AC Wide Lightning vs Stans MK3 Arch (on Hope 4) 29'er

[FCH]

just a quick poll- in the market for new hoops.

 

96kg's (so Crest is out on the game), pocket aint deep enough for carbon. 

 

AC's are substantially lighter and no issue with rider weight, both run quite a wide rim for beefier tyre choice.

 

price seems pretty similar.

 

 

[Pulse]

Make it an actual poll?

 

I like the AC hoops, but also really like the Hope hubs...

 

AC W/L on the Hope hubs?

[Fox3]

Had Arch EX previously quite enjoyed them. Heard that Wide lightnings are awesome. Do they really cost the same? Though Arch's were a little less expensive. I reckon go for the Arch's, unless you worried about the weight thing.

[FCH]

it probably should have been an actual poll.... sorry.

 

think part of the benefit or rimming AC on its own hub is its high flange that shortens spokes to increase rigidness. (thats how I understand it...) and cant seem to find anyone having had issues with their 6 paw engagement mechanism. 

 

 

Make it an actual poll?

I like the AC hoops, but also really like the Hope hubs...

AC W/L on the Hope hubs?

[Pulse]

it probably should have been an actual poll.... sorry.

 

think part of the benefit or rimming AC on its own hub is its high flange that shortens spokes to increase rigidness. (thats how I understand it...) and cant seem to find anyone having had issues with their 6 paw engagement mechanism.

Agree

[IH8MUD]

AC W/L is awesome wheels. 

I have 2 sets. 

Nice wide rim, low weight, rolls really nice.

Very good bang for you buck.  

 

Only one thing. . . . .  hub engagement in on the very slow side.

Find it most distracting on the SS and especially in the slow technical stuff. 

 

If you could have those rimes on the Hope hubs!! 

[Knersboy]

I have a set of wide lightings and I can vouch for them. Two years now, many many rock strikes, one ding in the rear rim but hasn't caused any issues at all. Wheels are still perfectly true and bearings still smooth.

 

The engagement is a bit slow, but you get used to it quickly.

 

The wide rims allow me to run 2.3 tyres at 1.5 bar (I weigh 70), gives maningi grip.

[Goblin]

Currently have both (long story), but AC's are lighter and they seem to climb a bit better (better traction on the loose stuff).

MK3's have better hubs (less fiddly) and sound great, I use them to scare rattlesnakes off the trail.

 

Mk3's cost me a bit more but I had them custom built.

You cant go wrong with either way.

[madbradd]

You sure you can't go Chinese Carbon for R9k?

 

I'm about 10kgs heavier than you and riding a wheelset from YishunBike for a couple years now, really enjoy the wheelset. light, stiff, responsive, easy to service the hubs.

 

1550g, 28/28 straightpull spokes on Chosen hubs (though since I bought you can get them on DT350s), and 25/30mm wide.

 

Of the two you put up, I'd probably go Hope/Arch but mainly because I'm heavier and pushing the limit on the AC wheelset.

[Captain Fastbastard Mayhem]

One thing to remember is that the WL is substantially wider than the new arch. A better comparison would be the new flow.

 

Personally I'd go for the WL over the arch any day of the week. If you're considering the flow vs the WL I'd go flow for the extra strength. But they will be heavier and you ARE within the max weight limit of the WL.

 

For you, given your weight, WL all the way

[FCH]

thats was my gut feel, thanks Myles. Opinion on sticking to their own build vs custom build with ex Hope4's? I am sure the engagement "time" can probably be felt by some, personally I think these hubs are all at such a level that this going to make almost no difference to my riding performance...?

One thing to remember is that the WL is substantially wider than the new arch. A better comparison would be the new flow.

Personally I'd go for the WL over the arch any day of the week. If you're considering the flow vs the WL I'd go flow for the extra strength. But they will be heavier and you ARE within the max weight limit of the WL.

For you, given your weight, WL all the way

[Captain Fastbastard Mayhem]

thats was my gut feel, thanks Myles. Opinion on sticking to their own build vs custom build with ex Hope4's? I am sure the engagement "time" can probably be felt by some, personally I think these hubs are all at such a level that this going to make almost no difference to my riding performance...?

The engagement will only be a potential issue if you're constantly backpedalling to get up tricky technical climbs. Otherwise you don't notice it as it's permanently engaged.

 

That said, pairing them with a set of pro4's would be just wonderful!!!

[FCH]

thanks for not helping at all! 

The engagement will only be a potential issue if you're constantly backpedalling to get up tricky technical climbs. Otherwise you don't notice it as it's permanently engaged.

That said, pairing them with a set of pro4's would be just wonderful!!!

[Captain Fastbastard Mayhem]

thanks for not helping at all!

Lol. Okay. In order of preference, from most to least

 

WL on Pro4

WL standard

Arch on Pro4

[ZakAttak]

As nice as the wide lightnings are, they tend to ding easily... which I'm assuming is because of the material used to make up the rim in order to keep the weight of the wheelset down.... I would still go with the wide lightnings, the new graphics or less thereof seems to be to my liking...

[FCH]

could be that guys are running it at super low pressure? I rarely go under 1.6- 1.8 front/back

As nice as the wide lightnings are, they tend to ding easily... which I'm assuming is because of the material used to make up the rim in order to keep the weight of the wheelset down.... I would still go with the wide lightnings, the new graphics or less thereof seems to be to my liking...