Racing Wheelset

[TwiggzSA]

I'm contemplating getting a spare wheelset to use for races and use my current wheelset for training. At the moment I've got a pretty entry level wheelset that came standard on my bike, set of Alex XD-Lite 29ers with XT hubs.

 

I'm really not clued up on decent wheelsets and if I would need to get another cassette and rotors or how easy it would be to swop them when I need to change wheelsets.

 

Does anyone have some experience with having two wheelsets for racing and training? And what racing wheelset do you have/recommend?

[andretraut]

It is not necessary to get another set of rotors and a casette, however you will then be stuck to change these parts which could become a mission. If you can afford it, get rotors and a cassette to fit to your racing wheels. Some options to consider are American Classic (about R5000), American Classic Race (about R5500), Easton EA90XC (about R8000), Easton EC90XC (R20000) or Stans Race Gold (about R9000).

[D Vader]

I'm contemplating getting a spare wheelset to use for races and use my current wheelset for training. At the moment I've got a pretty entry level wheelset that came standard on my bike, set of Alex XD-Lite 29ers with XT hubs.

 

I'm really not clued up on decent wheelsets and if I would need to get another cassette and rotors or how easy it would be to swop them when I need to change wheelsets.

 

Does anyone have some experience with having two wheelsets for racing and training? And what racing wheelset do you have/recommend?

Yes, do it.

What do you weigh? what is your budget for the racing wheelset?

This is where a drop in weight on the bike makes the most difference.

You could possibly drop 500grams off that wheelset and even more if you put something like Ashima rotors ( 85gr each , XT or XTR are in the 160 gr range), so that is another 150 gr off the set).

I promise this will make a really big dif.

Do not do this and then put a Maxxis crossmark tyre on . 2012 Racing ralphs are exellent ( eg 840 gr as opposed to 605gr per tyre).

A set of Stans ZTR Crest rims, 3.30 Stans Hubs , and then have the aluminium nipples replaced and the wheels built with brass nipples ( hand built, nice and strong)

[TwiggzSA]

Yes, do it.

What do you weigh? what is your budget for the racing wheelset?

This is where a drop in weight on the bike makes the most difference.

You could possibly drop 500grams off that wheelset and even more if you put something like Ashima rotors ( 85gr each , XT or XTR are in the 160 gr range), so that is another 150 gr off the set).

I promise this will make a really big dif.

Do not do this and then put a Maxxis crossmark tyre on . 2012 Racing ralphs are exellent ( eg 840 gr as opposed to 605gr per tyre).

A set of Stans ZTR Crest rims, 3.30 Stans Hubs , and then have the aluminium nipples replaced and the wheels built with brass nipples ( hand built, nice and strong)

 

Hey D Vader, I'm 72kg at the moment. Budget is probably in the american classic range. Around R5000 give or take R1000 if the benefit is worth it.

 

I've got XT rotors at the moment and funny you mentioned it, I've got Maxxis crossmarks that came with the bike. Was thinking about going tubeless rocket rons or racing ralphs when the crossmarks need to be replaced. But getting a second wheelset would obviously change this plan.

[TwiggzSA]

It is not necessary to get another set of rotors and a casette, however you will then be stuck to change these parts which could become a mission. If you can afford it, get rotors and a cassette to fit to your racing wheels. Some options to consider are American Classic (about R5000), American Classic Race (about R5500), Easton EA90XC (about R8000), Easton EC90XC (R20000) or Stans Race Gold (about R9000).

 

Thanks, was looking at the american classics but don't know how they compare to Stans offerings that seems to be quite popular lately.

 

Those EC90XC's look awesome! But a little out my price range.

[rouxtjie]

I'm contemplating getting a spare wheelset to use for races and use my current wheelset for training. At the moment I've got a pretty entry level wheelset that came standard on my bike, set of Alex XD-Lite 29ers with XT hubs.

 

I'm really not clued up on decent wheelsets and if I would need to get another cassette and rotors or how easy it would be to swop them when I need to change wheelsets.

 

Does anyone have some experience with having two wheelsets for racing and training? And what racing wheelset do you have/recommend?

I have a set of bontragers as my training set and it just makes life easier for you if you have them fully setup...ready to roll(own rotors, cassette and even chain) like andre said. Its not a neccesary but helps if you are in a hurry. Be carefull of having two cassettes and one chain between them, if one cassette starts wearing it will wear a good chain and good cassette on the other wheelset much quicker, so rather have seperate chains for each cassette

[TwiggzSA]

I have a set of bontragers as my training set and it just makes life easier for you if you have them fully setup...ready to roll(own rotors, cassette and even chain) like andre said. Its not a neccesary but helps if you are in a hurry. Be carefull of having two cassettes and one chain between them, if one cassette starts wearing it will wear a good chain and good cassette on the other wheelset much quicker, so rather have seperate chains for each cassette

 

Thanks, that's good advice. Been thinking about changing my KMC X10 chain for a Shimano XT chain anyway, being as it's a XT cassette.

[rouxtjie]

Thanks, that's good advice. Been thinking about changing my KMC X10 chain for a Shimano XT chain anyway, being as it's a XT cassette.

I like XT for consumables...they have a good price point ito value, durability and weight. I have had both SRAM chains on Shimano cassettes and vica versa and they all perform the same way ito shifting.

 

But now and again a SRAM PG-990 cassette pops up at online sites at a price I can't refuse

[Cav']

Go Easton or otherwise build up a set according to your budget (crc maybe).