New Wheelset

metaldude72

Hi, I have aTrek 6500 with Shimano alloy M525 hubs; Bontrager Ranger Rims from stock.
I would like to change them to a lighter set. What do people recommend. I ride singletrack mainly and XC.
I do not mind a custom build recommendation but nothing obscene in price.
Would stretch to around 350-400 pounds as a budget. But realistically I can spend £600 lightening and blinging the bike.

supersonic

Before I answer the question, have you upgraded anything else on the bike, and do you plan to do so?

Pudseyp

DT for £190
http://www.merlincycles.co.uk/Bike+Shop ... -X1900.htm

or XT which can be run tubeless £249

http://www.merlincycles.co.uk/Bike+Shop ... et_134.htm

Sign up for their VIP scheme (it's free) and you will get an extra 10% off

Top budget....

Hope/Stans
http://www.merlincycles.co.uk/Bike+Shop ... -WHITE.htm

metaldude72

Supersonic, The only thing I have upgraded are the elixir 3 brakes to 5's as some git tried to nik them. Otherwise standard apart from a bonty carbon seat post.
I am also heavy at 215lbs as I play rugby.

supersonic

What fork do you run?

I'd take a look at these:

http://www.discountcyclesdirect.co.uk/p ... s_id=11269

Light, but tough, and a good price. You don't want to go too light, unless you ride very gently!

metaldude72

I run the stock RS Recon Gold Air Fork on the bike Supersonic.

supersonic

Very good fork, some 6500 have a lowly unit, but that needs no upgrading!

If really wanting to go light for the money, have a look at the XC version:

http://www.discountcyclesdirect.co.uk/p ... s_id=11272

I have a set on test, have taken a surprising battering!

metaldude72

Thanks Supersonic. My wife has a Reba RL on her Trek but I do prefer my Recon.
Thanks for the advice. The American Classics look sweet. My local Trek dealer has a set on display in his shop, but not at that price.
I did look at Hope Pro hubs with Mavic XC717 rims as well for £285.
If I got the Hope am I right in thinking that I would have to run an XT cassette on it?
Is it right that XT hubs need regular serviceing as well?

Pudseyp

XT front hubs feature cup and cone bearings for durability, strength and smooth rotation. The ultra-smooth bearing races provide precision low-friction rolling. Double contact sealing with internal grease sleeve helps keep water and dirt out of the bearings, ensuring constant smoothness and longevity, whilst keeping the grease in place.

The hub features an alloy axle for light weight and rigidity when used with suspension forks. The included quick release lever is also lightweight and easy to adjust.

metaldude72

Thanks for that. Xt over Hope Pro or what...?

leaflite

I would say get the american classics too. I would say go for the 2011 all mountain version though as they are only 80g ish heavier than the xc ones but have wider rims for larger tyres and are supposedly stronger.


The XT hubs are heavier than the hope ones but some parts such as the steel freehub are better than the alu freehub on the hopes in terms of durability. American classic hubs are lighter than both and have an alu freehub for lighter weight, but steel inserts to stop cheaper cassetes damaging it-the best of both

Pudseyp

metaldude72 wrote:

Thanks for that. Xt over Hope Pro or what...?

Having owned both...XT....Hope are noisy if thats your thing, and I had alsorts of bearing issues..

captainfly

metaldude72 wrote:

If I got the Hope am I right in thinking that I would have to run an XT cassette on it?

They do recommend a cassete with a carrier so as not to mark the freehub body, but this is only cosmetic (when was the last time you looked at a freehub body when a wheel is installed? ) and a steel replacement freehub body will cost less than the exrta cost of two more expensive cassettes.

Oh an hope pro2 hubs sound wicked (I'm 33 so have missed my chance to grow up 8)
)

metaldude72

Hi and thanks for all the input. After thinking about it all night I have decided to go for XT hubs with XC 717 rims (I have had thses before and no issues).

allthegearnoidea

bit late on this, but ive the AM classic tubeless on mine, been on for 6 months, i'm 100kg rider and tend to Blunderbus my way through the woods!!! wheels have been faultess, and at the price dcd have them is Very good!! (they are making £50 opn them at that price!! ) do notice a small amount of flex in the wheels whne slow manouvering but not much!! would Highly recommend them!!

my lbs mechanic and good mate has been a shimano man for years and years for wheels but the xt's you cant replace the bearing cups anymore so once they are worn (could take a lifetime could take a few rides to get some grit through) they are done, said its a shame as they are a cracking set of wheels - shimano XT tubeless set, same hubs iirc.

supersonic

Interestingly, and not many know this, you can actually punch out the bearing cup from inside the hub shell and replace! Some riders buy a new hub and transplant the innards into the old shell.

allthegearnoidea

thats what ive done in the past with old C+C hubs, but sean (the mech) said they are no longer supplting the inner races so once its gone its gone,
he commented that whilst is great if yo dont mind a bit of maintenence on them to keep them bob on, for the sake fo a few quid for Brand new cartridge bearings its hardly worth it anymore!

supersonic

This is why many buy the whole hub - with stuff like Deore you can pick a rear hub up for a tenner. Though XT and XTR of course are more expensive. I have actually bought SHimano hubs in the past and sold just the QR for more than I paid for the hub lol.

Briggo

supersonic wrote:

I have a set on test, have taken a surprising battering!

I would rate mine as 4.5 stars out of 5

metaldude72

So are you all saying that a Hope hub is better for longevity with minimal servicing?

supersonic

It's different. The cartridge bearings need less servicing and replacement, but are costlier to replace than ball bearings. The freehuv needs servicing more, but is easy to do, while shimano's is very hard and is usually just replaced.

But one is much dearer than the other.

metaldude72

Well I think I might treat myself to aset of Hopes now. Interestingly I had a Hope XC hub on a rear wheel before and did over 4000 miles on it before the bike it was attached to was nicked.

supersonic

I'd take the American Classics if I was to be spending more.

metaldude72

Hmm. Decisions decisions.