[Closed] Biker ALERT! Get good wheels first not good components.

Who cares what other people do with their money, as long as they are having fun?

If I were looking for an upgrade for my bike it would be the fleshy thing on top. Can't ride for shit and is no where near the capabilities of the bike. Clear weak point.

WT and Actual F?

My shite wheels have lasted me years when other more expensive components have broken. It doesn't bother me. MTFU

I thought my wheels were components.

Thanks, I'll put that on a post it note and stick it on my fridge. It's a really really serious issue, people need to be told.

And I thought yesterday's 'how to wash your kit' post was daft!

This is gonna be good 🙂

Right, I'm on my way to the expensive wheel shop right away!
(Sound of door slamming and diminishing running footsteps)

I use bbq-beef hula hoops for my wheels and have a full sram xx1 and a diamond encrusted carbon-frame.

You need these:
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Can you enlighten me with what good wheels are? And for that matter what poor wheels are. Same with components?

If I have an xt level groupset are my hope hoops ok or should I really be thinking about chris king hubs? Maybe CK hubs are more XTR? I suppose it is easy if you just stick to shimano based components as they have XT, XTR wheels. But then one of my bikes has SRAM, do SRAM make wheels? Also singlespeed, has a very limited number of comonents, which ones should I be matching to my wheels?

Is this only for mtb? I have multiple wheels for my road bike. Do deep section go up a catagory in terms of components or is it still ok to use 50mm carbon rims and ultegra. My training wheels/non race wheels are lower spec, is it ok to use them or should I think about some training cranks as well?

Any help appreciated as I'm confused an might need to sell my bikes, I suppose if I bought off the peg bikes that would be fine? Still some manufacturers scrimp on hubs, maybe you should right to Specialized, my FSR elite came with an SLX level rear hub but and XTR rear mech - INSANE!

Surely the tyres will make far more difference than wheels, followed by the frame and suspension for that matter.

Thank you so much for this post I now feel educated. Where's my wallet?

Based on my experience, new legs and lungs should be top of most people's lists. That's where there's real gains to be made.

Thank you so much for this post I now feel educated. Where's my wallet? Are E thirteen TRS good enough for my stumpy or do I need to go carbon because I have a XTR rear mech?

forexpipz could you tell us all what wheels/components you have on your bike(s)?

Also why is it a 'recurring problem' and for who?

What if I build my own wheels, where on the shite/bling scale would they sit? Or is it just dependent on components used and not the skill of the wheel builder? Heeeeeeyyyyyyylllllppppppp!!!!!!!! 😕

How immensely peculiar!

Is it like hi-fi equipment where you need to spend, IIRC, 10-20% of the budget on cables? Is there a % that we can use?
My frame/forks only cost me £600 but my wheels were nearly £400. Am I safe?

Am I safe?

You need to be educated!

On my five my rear wheel is a Hope bulb on Mavic EN321 and my front is a pro 2 on EN521, will this be a problem or do I need to replace one of the wheels? My other components are generally ok, mid level I suppose, should I upgrade all the bits to be at the same level of goodness? And then will my frame need a respray..........

Tragically when I built up my first 29er, I got some Reetard wheels, £99 + free Nevegals (which were like 1kg each), huge wide things, the bike was awesome. Upgraded to expensive narrow wheels, it's never been quite as much fun.

I see from the OPs own threads, he neglects to line up the tyre/rim logos on his wheels. Seriously need to educate the masses on here because its a recurring problem.

That's death for must of us then.

I'l take the risk. I like living on the edge.

Gone are the days of "what tyre" threads....

It will now be:

What wheels for xxxxx frame?
Or
What wheels go best with these components?

I'd suggest that taking advice from someone who is either in finance, was in finance or wants to be in finance (looking at the username) may not be the wisest course.

In any case, I have some expensive wheels and some cheap ones. I like the expensive ones because they look awesome but I couldn't honestly tell you that they are "better" than the 6 year old ones I got on a Commencal HT.

its a recurring problem

It keeps coming around?

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hold on, he's got a point, utter balls wheels are pants

[img] [/img]

ah so what your saying is if i hadnt given the good lady the good light TT wheels on tuesday night i would have won ?

instead i had some 2kg wheels on my TT bike with good components and was totally pants*.....

* May or may not be true .....

I've just ordered a new X9 2x10 direct mount front mech.

What wheels should I buy to go with it? 😕

OP you are the bike angel - save us all from ourselves
Hellelujah

Troll

What really annoys me is that some people spend £3-4k on a bike and then completely fail to fit adequate cooking facilities.

One guy I ride with is making do with a bar-mounted toaster. 🙄

I mean, WTF?

Wow, much hatred. I'd say its a valid point, much better to spend £300 to upgrade to good wheels rather than the same on purple ti bolts (showing my age there)

One guy I ride with is making do with a bar-mounted toaster.

