Beefier front wheel for Alps?

darren555
darren555 Posts: 194
edited February 2011 in MTB buying advice
I'm planning a backcountry week around Les Arcs on my Rockhopper Pro hardtail.
All the advice I have seen so far recommends fat tyres (preferably tubeless) and plenty of travel.
I'm happy with my 100mm Reba's and am currently running on Hope Hoops with Mavic 717 rims and Nevegal 2.1 tyres.

I am considering getting another front wheel for the trip with a wider rim so I can put a Nevegal or Blue Groove 2.35 on it, but still sticking with innertubes.
I'll deffo get another Hope hub but not sure which rim. Also is it worth going straight pull?

What do you reckon?

Comments

  • cavegiant
    cavegiant Posts: 1,546
    double butted spokes are stronger than straight pull due to the crystal layup during manufacture.

    The 717 is a remarkably flimsy rim, nice for racing, but prone to damage.

    I would get a cheap AM wheel for the week, superstar components could set you up for cheap.

    You bike isn't a hardcore bike, so just get something cheap and burley for the fun days, and stick the race wheels back for the rest.

    If you do not like UST, have you looked up ghetto tubeless?
    Why would I care about 150g of bike weight, I just ate 400g of cookies while reading this?
  • davewalsh
    davewalsh Posts: 587
    Why front wheel ? IMO you're more likely to wreck the back due to lack of suspension. Also, for the cost of a hope wheel with a beefy rim, could you not hire a more appropriate bike for the week ?

    If you do go for a new wheel I'd recommend Stans Flow rim with DT comp spokes. That's what I'm running at the moment and am well impressed :D

    Don't bother with straight pull for a foreign trip, much harder to get replacements if you break one.
    Blue Pig
    Inbred
  • darren555
    darren555 Posts: 194
    As I understand it, the backcountry weeks are a bit more climbing and singletrack orientated so I though having a wheel capable of sticking a fat tyre on the front would just about do and stop my arms taking so much stick.
  • davewalsh
    davewalsh Posts: 587
    If that's the case I'd go for a Hope Hoop with either a Crest of Flow rim. The Crest is wider, lighter and stronger than your current Mavic, while the Flow is even wider and stronger but also heavier. 18 bikes are doing them for £120 with all the bits needed to run tubeless, so worth giving it a go and if you don't get along with it, put a tube in !
    Blue Pig
    Inbred
  • Dave_P1
    Dave_P1 Posts: 565
    Your more likely to damage a back wheel out there than a front. I wouldn't worry about going tubeless, I've been riding out there for years and never had any problems.
    Product & Race Reviews Here
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  • maddog 2
    maddog 2 Posts: 8,114
    Flows are good but not cheap. If it's just for the Alps then I suggest something cheaper such as a Mavic D521 or 321 on Deore from Merlin.

    I've just put together some Alps wheels myself this week. Bought them s/hand though. 321s on Bulb front hub and XT rear. Running them both tubeless - Schwalbe Fat Alberts: UST 2.25 on the rear and a standard 2.4 tyre running ghetto on the front.

    I agree though, it's the rear that will take the hammer.

    If it was me (and I've done the Alps a few times now) I'd buy a pair of burly wheels and fit nice big tyres, preferrably tubeless. I'd also fit a nice short stem and wide risers.

    You'll be riding downhill a lot! So set it up as tough and bmxy as possible.
    Facts are meaningless, you can use facts to prove anything that's remotely true! - Homer

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