On my mountain bike i have always kept with the standard wheelset.
Now as i dont have a comparison, what difference could i expect with a more expensive/better rated wheelset.

Just curious really. I have a spesh stumpy and to be honest there isnt much on it im looking at changing.

Lighter, stronger? Faster hub engagement perhaps? To be honest, unless you keep bending wheels or feel that their weight is an issue, I can't see why you'd upgrade.

When I swapped the standard dt wheels on my stumpy to roval traversees it felt like a very different bike to ride. Much quicker pickup/acceleration and quicker up hills. The most significant upgrade you can make to most bikes IMO.

There was a huge thread about this a little while ago with various calculations (which were way beyond my mathematical talents) which concluded that the difference between light and heavy wheels was minimal.

I don't believe it for a second as a lighter rotating mass ie. rims/spokes and tyres primarily, makes an enormous difference IME.

I think you've misreported that thread Woody.

Rotating weight is more important, but you can save it more cheaply with tyres etc

Its difficult for most people to make an objective comparison as the freshly built, taught, spritely new wheels they've bought will always feel better than the loose, tired, old wheels they are replacing. I've switched from old slender 517s to chunky new Big Fat Mammoths and been sure that the new ones feel both lighter and quicker, but if fact they've just been newer. The weight saving actually comes from riding with lighter pockets. 🙂

Where can i get some of these lightweight pockets you talk of?

Where can i get some of these lightweight pockets you talk of?

Send me £50 and I'll tell you.

I'll sell you some, but they are pricy!

Oooh ooh, let me play please!

1. How much weight can you actually save by buying lighter wheels, tyres, tubes?
2. How much does it cost?
3. What actual performance gains can I expect?

3) Is easy apparently you'll be much fast up hills and no it's not Emperor's New Clothes.

lighter wheels cause hair loss conversely heavier wheels make you more attractive to the opposite sex.

…and has anyone told the 29er boys about this?

lighter wheels cause hair loss conversely heavier wheels make you more attractive to the opposite sex.

Hmmm! I guess I'm the exception.

How much time does extra weight cost on Alpe d’Huez?

This is worth a read, especially the comments section at the bottom, and would suggest that my scepticism regarding weight and rotating weight is well placed…

(especially when considered in the actual context of mountain biking in the UK by STWers…)

cool. thanks all. 😛

on a road bike wheel weight makes a huge difference, mostly because of higher rotating speed.

On a mtb, unless you were a XC racer, i dont see that its as big a deal

Cynic-al

Mis-reported ? Possibly but I lost the will to live half way through it.

Thread in question HERE

on a road bike wheel weight makes a huge difference

How big is this 'huge'?

Actaully I can see how bol is the expert now on how much quicker his bike will be up hills now, I mean the guy lives in Norfolk. 😯

Actaully I can see how bol is the expert now on how much quicker his bike will be up hills now, I mean the guy lives in Norfolk

Maybe he drives tut thills

I hope he has light wheels on his car so he gets there quicker. 😛