Wil6 Posted October 18, 2016 Posted October 18, 2016 I'm looking to upgrade my MTB with either a Carbon wheelset, or a set of American Classic Wide Lightnings. I've only heard good things about the Wide Lightnings, and they are very lite wheels at 1569 per pair. Is it worth spending the extra 8k on Carbon Hoops?
Wolf Lyle Posted October 18, 2016 Posted October 18, 2016 I'm keen to hear the opinions on this ... Also looking at some wide lightning's
Pulse Posted October 18, 2016 Posted October 18, 2016 With carbon you get great increases in stiffness, its not just about the weight saving. Is it worth it; probably not - but only you can decide that
Jewbacca Posted October 18, 2016 Posted October 18, 2016 It depends on how you like to ride and what you like to ride... Wide Lightening rims ding very easily. I akin their structural fortitude to that of a block of cheese.... But for price/performance/weight they seem to be the choice of many. On a marathon bike in SA marathon conditions I would say the price point is super attractive, but on hard hitting trails I would say look at the carbon. Good luck!
Mopkop Posted October 18, 2016 Posted October 18, 2016 I've upgraded from Crests on Hope2 hubs to Carbon wide rims on Hope 4 hubs. I weigh 68kgs. The biggest difference that I have noticed and can feel is that the wideness is what makes the difference. The feeling on the bike has changed and the tyre has got a bigger "foot print" if I can call it that. Theres more grip and better control for when things get out of hand You wont be saving weight with the carbons. If you can afford the carbons then do it! I went hookless and the lip of the rim is thicker and stronger than on the crests I had. The carbon rim is solid. Got mine from light bicycle In retrospect I would of saved quite a bit had I gotten a set of wide lightnings
Zorro5614 Posted October 18, 2016 Posted October 18, 2016 Had my Wide Lightnings for about 4 months without any issues. Great all round wheel. Not damage so far even on very rough terrain. They run very well on climbs flats and downhills. I have an Ardent 2.4 at the front and these run extremely wide on the Wide Lightnings, almost like a fat bike. Haven't noticed the slow hub engagement that some people mention. Think mainly pro riders might notice this, but not a novice like me.
Wil6 Posted October 18, 2016 Author Posted October 18, 2016 It depends on how you like to ride and what you like to ride... Wide Lightening rims ding very easily. I akin their structural fortitude to that of a block of cheese.... But for price/performance/weight they seem to be the choice of many. On a marathon bike in SA marathon conditions I would say the price point is super attractive, but on hard hitting trails I would say look at the carbon. Good luck!Thanks. My budget just don't allow for a set of Carbon Wheels. But I do see that there is a nice Carbon wheelset on Ali Express that is more within my budget. Anyone using Chinese Carbon Wheels?
mtbDobby Posted October 18, 2016 Posted October 18, 2016 I weigh in at 86kg's and am riding the wide lightings...not a single dent or any other damage and I am hard on my bike - just did berg and bush/ashburton(dullstroom) and a number of Nissan races on these and they are awesome!! I was also wondering whether to buy carbon - I have not ridden carbon so cant draw a comparison but the AC's get 10/10 from me so far.
robsc Posted October 18, 2016 Posted October 18, 2016 I also ride Wide Lightnings and weigh in at 92kg , no problems so far . I do however always ride them at 2.0 bar (Maxxis Ikon 2,2)
nonky Posted October 18, 2016 Posted October 18, 2016 Following this thread with interest...itching to buy carbon hoops for my MTB for Sani. Does anyone have any experience of HOPE WHEELS (ie fully-built wheelset) - the XC or the Enduro wheels?
Serious Panda Posted October 18, 2016 Posted October 18, 2016 Go for carbon wheels it is worth it in terms of performance and durability and hassle. A carbon wheelset will pay for itself with time compared to an alu AC wheelset.
MarcW Posted October 18, 2016 Posted October 18, 2016 Wide Lightnings are a great, quality product. Some people say they ding easy, I took my set with a flat rear tyre down Groenlandberg without suffering any major dings. They are just pure class. The wide profile is also a game changer with regards to handling.
Goodbadugly Posted October 18, 2016 Posted October 18, 2016 Carbon is the popular answer.Lighter, stiff. About the 'stiff' thing. How do you determine stiffness with a 1.5 bar tire?I see an alarming amount of single carbon wheels and rims being sold in the mtb classifieds. Usually the front wheel is for sale. Makes one wonder what happened to the other wheel.Just an observation.
Noshow Posted October 18, 2016 Posted October 18, 2016 If you get the carbon ones, be careful with the exhaust if you have a towbar rack. It's quite easy to melt them.
Grey Hubs Posted October 18, 2016 Posted October 18, 2016 AC Wide Lightning wheels rock! I have 2 sets and love them. With a 2.2 or 2.4 on the front and you have plenty of grip.The extra width and lower tyre pressure helps with more comfort in the rear for sure! More that a year and still running well! I would rather live with a ding on ALU than deal with a crack in Carbon!
IH8MUD Posted October 18, 2016 Posted October 18, 2016 Also have two sets of AC WL.They even last on my rigid SS MTB on some very rocky trails. No dings, still running true. I weigh 87 kg at the moment. The "slow hub engagement" is only perceived when used on the SS because I pedal out of the saddle much more frequently and if the terrain gets a bit technical I notice how much the crank rotate before I get the hub to engage. Would also like carbon rims, but just to expensive for me.
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