't know why Mavic don't make an 821... You'd probably be fine with 819s but I can't see any point to them now, they're outclassed by the Stans.

peter413

That would be great.

The red as a whole can be pretty hard on wheels especially things like Lombard Street and The Wormhole and of course all my dodgy landings/casings one the jumps at the FR