"Hardcore XC" Wheels

ddraver

Hi Guys

My wheels are starting to get tired and the spokes are starting to break with alacrity now - even though I'm riding in Holland - so I'm lookign for a new set. Most of my riding is in Holland so is easy and I'd need a pure XC wheel, but I want something I can use back in the UK for things like trail centres, natural riding and the odd bit of Snowdon type descending. They do not need to stan up to regualr DH and jumping etc, but I'm a big big boy so they need to be reasonably stiff.

I'm very impressed with my Mavic wheels on the road bike but they don't seem to do a set of wheels around the 250-400 mark that fit with the above (or are the cross trails more XC than the description would suggest?). So I was thinking of getting something built up around a Stans Arch EX rim (probably with Hope Hubs, given that they seem to be the most common(cheapest) option)

Any other suggestions/thoughts etc

bluechair84

Crest/Arch/Flow rims seem great I've both the Crests and Flows and I can't fault them. The Crests are built up on Hope ProIIs, and the Flows on Superstar Evos and to be honest, the cheaper superstar hubs have been terrific.

YeehaaMcgee

Just FYI, there's very very very few wheels that couldn't cope with your typical trail centre riding.
In fact, I can't think of any MTB wheels that won't take a beating - and I even know of some very large riders who get by fine.
Choose on budget, don't worry about their toughness.

supersonic

These are great,

http://clee-cycles.co.uk/esite/P1466/product

Light, stiff, tough rims.

ddraver

Oooh those are pretty Sonic!!

Are the hubs that Stans use good quality (decent longevity, weight etc)? Found an offer for Stans wheels from a local website...Not sure it's a good enough deal though.

cat_with_no_tail

I can't praise my Arch Ex, Superstar Trizoid build highly enough. They've taken an absolute battering (including the DH at Innerleithen) and are still perfect in every way.
They roll incredibly well, have an outstandingly quick pickup, are really stiff, run tubeless (with yellow tape) no problems at all and imho, look great
They're 1,600g too, so nice and light.
Oh, and they sound pretty good too if you're into that kind of thing (crudders on the cruddy weekender can vouch for that).

£400 if you go for the sapim SILS nipples and cx ray spokes option. Bargaintastic!

RevellRider

Supersonic, have American Classic improved the freehub on their wheels yet?

supersonic

Wasn't aware that there was much of a problem, my test set were sweet.

RevellRider

It's only when new, but if the freehub isn't assembled correct it can skip about. The mechanic at work has had to strip several that are only a few weeks old

allthegearnoidea

Would have to be Very badly assembled for it to do that! Mine have been absolutely faultless over the 18 months they've been on! The axels held in by 2 19mm nuts on the non drive side, slides in from the drive side, so would have to be Visably Loose for the hub body to skip! I'd have said that's more down to old components on new wheels!

My AM classics a ve been brilliant, can't praise them enough, sub 1500g, 240lb rider limitrather then the 180-200 of most wheels sets, they've taken a lot of a use, and being 100kg minus bag I'm no whippet! They've stood up to everything I've thrown at them and the only noticeable sign is one slightly bent spoke from a branch! Done 1500 miles or so,

ddraver

@Cat - were they the custom built ones?

cat_with_no_tail

ddraver wrote:

@Cat - were they the custom built ones?

Yup.