XC Rim Choice

marshall_a
marshall_a Posts: 90
edited July 2011 in MTB buying advice
ok, so now have my annual bonus so looking to do some upgrades before it get allocated to household projects etc. and as I was planning on doing upgrades to the drivetrain thought why not a new set of wheels as well.

What I need some help with is what sort of Rims should I be looking for. I do mainly XC (bridleways, trail centre reds Dalby, N.York moors) so no big drop offs, mad downhills etc. and I currently weight approx 90kg but reducing.
Currently have the stock Alex RHD rims on my 2010 Rockhopper comp and have only needed the front trued once basiclly because I rode it with a very loose spoke and tried to correct myself :oops: making things worst, rear has not needed to be touched.

So, am I too big really for ZTR Crest / XC717 ? and should I be looking at Archs/Flows/XM719 etc? (haven't a clue where the alex rims match strenght wise) plus will I feel a difference compared to my current wheels?
would be going hope hoops or Merlin build, budget "around" the £300 mark.

Comments

  • supersonic
    supersonic Posts: 82,708
    Are you wanting a whole new wheelset?
    GT ZASKAR CARBON TEAM

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  • marshall_a
    marshall_a Posts: 90
    Yes, would use the current ones for road use with slicks if it was worthwhile
  • marshall_a
    marshall_a Posts: 90
    reason for post is I am wondering how light weight on the Rims I could realisically go.

    LBS is a hope dealer, so if I went with that option then I'd like to support them, so not really a "where's cheapest" thread, but just have a feeling I fit into the cat. where archs would be ideal so would maybe need to shop elsewhere :?
  • leaflite
    leaflite Posts: 1,651
    Take a look at the new american classic all mountain wheelset (2011 version, not 2010)

    They say it is strong enough for all mountain
    no weight limit
    switchable axle hubs
    1546g iirc complete

    A bit over budget at around £400
    GT Hardtail
    The Apollo Project
    Titus FTM Carbon
  • njee20
    njee20 Posts: 9,613
    Hope Hoops on Crests for my money, sure they'll be fine! Saying that the AMCs look good, but their hub durability's not as good.
  • Zziplex
    Zziplex Posts: 190
    I'm 90+Kg ish and have crests with AM hubs (15mm front), they weigh around 1360g, so quite a bit lighter than using hope hubs and a fair bit lighter than Crossmax SLR.

    Not had any trouble with them on my 150mm Full sus bike as of yet (touch wood), but only had 6 rides or so.

    Rear sounds mint, much easier to service than DT swiss, pick up speed something rapid, not British and so actually work, look understated but fairly expensive but much cheaper than SLR option.
    Guinness for strength
  • njee20
    njee20 Posts: 9,613
    I've got some A2Z disc hubs which so far have been superb - very light, dirt cheap, fantastic rolling. I don't expect bearing life to be good, but so far (probably 50 hours use) they've been fantastic. Maybe worth a look, mine are 1246g with Podiums and Revolutions, using Crests and Super Comps they'd come in under budget and still be sub-1400g. If you fancy sommat different.
  • marshall_a
    marshall_a Posts: 90
    Thanks, if your confident I'll be fine with crests then that sorts that part out. Will look into the other options on the hubs also. Not scared of doing maintainace type of stuff, just have a habit of making things worst to start out with :oops:

    Need to keep it as close to £300 for the wheels though, as I need to factor in the extras like cassette (xt) and rotors, plus other planned/already ordered upgrades, but then I always end up spending more than I planned. Good news though I don't need to replace the worn parts on the wifes bike :D she's decided she wants a new one instead :shock:
  • Briggo
    Briggo Posts: 3,537
    http://www.lexs.co.uk/Default.aspx?ProductId=21339

    Lots of nice rims to choose from in your price bracket.
  • baser
    baser Posts: 127
    I purchased a set of Superstar wheels with superfast, superleggra Ti hubs, CX ray spokes and crest rims and they are brilliant .

    I was worried about durability as I weigh 95kg but they have been very good, I had a flat about halfway down a serious run, had to finish it as I was in the middle of a group of riders, after a couple of steps and some big rocks I was really worried I would get to the bottom and they would be knackered but they are still straight and true!!

    now running them tubeless with Conti MK supersonics and they are truely amazing, can now leave my mates for dead on the climbs and flat

    Total cost was about £400 but if you go for DT revs and have a non Ti rear hub they will still weigh around 1400g and cost about £300.
  • marshall_a
    marshall_a Posts: 90
    if I wasn't convinced, then I think I am now, thanks.... visit too the LBS on Monday then I think.

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