Light, but strong, MTB wheelset?

[LHAP]

Hey guys! 

 

I ride a 2017 Cannondale Scalpel-Si Carbon 4 and I'm very happy with the bike's handling, etc.

HOWEVER, it's overall weight is an issue and I find that I'm not climbing as well as I did before :-)

 

I'm quote hard on rims, since I probably don't ride with the necessary finesse... I replaced the OEM Stan's Rapid rims with Spank Oozy Trail 295 hoops and these are holding up very well! 

I'de like to keep these as my training wheels and for rocky trails, but would like to have an additional "racing" wheelset. This set should be much lighter, but still strong, to be able to cope with my far-less-than-perfect riding style... 

 

Any suggestions/ideas for such a wheelset or custom build? (Take into account that the bike has a Lefty fork.)

 

Thanks!

Louis

 

[lechatnoir]

Enve seem fantastic, and I noticed you didn't say cheap...

[greg_sa]

I ride a 2017 Cannondale Scalpel-Si Carbon 4 and I'm very happy with the bike's handling, etc.

HOWEVER, it's overall weight is an issue and I find that I'm not climbing as well as I did before :-)

 

What did you ride before?

[LHAP]

Had a 2013 Scott Spark 910. Good bike, but not the ideal geometry for me. 

The Cannondale has a slacker head angle, which makes a big difference.

 

 

What did you ride before?

[LHAP]

Thanks for the reply, lechatnoir.

 

I love ENVEs, but that would probably be more than I can afford. 

 

I'm contemplating doing a custom build with some South Industries carbon hoops. Would that be cheaper than ENVEs? And will it be strong enough? (Bear in mind I've broken four rims in the seven years I've been mountain biking, which includes a set of Stans Arch EX's...)

 

The big questions here are: Will a carbon rim hold up taking into account my riding style? and Are carbon rims "softer" than alloy ones or just as strong/stronger?

 

Enve seem fantastic, and I noticed you didn't say cheap...

[MitchConway]

To put things into perspective, I have cracked/ snapped two alloy Stans crest rims, since then I have owned a set of roval control sl as well as a set of ENVE wheels. Carbon wheels have never given me an issue (and im also hard on my wheels).

[LHAP]

Attached is a pic of my rig.  

[V18]

Apparently the wide lightnings are amazing. But I think AC is going bust. So no. Perhaps build up some xc nextie hoops with some scylence xtr hubs.

[V18]

What about those "hunt" rims or whatever. Cheap and bomb proof. Don't forget about lyne's new wheels. They are apparently real hardy.

[LHAP]

Thanks Mitch 16,

 

That's music to my ears! I've never owned any carbon wheels, so have no experience with them. 

The fact that you've also broken a couple of alloy rims, but haven't had any issues with carbon versions suggests that I shouldn't have any issues either.

 

To put things into perspective, I have cracked/ snapped two alloy Stans crest rims, since then I have owned a set of roval control sl as well as a set of ENVE wheels. Carbon wheels have never given me an issue (and im also hard on my wheels).

[LHAP]

Will have a look at those, thanks V18!

 

 

Apparently the wide lightnings are amazing. But I think AC is going bust. So no. Perhaps build up some xc nextie hoops with some scylence xtr hubs.

[rudi-h]

just buy enve... you'll thank me in a year from now

[droo]

South Industries make a great product, and it's locally manufactured. Add a set of DT 240S and a good wheelbuilder and you've got a light wheelset that will take a beating.

 

CSixx are also worth a look, they've got the best crash replacement policy I know of.

[BikeisLife]

Local wheels: Csixx or South Industries matched to some DT Swiss hubs - can't go wrong.

If you want to save a little over the above get a wheelset from Nextie.net (China) with DT Swiss hubs. Go for their premium range as they offer a better warranty on these. Super strong, light, great quality and you can choose from a whole bunch of different rims profiles. 

[T-Bob]

Carbon: South / CSixx or check Nextie

 

Alu: Hunt (strong as), Hope (?) or keep rolling on the Spanks... love'd my spanks over my Flows and others I've had. Flows are tough but for some reason I just don't love them. 

 

Money No object: We are One https://we-are-one-composites.odoo.com/page/home - made n tested in Whistler and  have BCXC rims, Enduro rims and DH rims or blow the budget on Enve. 

 

Not to diss any one else experience but I've found AC Wheels awesome for road and the Wide L's are light but they do ding up easy. If I know anything from riding in Namibia you need something that is going to shrug off a few decent sized rocks on a regular basis. 

[LHAP]

Thanks for the feedback, rudi-h.

 

I'll seriously consider the ENVEs 

 

just buy enve... you'll thank me in a year from now