TrailWarrior Posted February 6, 2014 Posted February 6, 2014 What would be the best wheelset for a race like the Freedom Challenge RASA?
Thug Posted February 6, 2014 Posted February 6, 2014 A personal preference but I would go for something like Hope Pro2 hubs with ZTR Arch rims. In my opinion pretty much bombproof. V12man, Goodbadugly, scotty and 1 other 4
RockCoach Posted February 7, 2014 Posted February 7, 2014 Agree with Thuggie on the hubs but would go for WTB i19 rims.
Dusty Posted February 7, 2014 Posted February 7, 2014 Sacrifice a bit of weight benefit for something bulletproof. cat-i 1
RockCoach Posted February 7, 2014 Posted February 7, 2014 Sacrifice a bit of weight benefit for something bulletproof. On such a long race with so much ascent every extra kilo you carry slows you down and tires you out. Especially taxing is that 8 hour portage over a mountain range. (disclaimer: I haven't done it but am friends with some of the top guys) Besides, Hope hubs plus a strong light rim built properly is bulletproof.
TrailWarrior Posted February 14, 2014 Author Posted February 14, 2014 Thanks for all your replies guys. Was looking at Easton EA90XC 29er but after doing some research it would seem the flavour definately swings towards the Stan's ZTR Arch....
the nerd Posted February 14, 2014 Posted February 14, 2014 Just not the stans hubs... i would go for the hopes with maybe a set of velocity Blunt sl's or as mentioned above the WTB i23's just from a point of view you do not want anything to go wrong. The hope hubs can be ridden for years without service so new wheels will be bombproof.
Jewbacca Posted February 14, 2014 Posted February 14, 2014 haha.. Ok, swap the arch or 119 for something like the Flow or i23.You want a tire/rim combo that you can reseat with half a bomb. You will need to unseat, fix and reseat.. You also want tires that are bomb proof. You arent looking for performance in a race environment so Geax Seguaro or Maxxix Cross Mark. Weight really isnt an issue. You are carrying a 10kg backpack, not riding at warp speeds and reliability over performance is the key. Hubs need to be solid and easy to clean the pawls. So a servicable hub (ie NOT shimano or novatec) is probably better. Hope is made for English winters so it is probably best suited. Flows got me through on a set of really old SS specific Hope hubs. Spare spokes and nipples are a must..... the nerd 1
kosmonooit Posted February 14, 2014 Posted February 14, 2014 Spare spokes and nipples are a must..... You will have to pack Rim Tape if you are going to be changing nipples?
Jewbacca Posted February 15, 2014 Posted February 15, 2014 You will have to pack Rim Tape if you are going to be changing nipples? On a race like Freedom you will fix your bike with anything... You will obviously have a couple of rolls of insulation tape with you which will work just perfectly for a couple thousand km. Also take latex car tire strips, some adhesive and some nylon thread and a needle for tears or side wall repairs. Last year I broke 4 spokes on day 1 coming out of hella hella. Reckon that it had been damaged in transit and just needed pushing to finish the job of actually breaking them. If you sheer a nipple or have wheels made with those hideous anodized alu nipples which oxidize and seize and you have a whoopsy you will need to replace spoke and nipple. Running repairs are something you WILL do. Make sure you pack sufficent goodies in your pack and top up in your 2l supply boxes.... It would be terrible to have to pull out of something like Freedom with a very easily repairable mechanical which can be avoided simply.....
Vinnydabutcher Posted February 16, 2014 Posted February 16, 2014 I do concure with the general opinon of Arch + Hope and maybe opt for the steel free wheel body rather than the alluminium option. That being said - if you want a durable wheel take a look at Citec. PM Eldron for those.
Ryanpmb Posted February 16, 2014 Posted February 16, 2014 What would be the best wheelset for a race like the Freedom Challenge RASA?Have you taken the time to ride any sections of the trail? If not, I suggest you do this - you can then make up your own mind re wheels and types (and numerous other bits and pieces you should be thinking of). As guys have said though, generally go for an item slightly more robust than light weight.... Archs over Crests; XT (or even SLX over XTR; etc... Good luck - enjoy the race.
Marnitz Nienaber Posted February 21, 2014 Posted February 21, 2014 I have never broken a spoke, nipple, rim or tyre. I use DT swiss 240 hubs with a mavic ex823 rim and 2.35 Maxxis Ignator tyre, bit on the heavy side but bomb proof. ZTR rims don't last for me, but then I'm on the heavy side, build for downhills and I ride well into the night..........Hope hubs are also bombproof, all will depend on your riding skills and if you drown the bike in the rivers...... It doesn't make sense to carry spares for being a weight weany and ending up with more or less the same weigh, build it bombproof from the start then you don't have to carry the worry as well Enjoy the ride !!! cat-i 1
Ryanpmb Posted February 21, 2014 Posted February 21, 2014 I have never broken a spoke, nipple, rim or tyre. I use DT swiss 240 hubs with a mavic ex823 rim and 2.35 Maxxis Ignator tyre, bit on the heavy side but bomb proof. ZTR rims don't last for me, but then I'm on the heavy side, build for downhills and I ride well into the night..........Hope hubs are also bombproof, all will depend on your riding skills and if you drown the bike in the rivers...... It doesn't make sense to carry spares for being a weight weany and ending up with more or less the same weigh, build it bombproof from the start then you don't have to carry the worry as well Enjoy the ride !!!If you've never "broken a spoke, nipple, rim or tyre" then how would you know if "ZTR rims don't last" for you? Just a curious question. As for your statement regarding spares - ALWAYS take spares when riding on the Freedom Trail. It is remote and the little extra weight of carrying a few well thought out spares will get you home...
Jewbacca Posted February 21, 2014 Posted February 21, 2014 If you've never "broken a spoke, nipple, rim or tyre" then how would you know if "ZTR rims don't last" for you? Just a curious question. As for your statement regarding spares - ALWAYS take spares when riding on the Freedom Trail. It is remote and the little extra weight of carrying a few well thought out spares will get you home... haha... Ryan, Marnitz knows his stuff.... he is a Freedom Challenge legend!
Ryanpmb Posted February 21, 2014 Posted February 21, 2014 haha... Ryan, Marnitz knows his stuff.... he is a Freedom Challenge legend!I know - as I said - just curious questions regarding his statements as I think I may have misunderstood them...
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