Buying wheels - Experiences and opinions wanted!

skadkaer

So - I just signed up at this forum hoping you guys are able to help me.

I know this is something that have been posted earlier (I have read as much as I could find about it - forums, test, reviews, etc.). But I am making this topic to, hopefully, get some up to date and honest comments.

My situation is:
I am looking for a light and long lasting set of XC wheels for training and racing. With light I mean max. 1600 gr. and lighter is only better. With long lasting I mean wheels for all year use that i do not have to service every second month and easy to service/change bearings when time comes.
I weigh 80 kg. and I ride my XC bike pretty hard - in the terms of XC (not DH hard - got my Glory DH for that, but I ride everything I get past on my XC tracks (roots, natures small jumps/drops, etc.). My bike is a Giant Anthem X1 (fully).

First I looked at a set of Hope Hoobs Pro 2 evo. Then the Hope Hoobs Pro 2 evo SP and then the Hope Hoobs Pro 3 SP.
My doubts about Hope is: I like the weight of the Pro 3 SP, but the weight limit of 85 kg. and their warning about riding style scares me of a bit - even though I tell my self that they can probably take a lot more than i would expect. But the alternative would be to accept the around 200 gr. extra weight (as far as I have been able to find out) and go with the Pro 2 evo SP.

BUT - there always is a but! - After reading a lot of forums I discovered the Superstar Superleggera/superfast custom wheel option. This is a wheel that I have never heard about, and it has been a bit hard to find out (peoples experience, knownledge) if this 120 points of engagement hub really is as good as it sounds - or if it is more talk than action.
I have chosen three different setups. All with Superleggera rear hub and Superfast front hub.
1: ZTR Crest rim, db butted Sapim Race spokes, Brass nipples(chose these on all three for added strenght?)
2: ZTR Crest rim, CX Ray Sapim spokes (XC only), Brass nipples.
3: ZTR Crest rim, CX Ray Sapim spokes (XC only), Brass nipples, And upgraded to the TI Supperleggera hub
I do not know the weight of these 3 wheels sets, but from a estimate I think option one is around 1600 gr. - option two a bit lighter and option 3 a bit lighter again.

For prices then the Hope Hoobs are a bit cheaper. I have found the Pro 3 SP for £300 at bikeoutlet. And so far I have only been able to find the Superleggera at superstars own site - as they say only available direct. With prices at: option 1 £300, option 2 £360, option 3 £390. (My starting budget being max. £400 so I am in the lucky situation that between these wheels the price difference does not matter - I just want what suits me best - race fastest but without compromising to much with strength and durability).

All personal experience, comments, knowledge, etc. is very welcome. What wheel would you choose if you where in my shoes or is there one/some of the wheels you would certainly not buy - and why ?

I know this was a lot of text - but i hope you will read through it

Thanks,

freeagent

I recently bought a set of wheels from Superstar, although they were the AM rather than the XC versions.
I'm well pleased with them, and they are a fair bit lighter than the Richey Rims they replaced.

I'd recommend Superstar, i've had a few bits from them, all of which have been pretty good.

VWsurfbum

Or some CrankBrothers, look PIMP, lighter than your weight wanted and very strong for XC wheels.

jairaj

If you are over or close to weight limit on the Hope pro3 then I would prob stay away unless they are race day wheels.

I have a Superstar wheelset and Im very happy with it. But there are also a lot of good things to be said about Hope too. I would try and find the exact weights of the components to get an idea of each wheel set's weight and then go from there.

I have dealt with Hope and Superstar customer services and both are excellent so hopefully should be easy to get spares when anything wears out or breaks.

Im not too sure about the Crankbro wheels. They seem expensive and how easy is it to get spares? but yes they look very very cool!

andypaul99

I have a set of Pro 3 Xc hubs on stans ZTR rims, its my second set of pro-3's the first set were on DT 420 rims and they were far superior to the stans rims.

Considering your weight i would avoid the PRO 3's, i weigh 74 kg and only ride light XC and ive had endless problems with the wheels coming out of true, i feel the rims are very soft and also some tyres are an absolute nightmare to get on the very deep rims too, if i were to change the wheels i would probably either go for Pro 2 evos which are a better all rounder (if a little heavier) or break the bank and go top end Mavic.

That said the Pro 3 hubs are pretty good but very noisy!!

Pirahna

I've got Pro3's and am pretty close to the weight limit. I use them for racing and training and they've been solid, I'd buy them again.

allthegearnoidea

American Classics!
ive the tubeless version and am 100kg, been on them since january and like to push it a bit, like you, not DH hard but XC hard, touching wood, not had to touch them since fitting, still true and Silky smooth, and Very fast rolling,
the bonus also that they come with a 240lb rider limit so you'll be fine!

they do come in rrp wise a little over budget but a few places were sellign them with nice discounts not long back, i Highly recommend them,
1496grams too, and use Std spokes rather than special or bladed, and are Tubeless ready out the box (no valves though) so no need for a rim strip kit etc.

leaflite

If you dont mind the lack of colour choice:
http://superstar.tibolts.co.uk/product_info.php?cPath=40&products_id=497

skadkaer

American Classics!
ive the tubeless version and am 100kg, been on them since january and like to push it a bit, like you, not DH hard but XC hard, touching wood, not had to touch them since fitting, still true and Silky smooth, and Very fast rolling,
the bonus also that they come with a 240lb rider limit so you'll be fine!

What type of the American Classic do you ride? Is it a pre-built or a custom one? If it is a custom one - will you then post the build info?

Anybody knows where to buy the American Classic MTB race 26"? when it will be ready to ship out? and maybe the price of it? looks very tempting!!

benpinnick

Id go for the Hope Pro 2 EVOs, but custom built onto DT XR400s with Sapim Laser or DT Revoultion spokes. If they're built well they will last and be tough as you need. That said, the MTB26 Tubeless wheels from AC are pretty good at £450, especially as they're under 1500g!

allthegearnoidea

mine are the tubeless ready factory built set, have been nothing but impressed with them,
noah's currently has then for just under £400,
http://www.noahsark.co.uk/american-clas ... -5409.html

eurobike are the Uk distributers for them
http://www.eurobike.uk.com/

Just riding along do a lot of custom builds using the hubs (as they are very light) on all manor of rims, but for out the box as they are i cant fault them, light, stiff (even under my 100kg in normal clothes bulk!), super fast rolling, qu9ick engagement and also hardened Steel edges on the freehub body to reduce the Eating in of steel cassettes on the splines,

skadkaer

Update:
Thank you all for the good, helpfull posts (and the octopus biscuit). I have made my desicion and I am going for the American Classic. I have found a good (danish) place to get them, so now i just have to find out if i want to wait a couple of moths and pay the extra money for the MTB race 26 model og safe some money and get the MTB 26 tubeless - a bit heavier, probably a bit stronger, and awailable right away. I will give you another update when I have decided and tried the wheels.

supersonic

I tested the 1486g wheelset out - some of the best wheels I have had the pleasure to ride. Pretty stiff, tough, widish rims (if you need them) - great wheels.