Wheels: good enough vs really good

[MudLark]

Hi guys,

 

I'm riding a Trek Superfly 8 Alpha Elite FS 29er, mainly weekend warrior XC with a few jumps thrown in here and there and looking forward to some multi-stage XC races/tours later in the year. Bike came standard with Bontrager Mustang Elite wheels, which I believe are pretty much entry level but have served me reasonably well. So Sunday I ploughed it in decently and bust up the front wheel rim pretty nicely (myself too, but that's another story). 

 

As a result, I dropped it off with Wynand at CycleLab (great guy!) and after some discussion told him to retain the Mustang Elite hubs (which seem just fine and have new cartridge bearings in them) and to fit AlexRims Volar 2.5 rims back and front (which AlexRims claim are fine for enduro work too). This is also an inner width upgrade from 19mm to 25mm; I'm running Maxxis Crossmark IIs of 2.25" width. I imagine the rebuilt wheels will be serviceable for a weekend warrior and I'm hoping the increased width will improve the handling and feel a bit.

 

But at the same time I'm asking myself whether it makes sense to upgrade to a really decent set of wheels... and I don't really know the answer to that, which is the reason for this post.

 

Let's assume I get someone to build me a set of wheels along these lines: Hope Pro4 hubset, RaceFace ARC 27 rims with DT Swiss double butted spokes. Circa R9k all in. What advantages should I expect to realise from buying a really decent set of wheels over what I have (after CycleLab has done the rebuild), besides the fact that I'll have a spare set of wheels?

 

Any thoughts and input gratefully received...

[Captain Fastbastard Mayhem]

You'll gain more by the upgrade to the ones you've asked about and some proper tyres (NOT crossmarks) than an upgrade to the Arcs. 

 

Alexs MAY be a bit more soft than the ARCs, but I'm not entirely sure. Alex make a shedload of wheels, and can make a very strong set fit for DH and rampage. Not sure how the Volars stack up, though. 

[Captain Fastbastard Mayhem]

In essence, the upgrade would purely be for bling status. Not really that much in terms of functionality or durability, IMO. I could be wrong, but that's my take. 

[MudLark]

Thank you Mayhem. From what I read the Volar 2.5s seem pretty tough. I suspect they'll be quite a bit stronger than what I had.

 

As to tyres, what would you be thinking about as a better option than the Crossmark IIs?

[bertusras]

https://www.on-lynecomponents.com/collections/wheels/products/copy-of-amp-30-alloy-wheelset-29-boost

 

or

 

https://www.rapide.co.za/product/rapide-tr29-25w-wheelset-v2/

 

and some proper tyres would be my bet

[coppi]

[MudLark]

Thank you Bert. I'll take a look at them.

 

 

https://www.on-lynecomponents.com/collections/wheels/products/copy-of-amp-30-alloy-wheelset-29-boost
 
or
 
https://www.rapide.co.za/product/rapide-tr29-25w-wheelset-v2/
 
and some proper tyres would be my bet

[ChUkKy]

Hi guys,

 

I'm riding a Trek Superfly 8 Alpha Elite FS 29er, mainly weekend warrior XC with a few jumps thrown in here and there and looking forward to some multi-stage XC races/tours later in the year. Bike came standard with Bontrager Mustang Elite wheels, which I believe are pretty much entry level but have served me reasonably well. So Sunday I ploughed it in decently and bust up the front wheel rim pretty nicely (myself too, but that's another story). 

 

As a result, I dropped it off with Wynand at CycleLab (great guy!) and after some discussion told him to retain the Mustang Elite hubs (which seem just fine and have new cartridge bearings in them) and to fit AlexRims Volar 2.5 rims back and front (which AlexRims claim are fine for enduro work too). This is also an inner width upgrade from 19mm to 25mm; I'm running Maxxis Crossmark IIs of 2.25" width. I imagine the rebuilt wheels will be serviceable for a weekend warrior and I'm hoping the increased width will improve the handling and feel a bit.

