GRG Posted November 19, 2015 Posted November 19, 2015 I want to upgrade my wheelset to something lighter. Currently riding stock standard giant wheelset and the American classics look pretty good. A few questions:1) Wide lightenings vs AC race wheelset for xc racing/riding (eg Trailseekers, Klapperkop etc)?2) Durability of these wheels? I am a student on a student budget and can't afford regular wheel upsets.3) Tire pressure? Does one run the risk of damaging Wide Lightening rims when running the lower tire pressure? What is the correct tire pressure if you are a light rider (eg 70 kgs)? Thanks in advance!
Captain Fastbastard Mayhem Posted November 19, 2015 Posted November 19, 2015 Wide lightning every time. It'll allow lower pressures, which means more grip, less rolling resistance (yes, lower pressure on an MTB translates to lower rolling resistance as it conforms to the trail surface rather than deflecting off it) and more sidewall support for the tire at the same pressures as your current wheelset. They're light enough to stay competitive without sacrificing durability, and the benefits of wider rims outweigh the potential weight penalty. At 70kg, I can't recommend a pressure (I'm far heavier than you) but I would suggest your current pressures, and then slowly decrease by 2 psi per time until you start getting rim strikes on technical terrain, and then go back up a couple of PSI.
Captain Fastbastard Mayhem Posted November 19, 2015 Posted November 19, 2015 Taking the above into account though, the AC race is 24mm wide internally, vs the WL's 29.3 The Race is still pretty wide for an XC wheelset, but I can tell you that the difference in traction and resistance is huuuge when going to wider rims. There's a 100g difference between the 2, but at 1,569g (claimed) the WL is certainly no heffalump. You could also go for a slightly lighter casing on the WL due to the increased sidewall support, which would potentially outweigh the weight savings on the Race rim. If it were me, I'd go WL. The benefits of wider are marked, and the penalty is miniscule. Benefits far outweigh the weight differential, IMO. Plus - they're stronger.
Captain Fastbastard Mayhem Posted November 19, 2015 Posted November 19, 2015 Oh - on tyre pressure. You'll run far more risk of damaging the Race rims at low pressures (if you compare the same tyre combo at the same pressures) due to the increased sidewall support and larger volume that comes with going for the WL.
Mike Bike Posted November 19, 2015 Posted November 19, 2015 I had a set of the race wheels, they are beautifully light, but the rims are made of tin foil. You will ding them easily, the rear rim will crack around the spoke holes, and it's 3k for a new rim. Wide lightenings are the way forwards
spyster Posted November 19, 2015 Posted November 19, 2015 WL all the way - I have them on my Tallboy and my wife has them on her Trance. Easy to work on - light at the price, beautiful to look at and best of all the wider rim really does make a difference (didn't believe it myself until I tried it). Also, most of the time the AC's come complete with all the adapters you'll need for any wheel set up.
Eldron Posted November 19, 2015 Posted November 19, 2015 I had a set of the race wheels, they are beautifully light, but the rims are made of tin foil. You will ding them easily, the rear rim will crack around the spoke holes, and it's 3k for a new rim. Wide lightenings are the way forwardsGive that man bells! I only spec the Race for <70kg riders who aren't hard on wheels. Wide Lightnings for the win.
BrandonF_ Posted November 19, 2015 Posted November 19, 2015 I'm the American Classic Mascot,....and I will wear the Wide Lighting suit FOREVER ♡.♡
Patensie Posted November 19, 2015 Posted November 19, 2015 I have a set of wide lightnings. A year of the rockiest single track my guts can take and no issues.
Spank Posted November 19, 2015 Posted November 19, 2015 I have a set of AC all Mountain wheels. I ride hard and over everything, and they still run as smooth as the day i bought them. Solid wheels!
Serious Panda Posted November 19, 2015 Posted November 19, 2015 I have been riding AC race wheels for 3 years now and the rear has a few dings. The Race rims are not durable but I still like their light weight. I am also a light weight at 67kgs so this helps. I am not sure whether or not the WL is better with regards to dings in the rim but it probably is less likely to ding. The engagement of AC hub is very slow, a faster engaging hub is a bit better for trail riding. The hubs roll very smoothly.
Patensie Posted November 19, 2015 Posted November 19, 2015 Have ac mtb on my 26er and wides on the 650b. Also have a target weight of 68kg. I prefer the wide lightnings. The 29mm internal width makes a huge difference. Miles explained it properly earlier.
Patensie Posted November 19, 2015 Posted November 19, 2015 the WL is certainly no heffalump. I think our laaities are about the same age judging by your movie reference...
Lance Roberts Posted November 19, 2015 Posted November 19, 2015 Sorry to jump in on your thread OP, just a quick question. Would the Wide Lightnings be ok for someone with a bit of a bigger spare tube around the waiste? Say 94kgs...
raptor-22 Posted November 19, 2015 Posted November 19, 2015 Wide lightning 27.5 rims are 365 gr They are not heavy They are very stiff Can't tell how hard they are to ding as I have only ever dinged one rim in 24years of mountain biking The hubs have also improved leaps and bounds over the last few years to the point where they are good as Hope. You still need to use the supplied disc rotor stiffeners if you run disc rotors that don't have a central hub around the mounting bolt circle.
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