I could buy one of the three wheelsets for the next CX season. Which pair should I choose?
1., Mavic Aksium
2., Dura Ace 7700 hubs, DT plain spokes, Mavic Open Pro rims
3. White Industries hubs, HT double butted spokes, Sun Assault SL 1 rims
So... what is the best solution?
I'd go for Dura Ace 7700 hubs, DT plain spokes, Mavic Open Pro rims
I run a set of older Dura Ace hubs with same set up
Cross chews through rims/hubs/chains.....
I'd go for No 2, but why would anyone spec plain guage spokes if they're willing to pay for Dura Ace and Open Pro? They're not stronger, just heavier and cheaper.
I'm pleased with the way my Aksiums have coped with riding on the Quantocks and if I do manage to break one they're not too expensive to replace.
No2 for me but spec butted spokes
Okay... I'd choose the 2nd option, if they were with better spokes. But it's too expensive if I have to change them. Anyway, tha wheelset is about 1820g... a little bit on the heavy side.
The WI hubs with Sun rims weight 1560g.
I'd go for some 38mm or 50mm carbon rims from ebay.
Just built some up myself. They are brilliant for the money.
Carbon rims and mud?is that a good combination regarding longevity and stopping power?
Carbon rims and mud?is that a good combination regarding longevity and stopping power?
No probs with carbon rims, in fact the deep section actually helps shed mud. Anyway, the braking surface is still aluminium.
I'd go with option 2 but use double butted spokes. Stronger and lighter. In fact I know some wheelbuilders who won't use plain gauge. Aksiums are nice (and they're pretty cheap) but they're quite heavy.
Stopping power is pretty good I've found. If your just using them for racing they should last a few seasons. My mate is still on some carbon rims from 3 years ago that have seen regular use in mud/wet.
Mud and braking surfaces will grind through any rim in time, no matter the material.
Ah right I was thinking carbon braking surface as well
Mine are full carbon. Braking in CX isn't as important as road racing, you never need to fully stop just scrub the speed.
You need to stop on the peaks though 
And what about the sealing of the hubs?
Hope do open pro's on monos as a pre built set.I've just built myself some hope hubs on Mavic Reflex tub rims,just waiting for £120 worth of Tufo's to arrive 
I'll be using up some Aksiums this year, they are heavy but my tyres are 180g each lighter this year.
I'd go DA on Open Pro. Infinately rebuildable. And a hub service just takes a few minutes.
The other one? a bit STW'y really
Im using 105 hubs and open pro rims with butted sapim spokes this year
Well I wouldn't use carbon tubs for general riding around! Only for races, which is what drotos asked.
I wouldn't buy fully built up wheels from ebay also, I got the rims and built them up on ultegra hubs, so seals are pretty good.
I would go with the Aksium. I have found Mavics factory built wheel to be good all rounders. The Mavic hubs are pretty good too I rate them a lot more than crappy Shimano hubs.
And what about the sealing of the hubs?
So nobody knows White Industries hubs and Sun rims... Just because there aren't any post on that pair.
So nobody knows White Industries hubs and Sun rims... Just because there aren't any post on that pair
Aren't they for folk with Brooks saddles and gem encrusted bike parts?
Aren't they for folk with Brooks saddles and gem encrusted bike parts?
Maybe... 
But maybe they are useable for CX, too. The hubs have sealed bearings and titan freehub.
I have a Brooks saddle but only mud encrusted bike parts
Price and weight is on apar with Shimano. DA has a titanium body.
It's the sealed bearings bit I don't like on a cross bike. Water ingress isn't a problem, but steel balls in grease really can take some hammering.
Shimano DA 7700 hubs heavier than White Industries.
I'm worried about the weight of the complete wheelset. 1820g is too much, without skewers, isn't it?
Just noticed they're DA7700 so yes heavier. I still have them at nearer 1650g
Rims 870 pr
Hubs 418 pr
spokes 360 per 64.
I have the WI hubs at less 45g and rims less 54g, not sure on the spokes.
The spokes are lighter, too... because they are double butted.
I have these three options at the moment. The DA7700 set costs £100, the WI set costs £145. Anything else would be much more expensive.
Didn't pay attention at first, wondered why Aksiums were in there 
Tricky then, but bearing in mind all the parts will wear I'd still go DA. However if they're disposable I'd go WI, or if you can guarantee getting WI bearings then perhaps I would go for them.
WI hubs use standard bearings.
I've decided to get the nr.3 wheelset. White Industries hubs have standard sealed cartridge bearings. I hope the Sun rims and HT spokes will be OK, too. But I could easily replace every bits.
I'm just about to get a pair of Hope Pro3 on Mavic Open Pro Rims..
See how I get on with them I reckon.
Have a look at the roval pave sl from Evans £179.99 and near 1500 with deep section rims too.
I'd pick up some cheap carbon tub rims from Planet X, couple them with Dura Ace or Ultegra hubs and get some tubs glued on there!
Mud and braking surfaces will grind through any rim in time, no matter the material.
Ceramic?
Aren't the 38 & 50mm carbon rims no lighter than open pros?
I'd get the PX 250gm rims and tubs.
I'd get a lighter front hub, 100gm for £30 is easy on ebay.
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