I've had Mavic 719s on XT hubs for the last couple of years but the rear is on it's last legs. Is it worth spending the extra cash and getting a Hope Pro 2 over getting another XT based wheel?
Also, is the noise of the Pro 2 something you get used to?
Cheers
Wiksey
The noise is worth paying extra for.
The noise is something you grow to love 
You can replace everything in an XT hub bar the NDS cup, and cheaply from a new hub (some LX hubs are compatible and on-one are doing them for £10 atm).
As for pro 2, probably better for you if you don't service stuff as much (which sound like it maybe the case)
i like my pro 2's but i dont see that much advantage over the XTs which i used to have. the only major benefit is around servicing. pro 2 are fairly fit and forget whereas XT needs some looking after.
mind you - having just spent £50 on a new freehub (shimano's are £10) i dont think i'd bother with pro 2's again.
but personally i really like the pro 2 click!
Pro IIs in the front, good idea: fit and forget, replace the bearings once every 2 years, and they are only slightly more expensive than XTs (and XT doesn't come in 20mm).
XT on the rear is £80 less (about 1/2 price!), and only really needs the bearings replaced annually unless you do something stupid, whereas the Pro II needs new bearings every 2 years.
Unless you are using one set of wheels for different bikes with different axle designs then the Pro II isn't really worth it unless you are a colour maniac and don't want a black or silver hub)
The noise on them is really nice though, but I'm getting wheels for what my buddies call "a bag of spanners" (Scott Octane) so it'll be noisy whatever, therefore XT for the rear, ProII for the front.
All prices are based on CRC.
i moved to XT from pro2 and cant really see any downside. they are wheels and they go round pretty well.
i hate noisy clicky wheels so the xt please me in that regard. plus the xt wheelsets look wicked on the bike. brraaaappp.
Are XT still steel freehub therefore a fair bit heavier?
cynic-al - you're right that I don't like messing around with wheels which is exactly why I was thinking Pro 2 so I can keep them running til the bearings die and then stick some more in (although I have no idea where to get new ones from).
What's up with my XTs? Well after a couple of years of general abuse the freehub is noisey and the wheel is no where near as free running as it once was. Was advised by my friendly LBS to get saving for a new wheel as this was on it's last legs but they did a free re-grease of it to get me back running a bit better in the mean time and sent me on my merry way.
Well my old Hope Ti glide is slight running strong, some 14 years later.
Only one new set of bearings about 5 years ago, and currently running as a single speed wheel. Must have done well over 25k over the years.
Hope last well, which is why i would buy another
Oh and the Pro 2 on the new bike (7 years old) is still running fine on orginal bearings, though it doesn't get used as much
I have Hope XCs, which have had two new bearing sets in 10 years. The major advantage for me is that you won't break them by using knackered bearings without grease, a la cup and cone hubs.
if you do ever change axle sizes you cant beat pro2s for swapability
If you want to get rid/reduce teh clicking (I don't) you can put a bit more grease in/ around teh pawls / teeth etc as I found out once when I put a bit too much grease in after servicing 
Hope ProIIs are hubs for life. Never underestimate just how good Hope after-service is. I totalled a 2.5 year old rear ProII and the brand new FOC replacement arrived overnight.
Cheers guys, it looks like I'll be paying the extra wodge and getting a new wheel built on a Pro 2.
Wiksey - check out the thread on hope axle movement if you've not already read it, may be worth bearing in mind though, doesn't seem to be a major problem, but it sounds like a design glitch - will bump it up for you now.
Cheers for the tip off Haddock - I had spotted the thread thanks. From the way I read it, the problems seemed to be just with certain fork combos, whereas I'm looking at standard quick release.
Well i was very near to getting a set of Pro2's built for my SS but after talking to a mate in the trade in the last few days he reckons they have far more trouble with Hope hubs than anything else, so its XT hubs on EN521's for me.
I have both and have recently serviced both. The Pro2s after 2 years and the Shimano after 1 year on a bike I have just bought. Cups and cones are a pain in the arse to set up correctly and require regular service. The Pro2s are a doddle to replace bearings on and service whenever hat happens. Pro2 every time for me. The noise is a redsox alerting bonus.
Tragic I've got an EN521/XT rear for sale for £40 if you're interested.
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