TimC

Go look at aucklandmtb.co.nz Auckland MTB club give you the trails in and around Auckland but I'm sure in you contact them they can give some more advice on where else. I've heard Rotorua is a must. I'm moving there in July, so I'm hopefully gonna get to ride and learn some great scenic trails. :-)

I'm sure there are plenty of good strong wheels out there. My story. I bent two rims before doing some research on strong, not too heavy but also affordable rims. I ended up with the WTB Frequency i23's. They have been so good to me that I doubt I will ever try anything else. After my research it was either the WTB i23 or the Spank oozy. Both fell into my criteria of strong, relatively light and affordable.

I agree with this.

You can order off their website. I ordered a few shirts. Arrived no problem. There is a "store" link on the main page.

I couldn't get my WTB tyres to take air after many times doing this with ease with Maxxis Ikons. After reading every possible article on the net, most of them useless. One article I read said that if your tyre doesn't take ,add an extra layer of rim tape down the centre of the rim. Make sure you soap the bead and make sure the bead rests in the centre of the rim. Both tyres took first time. Worth a shot.

My theory. Right or wrong. Shimano make my chain...use Shimano lubricant.

Also take a look at the WTB frequencys...I had some WTB i23's laced for me. They are a trail rim...so heavier than the XC version but still not too bad. Pretty tough. Being good for me so far.

Might be a bit far...but Tour De Frans in Boksburg, Jaco and Dewalt are always good to me. Good value and I am always happy with their work when I get my bike back.

I had the same with some XKings that came with my bike...they did seal, but I was never comfortable. When I popped some Maxxis Ikons on...perfect, seated first time and no leakages whatsoever through the sidewalls and beading.

+1 for Tour De Frans I find Jaco and Dewalt very helpful

Yip...will see my front one soon. (and the bent rear one for free)

I am 95kg, my Crests that were on my bike when I bought it held up quite well for the first 300km...since then I have bent them twice. I replaced my rear the first time with another Crest, thinking it was just a once off...the second lasted only 100km's. I think the Crests are great rims...I know plenty of guys that swear by them I just dont think they are the right choice for heavier guys especially if you are doing rough trails. I am changing them out for some WTB i23 rims. I hoping that they will do the job for me!

+1 to this. Look 2nd hand. I managed to pick up a Momsen AL529 in almost new nick for half the price of a new one. Also, when I first got into MTB I bought a cheapie and ended up replacing every part of the bike except the frame. In most cases it was because things broke...and other because the upgrade addiction kicked in. I ended up spending more on the upgrades that the bike is really worth. Point being...spend a little more...it will save you more in the longer term.

Glad you got new rims...now go out and enjoy your riding!

Seeing as you are not a Momsen fan, give me a good price and will take it off your hands!