Help choosing new wheels.

[Alastair_S1D]

Hi there.

 

I am in need of some serious assistance tonight guys.

 

Recently At the Subaru Trailhunter #4 60KM I had a massive crash near the front end of the race. I completely wrote off my Fulcrum Redmetal XL front wheel. Being a bit OCD I have opted to replace both wheels rather than have a weird lopsided bike with two different wheels on. So I would like some assistance in choosing a replacement. Strength and lightweight are important. But If I had to choose it would be strength over weight since I can't afford to keep banging new wheels on my bikes every few rides. 

 

I am currently riding a 2013 Merida Big.NINE 3000D. She came shipped with the Redmetal XL's. At 1750g a pair or there about, they were really nice wheels. Not too heavy but still strong enough to handle bumps to the rim. And I only every had to true them once. So they really were great. I only do XC riding and racing on this bike. So no all mountain or crazy stuff here. And I am a lightweight rider at 63KG.

 

I would like this to be a bit of an upgrade while I am at it. Since I ride for a new start up team I get parts at cost price. Best place to upgrade is the wheels, getting rid of some of that rotational mass. So I would like to try get wheels in the 1700g or less region. Depending on if I have a bit of cash left over, I might get a second cheap heavy training wheelset just to reduce the strain on the nice new ones.

 

I have been quoted north of 15000K at certain shops for Redmetal XRP's (which is the closest I can find to the older Redmetal XL's). So we will say 15K is the price bracket we are looking at.

 

I am currently considering:

Mavic Crossmax  SL Pro's

Fulcrum RedMetal XRP's

Fulcrum RedMetal Zero XRP's

Fulcrum Red Passion

Crank Bro's Cobalt 3's

DT  Swiss XR1501's (Not sure on pricing on these)

 

I am also considering doing a custom build. Not sure where to even start here. So many options to choose from. But that is an option.

 

So with this in mind. Any one have suggestions or recommendations? Any one ridden anything lately that they want to recommend. I really am at a loss and I want to try and be back on the bike before Trailseeker 2.

 

[Rocket-Boy]

Heck for that money you could get AC wide lightnings and have a lightweight, decently wide wheels and a whole bunch of change.

[Alastair_S1D]

Maybe the shops I went to (I won't name them) were just over quoting me with huge mark ups or something? The one shop quoted me 18.5K for Redmetal XRP's and north of 15K for Crossmax SL pro's and 13.5K for Crank Bro's Cobalt 3's.

[Rob Mortimer]

There was someone selling Carbon Rovals for 9K on the hun this week (maybe last week)

Otherwise you could custom build ZTR Crest rims on a variety of hubs at under 15K. Speak to Ruan Deysel @ Spokeworks

[Alastair_S1D]

I was looking at Crests for a custom build. Also looking at WTB KOM's and DT Swiss XR331's.

[Patensie]

Heck for that money you could get AC wide lightnings and have a lightweight, decently wide wheels and a whole bunch of change.

+1

[Rocket-Boy]

I was looking at Crests for a custom build. Also looking at WTB KOM's and DT Swiss XR331's.

WTB KOM's are great rims, maybe a little narrow though.

A really good bet now is the new Stans rims, the crests are decently wide even for XC and nice and lightweight, even better would the the new arch. Build those on some Hope 4's and you have a very strong set of rims that are decently lightweight and will cost probably less than R10k

[Mopkop]

Carbon en klaar. Light-bicycle.com to be exact

 

Shipped and calculated tax/customs R6900. Hope EVO 4 from evanscycles R4500 all in

 

Find a lekker builder this side to supply nice spokes and decent build

 

R11400 without the build

 

BOBS your uncle!

[madbradd]

Carbon en klaar. Light-bicycle.com to be exact

 

Shipped and calculated tax/customs R6900. Hope EVO 4 from evanscycles R4500 all in

 

Find a lekker builder this side to supply nice spokes and decent build

 

R11400 without the build

 

BOBS your uncle!

This. You can get dt350 hubs from a lot of the Chinese manufacturers now as well. You'll land up with a strong 30mm wide wheel set at around 1500g.

[Alastair_S1D]

And spokes?

[madbradd]

And spokes?

Depends on the builder. Pillar are cheap but good bang for buck and you'll find them on a lot of the Chinese builds. Then you have the Sapim, dtswiss, wheelsmith etc as well. If you go to a good wheel builder you'll get good spokes. Just try get brass nipples.

[Lone_Ranger]

I got Crests on Chris King hubs for a song here on the Hub. For less than half of your budget. Great wheels, and quite light.

 

If you ok with second hand, there are some real bargains to be had here. Can get super light race set and heavier training set for about R10k.

[Mopkop]

And spokes?

@ around R15/spoke (DT swiss double butted) * 64 = 960

Build is round about R300/wheel depending on builder

 

Total R1560 and a 6 pack of something lekker!

 

You could go for spokes that are R50/ea but thats if you want a very light wheel

 

PS: The ZAR is looking good now for bringing in your own setup #justsaying

[Riaan373]

Nothing wrong with some spokes from Rapidé @R9 each...

[Alastair_S1D]

Ultimately I want to try go south of 1700g without sacrificing too much strength. From what I have been told by people, that isn't to hard. And at 65KG its not like I would be putting a lot of stress on them.

 

So.

 

Stans Crest rims. Or, DT XR331's. Or WTB KOM i23's.

Hope Pro 4 Hubs, DT Swiss 240S hubs.

Spokes?!? Straight pull, double butted, or DT aero spokes.

Aluminum nipples? vs brass?

 

So many options!

[the nerd]

Ultimately I want to try go south of 1700g without sacrificing too much strength. From what I have been told by people, that isn't to hard. And at 65KG its not like I would be putting a lot of stress on them.

 

So.

 

Stans Crest rims. Or, DT XR331's. Or WTB KOM i23's.

Hope Pro 4 Hubs, DT Swiss 240S hubs.

Spokes?!? Straight pull, double butted, or DT aero spokes.

Aluminum nipples? vs brass?

 

So many options!

 

When it comes to spokes, trust your wheel builder, they will know what spokes are difficult to get in stock etc. Some of these weird shaped spokes are often out of stock! 

 

And nipples... 

 

Brass is the only option!