Custom built MTB Wheels

[Paul Hunter]

 

Greetings All

 

I'm in the process of purchasing new wheels for my bike.  It's a choice between Mavic SL/SLR's or custom built Tune hubs and Olympic ZTR rims.  Any advice would be appreciated.

 

Thanks

Paul

 

paul.hunter2007-10-03 00:23:43

[MintSauce]

Go custom. No contest.

 

They'll be as light or lighter depending on the build and more durable. Also easier and cheaper to service.

 

Crossmax spokes cost over R90 each. Replacement rim last time I heard was over R2000. No thank you.

 

Build something unique and special. Have you considered Chris King, Hadley or Hope hubs...? Works of art!

 

Just my 0.02c

 

 

 

[steven]

GO CUSTOM AND STICK TO DT RIMS AND HUBS /

 

MAVIC WE DITCHED AS ITS A NITEMARE

 

SM

[EugeneP]

Custom!! mavic crossmax hubs do not last that long

[Dicky DQ]

ZTR go boy, this is the only option for rims. you chose the hubs; with the right combo they will be the lightest and possibly the strongest. Just remember ZTR were the lightest, but apparently the New Black Mavic rims are the same weight or slightly lighter. That said, the XTR's are bullet proof. This is comming from a 95Kg rider.

Mine have done 2 Epics, Baviaans and Hell and back to name a few. All that has started to happen is that the spoke niples are starting to break off; to be expected.

 

I need to have the wheels rebuilt with new nipples.

 

[1kTT]

I have both and I would go for ZTR Olympics, DT Swiss and Tune hubs no doubt at all.  They are *much* lighter than the Mavics and have been bullet proof for 2 years (I used to weigh 86, now 76).

 

Only issue is that because they are not true tubeless (I run them with a Stans tubeless kit and tubeless tires), you can battle to get a tire to seat when putting it on for the first time.  I ended up getting a compressor for home, otherwise just take a trip to the nearest garage as you need a serious blast of air to make them seal.

 

[Buff]

Agree with most above, go custom rather than crossmax's, although in CMX defence, they have apparently sorted out the issue with the free wheel hub this year and they are pretty rigid/solid.

[1kTT]

forgot to add, if you go custom, you need to make sure that you have a very good wheel builder- it makes all the difference.

[_Daemon_]

Custom with the ZTR rims, but go for Chris King hubs instead of Tune..

[Thug]

Paul, I went for the custom option on my Santa Cruz and sourced from the UK, a complete DT Swiss combination.

 

240s hubs, 4.2 XC Disc rims, Revolution spokes and Brass pro-lock nipples.

 

Total weight and verified by my lbs 1600g.

 

[Dicky DQ]

Only issue is that because they are not true tubeless (I run them with a Stans tubeless kit and tubeless tires)' date=' you can battle to get a tire to seat when putting it on for the first time.  I ended up getting a compressor for home, otherwise just take a trip to the nearest garage as you need a serious blast of air to make them seal.
[/quote']

 

Just use insulation tape on the spoke holes and a tubless valve together with Stans/slime/etc. You can then choose either tubless or non tubless tyres depending on your risk profile.

 

This gives you a superlight wheel.

[TitusTi]

Custom, custom, custom! DT Swiss hubs I've found are generally the most bullet proof and lace them to the Stan's offerings, very good light and strong, use Sapim CX-Rays if you can get them if not use the DT Super Comp.

[casspir]

Paul,

Contact Johan Bornman at www.yellowsaddle.co.za

He is a wheel builder.

 

Regards,

 

casspir

 

casspir2007-10-03 06:03:45

[Racer X]

I have a custom built set of ZTR's on DT Swiss 190 ceramic centrelock hubs, laced with 1.8 -1.5 Revolution spokes, 2 cross rear. The front was built 2 cross on disc side and radial on non disc side. Superlight at 1300 grams and super strong. In short go custom!!!

[Paul Hunter]

Thanks for all the replies guys...Some of the guys I've spoken to say these type of custom wheels are good for one day races not multi day races like SANI2C and Epic?

[MintSauce]

Hey Paul....I don't mean to sound like a **** or anything, but what the hell is the logic behind their thinking?

 

There are clear advantages in my mind to custom wheels. Those advantages are felt when the wheel hits the dirt, irrespective of what race you're doing?

 

Just wondering...?