Wheel choice

top_bhoy

I got advice a few months ago on selecting 26" wheels for my MTB which I use exclusively as a commuting bike. Instead of getting the new wheels, I had a health problem and put the bike on the back burner. As an interim measure I simply had the couple of broken spokes repaired. I've been on the bike over the last few weeks and late last week, another 3 spokes broke. The wheels and hubs aren't worth getting fixed...their nearly 4 years old now and repairing will cost near 160 quid (here in Oz and current exchange rate) which will be as much or close to the cost for a new set.

I'm 85kg (and reducing) and the MTB has a pannier on it which is rarely loaded to the full since I stagger the amount of clothes I take to work, lunches, etc. Weight (as in light) isn't a priority, robustness and longevity ie bomb-proof, are. The existing rotor is 6 bolt type and the wheels are QR.

Budget wise, I'd like to keep total cost under 180 quid (including postage to Oz) but would prefer the lower end of cost scale . On-One seem to have a few 26" wheels on offer at the moment (and have cheap postage costs). Aesthetics aren't too important other than being a decider in the event of two comparable types. Does anyone have any thoughts on the following 26" wheels from On-One?

Ryde Adrenalin MTB Wheelset
Ryde Beasty MTB Wheelset
On-One XC QR Wheelset
Ryde Summit XF1 Wheelset

Cheers for any input.

stubs

Have a look at Superstar they do a set of wheels for £130 Superstar XCX

Also Merlin do a good tough budget wheelset Merlin Custom Wheels

The Rookie

Learn to replace the spokes yourself?

My commuter rear wheel has now had about half the spokes done, each time one goes I replace it (that is over 4000miles of use).

CitizenLee

£9 over budget, but a good saving over RRP...

http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/funn ... -prod16491

Can't vouch for what they're like though.

top_bhoy

The Rookie wrote:

Learn to replace the spokes yourself?

My commuter rear wheel has now had about half the spokes done, each time one goes I replace it (that is over 4000miles of use).

That would be the best solution though I'm limited for space if a truing stand is required.

I got put onto someone at work who is going to build me a set which should be suitable for my purposes (at reasonable cost) but thinking on what you have said, this is an opportunity to experiment on building a set of wheels using the existing rims and hubs; excluding tools, the only material cost would be for new spokes and nipples but the knowledge gained would be useful for future use.

Is there a good wheelbuilding book that can be recommended which takes a novice through every step of the way from acquiring the tools to the finished article. More importantly, sets it out in an understandable way with pictures and photos to describe where necessary, the outlined step.

angry_bird

http://www.wheelpro.co.uk/wheelbuilding/book.php

I used this when learning to build wheels.

The Rookie

You don't need a truing stand for replacing a spoke, if it was straight before the spoke broke, it will be straight once the new one is tensioned, worst case you put it in the frame (before you put the tyre on) and tweak it up, I build my wheels (OK only done one pair of wheels so far) using a frame with a rule blue tacked across the seat stays to check for ovality and side to side.

top_bhoy

Angry Bird wrote:

http://www.wheelpro.co.uk/wheelbuilding/book.php

I used this when learning to build wheels.

I've just downloaded it.

Thanks for all of the replies.