 

But at the same time I'm asking myself whether it makes sense to upgrade to a really decent set of wheels... and I don't really know the answer to that, which is the reason for this post.

 

Let's assume I get someone to build me a set of wheels along these lines: Hope Pro4 hubset, RaceFace ARC 27 rims with DT Swiss double butted spokes. Circa R9k all in. What advantages should I expect to realise from buying a really decent set of wheels over what I have (after CycleLab has done the rebuild), besides the fact that I'll have a spare set of wheels?

 

Any thoughts and input gratefully received...

 

Ping @nick_the_wheelbuilder

[MudLark]

I've chatted to Nick and if I'm going to go the custom wheel route, he's the man for sure.

 

 

Ping @nick_the_wheelbuilder

[droo]

Ride em till they break. My guess is the hubs will fail before the rims (probably freehub if Bontrager's previous offerings are anything to go by), and in the meantime you'll have a far better experience with the wider profile.

 

You've spent the cash, rather get some use out of them and upgrade when you have to.

[MudLark]

Thanks guys. A bit of reading round the web tells me that the Bontrager hubs I have are probably pretty okay. Just to start with they engage more rapidly than the Hope Pro 4s (6.6 degrees vs 8.2 degrees, not that I think I'll actually notice a 1.6 degree difference). The AlexRims in question seem very strong from what I read. So I'll probably just hang onto them as per the advice in the previous post.

 

I'm going to check out those Rapides Bert linked. Be nice to have a second set of wheels for serious trail work and keep the Crossmarks for the tar and hardpack....

[BenReaper]

I think your on the right track with the Bontrager hubs laced to the Volar rims, that will make for a decent wheelset for your level of riding. IMHO it's not worth spending a boat load of money on a expensive wheelset, it's not like your gonna be dicing it out with Nino in a WC race.[emoji6]

On the subject of your tyres I personally think the Crossmark II are pretty decent tyres, wuth the new wider width and the improved tread pattern they offer much better grip than there predecessors.

I'd personally run the Crossmark II as a rear tyre and pair it with a Ardent 2.4 in the front( the big beefy one, not the race).

My first choice would however remain Vittoria Barzo front and Saguaro rear, they offer a great balance between grip, weight and durability.

 

 

Sent from my SM-A520F using Tapatalk

[MudLark]

Thank you very much Ben. Indeed, it's not like I am going to be racing Nino… Especially given that as of next year I qualify for grandmasters… Which also means that falling off has become a little less enjoyable than in the past. :-)

 

I'm going to take your advice ongoing with a better set of tyres, especially for the front. I'll have a look at the Vittorias as well.

[nick_the_wheelbuilder]

Thank you very much Ben. Indeed, it's not like I am going to be racing Nino… Especially given that as of next year I qualify for grandmasters… Which also means that falling off has become a little less enjoyable than in the past. :-)

 

I'm going to take your advice ongoing with a better set of tyres, especially for the front. I'll have a look at the Vittorias as well.

 

Try the Maxxis Forecaster 2.35 in front - I've heard good things.

 

Personally I run a Maxxis Aggressor in the front and Ardent 2.25 out back and find it's a good combination for aggressive riding.

[Captain Fastbastard Mayhem]

Try the Maxxis Forecaster 2.35 in front - I've heard good things.

 

Personally I run a Maxxis Aggressor in the front and Ardent 2.25 out back and find it's a good combination for aggressive riding.

the Aggressor 2.5 is the tyre I'd choose on the front for aggressive XC riding. It looks like an excellent tyre, and just that bit chunkier than the 2.3

[PhilipV]

the Aggressor 2.5 is the tyre I'd choose on the front for aggressive XC riding. It looks like an excellent tyre, and just that bit chunkier than the 2.3

Nee man. The OP mentioned marathon and stage races, not Enduro.