Wheelset advice for new build

slc123

Hi all,

After some advice from the more knowledgable.

I've undertaken my first winter build project from scratch and I am currently buying 2nd hand components for the majority. of the build.

Wheels are one of the areas I know nothing about really and what would be most suitable. The frame is a long HT with slack head angle and 150mm forks. Most of my riding is trails and technical single track with a bit of bike park downhill thrown in.

I've looked at a lot of wheelsets on pinkbike/ebay and just don't really know what I should be looking for. Ideally looking to spend £150 - £200, but open to a bit more if required. It is a pretty main part to the bike after all!

I currently run a budget Mavic wheelset on my current bike and they've been good as gold!

Any advice appreciated.

cycleclinic

What wheels in part depends on what tyre width you want and what you can get away with. 150mm travel to me indicates rocky technical terrain so I would personally go with a 35mm wide alloy rim with 30mm internal width. These will be nice and stiff. If buying second hand gets wheels where the hubs are wily serviceable and freehubs easily available. Also watch out for fuzzy logic builds. Some riders and wheel builders believe a low tension wheel is better for technical work downhill. They are wrong though. An improperly tensioned wheel will let you down.

Other than that you need to know your wheel size and axle standard.

slc123

Thanks for the reply.

Any thoughts on these: https://www.tredz.co.uk/.DT-Swiss-E-190 ... IVt_D_BwE#

Not quite as wide as you've mentioned, but seem decent. I've found a couple second hand for sensible prices.

poah

thecycleclinic wrote:

What wheels in part depends on what tyre width you want and what you can get away with. 150mm travel to me indicates rocky technical terrain so I would personally go with a 35mm wide alloy rim with 30mm internal width. These will be nice and stiff. If buying second hand gets wheels where the hubs are wily serviceable and freehubs easily available. Also watch out for fuzzy logic builds. Some riders and wheel builders believe a low tension wheel is better for technical work downhill. They are wrong though. An improperly tensioned wheel will let you down.

Other than that you need to know your wheel size and axle standard.

oh dear my 24.5mm ID rims are just no good - wide doesn't mean better particularly with tyre choice being so limited.