Wheels - factory built sets or RM/Merlin's ?

RobS · June 2007

Hi all,

About to buy a Pike and consequently need a 20mm front hub.

I think the Alex rims on my Hoss weigh a ton so figure that a new wheel set would be a good buy to go with the new fork.

I had initially been set on a pair of DT Swiss EX5.1D rims with Hope Pro II Hubs (sorry Sonic!) however the cost of this from RM/WheelPro has sent the girlfriend into anaphalactic shock (exageration, but she is questioning me if i need them and can afford the œ200+ on top of the œ280 for the Pike)

this has led me to wonder, are these really better than 'factory' built rims or would something factory built cope with my large weight.

Thoughts please peeps [:)]

Cheers,

Rob

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My Ride - Kona Hoss '06

paulosoxo · June 2007

The strength of the wheel is in the build. Merlin do good wheel builds, so I'd go for them. I had mine built up (XM321's on XT) by chain reaction and they're fine, but I'm sure Gordon knows people who've had problems from there.

On factory wheels, I still have a factory built pair of Xero's that are true and still spinning smoothly, as well as factory mavics on my roadbike. I'm in the big lads range too.

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Unknown · June 2007

Merlins builds are superb, and prices good too.

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stuartlangwilson · June 2007

DT 440 hubs with Dt5.1 rims are very cheap on merlin, rebadged as magura freeride wheels, get them, they are really sweet. Not noisy like hopes, after running hope xc, bulbs and proII for ages its nice to have peace and quiet again.

RobS · June 2007

hehe the œ235 is the same price my 5.1's and hope pro 2's came to

Cheers,

Rob

<hr noshade size="1">My Site - robandgem.net
My Ride - Kona Hoss '06

Unknown · June 2007

well you dont "need" both wheels do you? Buy a front now, then if you want, upgrade the Rear later- And Maybe with something like a XT hub

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stuartlangwilson · June 2007

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by RobS

hehe the œ235 is the same price my 5.1's and hope pro 2's came to

<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

The selling point for your missus is the hubs retail at œ360 so you are saving loads of cash. It might work?

Unknown · June 2007

How do you figure œ360??

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nodrog2 · June 2007

Rob, hand build over factory build every time as long as the wheels are built by a good wheel builder. Rob, why don't you pop into the shop, we could do you a deal if you are buying forks and wheels from us. Just a thought.

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RobS · June 2007

Thanks Gordon, you got mail

Cheers,

Rob

<hr noshade size="1">My Site - robandgem.net
My Ride - Kona Hoss '06

Wheels - factory built sets or RM/Merlin's ?

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