New wheelset advice.

arcadian
arcadian Posts: 35
edited September 2013 in MTB buying advice
I currently have a set of Halo Freedoms, which I think are great. They'll be getting swapped over to the new bike I'm about to build, but are a couple of years old. They spin forever so the bearings are fine, but I'm thinking the spokes are starting to slacken off quicker than they used to, and there's a slight slight kink in the trueness of the front wheel I can't seem to sort myself (lbs has a 2-3 week wait for truing so not keen on that due to weird work pattern).

I've been looking at new wheelsets, preferably for <£300. Have looked at the Halo Chaos wheelset for £250 new which is tempting, but they're obviously really similar/a slight upgrade tot he freedom rims.

Just wondered if I'm better trying to "sort" my current wheels (really only a minor bother with them, but I like it perfect!), get the similar new set I know I'd be happy with, or seek a different set such as the current internet favourite of pro 2 evo/stans flow? Or are there wheels out there that would have hubs as good/better than the spin doctors with the nigh on indestructibility of the Freedoms I could consider?

Usual sort of riding the wheels would go through is a standard mix, do a fair few drops, rocky and rooty descents and general hidden trail adventures with all the hidden tree stumps they entail.

Comments

  • rapid_donkey
    rapid_donkey Posts: 448
    Do you run tubes or planning to go tubeless?

    I ride the same sort of stuff as you. I have mavic xm719 rims on superstar switch evo hubs. The wheels have been faultless so far. I have had to replace front wheel bearings, but its not a big job. There are some good superstar wheel service guide pdf's on the internet, and spares are available if there is a fault. For the price, it was a no brainer.

    I did consider hope pro 2's on stans crest or flow, but couldnt really justify the extra £. Glad i didnt now.
  • ej2320
    ej2320 Posts: 1,543
    Either superstar or Hope Hoops
    The hopes are £300 on cycle sport uk with a full hub colour choice
  • rockmonkeysc
    rockmonkeysc Posts: 14,774
    Find a good local wheel builder and get them properly trued and tensioned. You don't need to replace them.
    I have just had a quality rebuild done for £30 per wheel plus parts.
    Transition Patrol - viewtopic.php?f=10017&t=13070235
  • ej2320
    ej2320 Posts: 1,543
    RockmonkeySC wrote:
    Find a good local wheel builder and get them properly trued and tensioned. You don't need to replace them.
    I have just had a quality rebuild done for £30 per wheel plus parts.

    I forgot to say that, most LBS won't charge you much for a rebuild even though it can be time consuming
  • arcadian
    arcadian Posts: 35
    RockmonkeySC wrote:
    Find a good local wheel builder and get them properly trued and tensioned. You don't need to replace them.
    I have just had a quality rebuild done for £30 per wheel plus parts.

    That would be the preferred option, but Aberdeen is weird in having only two bike shops, both chains (alpine and edinburgh bike co-op) that deal with mountain bikes. They both have fairly big waiting times, 3 weeks or more, and I've heard locally about problems with the work from both places which puts me off a bit.
  • ej2320
    ej2320 Posts: 1,543
    I've got a feeling there's some very good wheel specialists where you can send the wheel to them
  • rockmonkeysc
    rockmonkeysc Posts: 14,774
    arcadian wrote:
    RockmonkeySC wrote:
    Find a good local wheel builder and get them properly trued and tensioned. You don't need to replace them.
    I have just had a quality rebuild done for £30 per wheel plus parts.

    That would be the preferred option, but Aberdeen is weird in having only two bike shops, both chains (alpine and edinburgh bike co-op) that deal with mountain bikes. They both have fairly big waiting times, 3 weeks or more, and I've heard locally about problems with the work from both places which puts me off a bit.

    Try asking local clubs. In my local club there are at least four lads who do a really good wheel build.
    Transition Patrol - viewtopic.php?f=10017&t=13070235

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