VFM wheelset

TheRevOlutionary
TheRevOlutionary Posts: 1,176
edited July 2012 in MTB buying advice
Ok, eternal dilemma pending...

Old wheels are dying slowly, hubs have play and are pitted, so no service possible. What wheelset to replace them with to minimise expense both now and as servicable item later? My bike is mainly a commuting vehicle, but I take the odd trip for some 'light' XC, so nothing race ready required!

Merlin has some Shimano 495hubs and Sun rims on special, but will they last? Is the LX hubs and Alex Ace 17s worth the extra? I currently have some WTB rims and Shimano FH-RM65 (centrelock) hubs which have done a job but never inspired or given me confidence when tested, so I guess just about anything would be an upgrade, but how far do I go? Are sealed hubs worth the extra? What advantage does a few grams of weight give?

All noob questions as these are the 1st wheels I've bought...thanks in advance.
Newbie with a Felt Q720

A day where you don't learn something is a waste...

Comments

  • Chunkers1980
    Chunkers1980 Posts: 8,035
    The Suns are perfectly ok. You could pay 3 times that and only get a marginally better set.
  • njee20
    njee20 Posts: 9,613
    Disc brake? How much are the Suns?

    I'd be tempted by something like these. £140 for XT hubs on DT rims, not bad.
  • supersonic
    supersonic Posts: 82,708
    The Sun Ringle EQ25 on 495 hubs with ACI DB spokes is an astonishing £57 for the PAIR. I have a set, are fine - just service the hubs every so often.
  • Thanks guys, looks like the Merlin deal is a good'un then!

    Forgive my ignorance, but will that wheelset be a straight 'one off-one on' job, or might I need to do anything other than switch the cassette?
    Newbie with a Felt Q720

    A day where you don't learn something is a waste...
  • Chunkers1980
    Chunkers1980 Posts: 8,035
    Pretty sure it should be PnP, don't forget the discs too.
  • Got a deal on some centrelock Saint discs recently, so they'll switch over nicely.

    Merlin say rim needs tape apparently - easy job?
    Newbie with a Felt Q720

    A day where you don't learn something is a waste...
  • bails87
    bails87 Posts: 12,998
    Got a deal on some centrelock Saint discs recently, so they'll switch over nicely.

    Merlin say rim needs tape apparently - easy job?
    Piece of Pee. Just use something to make sure the valve hole on the tape lines up with the hole in the rim. You can just use the tape off your current wheels.
    MTB/CX

    "As I said last time, it won't happen again."
  • Sweet, and a link from Quidco saves another few quid too!
    Newbie with a Felt Q720

    A day where you don't learn something is a waste...
  • bails87
    bails87 Posts: 12,998
    bails87 wrote:
    Got a deal on some centrelock Saint discs recently, so they'll switch over nicely.

    Merlin say rim needs tape apparently - easy job?
    Piece of Pee. Just use something to make sure the valve hole on the tape lines up with the hole in the rim. You can just use the tape off your current wheels.
    Sorry, that's assuming you've got non-stick on tape. If it's Velox type sticky stuff I don't know what shape it'll be in after being peeled off.
    MTB/CX

    "As I said last time, it won't happen again."
  • Ok, well before I take the wheels off I'll add the Merlin tape at just over £1 each in case.

    Thanks again.

    Just out of curiosity, is it worth getting 2nd hand 'decent' ones over a new set up sometimes?
    Newbie with a Felt Q720

    A day where you don't learn something is a waste...
  • supersonic
    supersonic Posts: 82,708
    I used sellotape lol!
  • njee20
    njee20 Posts: 9,613
    Got a deal on some centrelock Saint discs recently, so they'll switch over nicely.

    Don't be too sure - Saint used to use a different spline size...
  • Thanks guys, I now have the Merlin order in front of me :) but with regards to the rim tape, they've sent Schwalbe non-adhesive tape, and I am in need of advice re fitting! Do I just stretch around the rim, or is there an easier way? I don't want to mis-shapen it, or even break it, so need some experience before attempting!

    Thanks again lads.
    Newbie with a Felt Q720

    A day where you don't learn something is a waste...
  • YeehaaMcgee
    YeehaaMcgee Posts: 5,740
    njee20 wrote:
    Got a deal on some centrelock Saint discs recently, so they'll switch over nicely.

    Don't be too sure - Saint used to use a different spline size...
    Different lockring, same spline, I believe.
  • Any one got advice on the tape?
    Newbie with a Felt Q720

    A day where you don't learn something is a waste...
  • supersonic
    supersonic Posts: 82,708
    Electrical tape works fine. 3 or 4 wraps.
  • Thanks SS, but I already have the tape, just need advice on fitting. It's an all in one loop so don't want to warp/break it. Do you just 'coerce' it on?
    Newbie with a Felt Q720

    A day where you don't learn something is a waste...
  • supersonic
    supersonic Posts: 82,708
    yeah, just put it on, may have to stretch a bit to get it over!
  • YeehaaMcgee
    YeehaaMcgee Posts: 5,740
    [on the subject of tape advice...]Anything. I've used a few wraps of electrical tape in the past, and it's been fine. Need a few layers though.
    I actually dislike the "proper" Velox stuff, it's so thick that it makes fitting tyres a bit of a c*nt.

    EDIT, damn you and your fast fingers. "A new reply has been written whilst you were lollygagging"
    Yeah, fine, but how many? :lol:
  • Fair enough, thanks guys! If I break it i'll use electrical tape :lol:
    Newbie with a Felt Q720

    A day where you don't learn something is a waste...
  • YeehaaMcgee
    YeehaaMcgee Posts: 5,740
    One of the nice things about electrical tape is that you can stretch it whilst fitting, to make sure it fits just right inside the well.