Wheels

stump.jumper

What is the best rear wheel for XC? (26")
I have been told hope hoops pro evo 2's are pretty good and the sound they make are awesome.
If you have an opinion could you provide a link on CRC or something please. No more than £250
Thanks

Chunkers1980

A wheel or pair? What standards - Axel and rim?

stump.jumper

I have these on my bike at the moment
Custom DT Swiss X420SL, 24mm w/ eyelets, 28/32h

stump.jumper

FRONT HUB Hi Lo disc, CNC flange, sealed cartridge bearing, 9mm DT RWS, alloy QR, 28h
REAR HUB Custom DT Swiss 330SL w/ alloy freehub, DT RWS QR, 32h

supersonic

What is wrong with the ones you have, are good wheels.

benpinnick

Got to disagree with you there SS. The spec. 420sl wheel is flexy and weak. It's an ok weight but nothing special, but the rim is too narrow for anything half big, and it's a very poor cousin or the 4.2 rim on which it's based.

supersonic

I disagree back, I own a pair, they are stiff (32/28 spoke) and tough enough for xc riding and my 13 stone weight, relatively light, good hubs. 19/24mm rim is plenty wide enough for most XC tyres. The only slight problem is the 15g spokes, a DB spoke would be better, but I don't see £250 buying anything that is particularly better for the intended use, unless the rider is heavy.

If was riding anything harder, then I would say get something else.

bennett_346

benpinnick wrote:

Got to disagree with you there SS. The spec. 420sl wheel is flexy and weak. It's an ok weight but nothing special, but the rim is too narrow for anything half big, and it's a very poor cousin or the 4.2 rim on which it's based.

I also disagree, i own 420SL rims and i feel it has a good balance of weight to stiffness, and i've had 2.5 minions on there with no problems at all. Granted they're not incredible but a solid wheel they are.

benpinnick

Each to their own. I also have a pair and think they are gash.

supersonic

You are not gooing to get anything stiffer though unless you go for 14g spokes of at least 32 spokes in number, and a deeper section, heavier rim.

benpinnick

DB spokes and a deeper, wider, lighter rim would be my choice. 420 is hardly svelte. If you like shimano hubs then I agree the hubs are ok, the front one is relatively light too, my main issue is the rim is portly for what you get and I bet it doesn't even actually measure up as 19mm, the spokes are weak and heavy, and the overall wheel build is mediocre.

supersonic

I'd be tempted to up the budget to £350 or more to make a good difference.

benpinnick

On the original Q: hope hoops are fine wheels, decent weight, look great, well built. Save you 200ish grams over the current one and look nice. Slow pickup but not worse than the 420s. I'd also consider these : http://superstar.tibolts.co.uk/product_ ... cts_id=640

Great hubs, lightweight but wider rims, get a pair for 299. Over budget I know, but you do get two!

The pacenti tl28 would have been my choice at 269 a pair but tbh I've had issues with my set recently.

paulbox

Check out the Crank Bros wheelsets on On-one at the moment, big discounts and they look fantastic.

cooldad

Pity they're made of cheese. Big discounts because they're not worth more.

stump.jumper

The ones i have now, the bike mechanic said need replacing.

supersonic

Did he now lol. I'd ask him to be more specific. If they are totally trashed then I'd look at some of the builds above, but not the Crank Bros ones.

stump.jumper

I have had the wheels 3 years and they have seen better days to be honest.

bennett_346

3 years sounds a decent lifespan out of these wheels. Could last longer but i wouldn't feel i was wasting money after that length of time so long as the upgrade was significant enough.

paulbox

supersonic wrote:

Did he now lol. I'd ask him to be more specific. If they are totally trashed then I'd look at some of the builds above, but not the Crank Bros ones.

Are they really that bad? I've always loved the look of them...