If you're going fast enough though, when the toast pops out it'll land right in your lap 😀

Would an Audi be classed as good wheels?

I'd say its a valid point

I agree, if desperately clumsy in its delivery.

I agree with the op, heavy wheels make for a sluggish ride.

More importantly, why has nobody posted any advice on how to keep my wheels (and other components) clean? I NEED TO KNOW!

I've running cheapie superstar wheels directly connected to a pair of top-of-the-range Marzocchi 55rc3tis. Do I need to see a priest and seek forgiveness for my unholy ways? Or am I doomed to a fiery hell?

I agree with the op, heavy wheels make for a sluggish ride.

Aah, but what's better - some Crests on A2Z hubs, or Enves on Chris King hubs? The former are lighter, but are they 'better', or indeed good enough to asuage the OP?

[i]Wow, much hatred[/i]

I wouldn't say hatred, light hearted piss taking yes but hatred not in the slightest.

What sort of reaction would the OP really expect from [i]Seriously need to educate the masses on here because its a recurring problem[/i] which is completely OTT.

Would an Audi be classed as good wheels?

As long as it's got a 5 on top 😉

Xt hubs / mavic 717 rims, mostly xt components.

Home and hosed. In your face losers!

Xt hubs / mavic 717 rims, mostly xt components

Surely you should have XT rims too?? Be careful out there 😉

Because components wear out quickly and thus you get to upgrade them first. And the wheels don't really wear out nowadays so you have to kill them or actually decide that they're holding you back. Most wheels are up to the job.

Actually, one of the things I like about mountain biking is that everyones bike is quite different and reflects what they think is important to them. I don't think it's true that wheels make the most difference like on the road. Forks and suspension in general makes a massive difference, as does cockpit setup, gearing (see discussion on 1x11) etc.etc.

Educate yourself??

Actually, one of the things I like about mountain biking is that everyones bike is quite different...

Mine isn't.

EN321 and my front is a pro 2 on EN521

I agree with the sentiment - better wheels will have a bigger impact than a posh rear mech or set of cranks.

However, it's their money they can spend it on what they want. Wheels can also seem pretty pricey hence why they may get left right to the end.

Is it school holidays again already ??

see, that's fine: averages out to an even number

No it doesn't - the average is EN421, and that's about the exposure of materials to ionising radiation, which sounds pretty worrying. I'd be changing them.

Who's got the Hobnobs? Would you pass one here please?

I see so many people with insanely good coffee in their cups yet their biscuits are crap. We need to educate the masses on this one.

Aah, but what's better - some Crests on A2Z hubs, or Enves on Chris King hubs? The former are lighter, but are they 'better', or indeed good enough to asuage the OP?

Having owned both, the Enves by a country mile.

But it was in reference to Tom's comment that lighter = better, that goes against that!

This gives quite a high reading on the WTF-o-meter...

Glad I've just poured a brew , this could run a little yet.

What does make a good wheel ?
Light
Strong
Exspencive
Bling

Lol

I hate to pander to the highly spurious nature of the OP but........not uncommonly I see blingy CK hubs on 317s - which is an internal WTF for me. Very expensive hubs on about the cheapest mavic rims available. Answers on a postcard please.

Very expensive hubs on about the cheapest mavic rims available. Answers on a postcard please.

They're perfectly adequate rims as rim quality doesn't vary [i]that [/i]much?

Personally I think buying Mavic rims full stop is pretty inexplicable, but each to their own and that! Not really any different to putting a King headset in an On One (for example).

good hubs will last decades even with a little abuse, you can ruin a rim with half a second of poor judgement.

why buy expensive rims?

they're a bit like rear mechs, i am gullible enough to accept that XTR mechs may last a bit longer than deore, but mechs don't wear out, they work just fine for a random amount of time, before being smashed into a rock.

deore mech, xt shifters.
317 rims, CK hubs.

same difference.

except, deore hubs are bloody great. You can squeeze decades out of them if you know how to use a cone spanner.

317 rims + deore hubs FTW! 🙂

Having owned both, the Enves by a country mile.

You would say that though wouldn't you. 🙂

What is it about them that's so amazing? I used to have wheels that came on my Pitch that were apparently crap. Then got some Merlin built 817 Hope Hoops, now Stans Flow. Had a go on some Mavic Crossmax wheels.

Apart from potential issues of durability/weight - I've never noticed any difference in use. I'm not sure I buy the idea that anyone could really tell the difference in a blind test. Is it supposed to be the stiffness?

I can see the advantage in performance with some expensive stuff but as long as wheels go round and don't break they've done their job haven't they?

So cheap frame and good wheels it is.

Right going to sell all my bikes now as I've got it all wrong.

I'm not sure I buy the idea that anyone could really tell the difference in a blind test. Is it supposed to be the stiffness?

To be fair, since I've not been riding much and have got fat(ter) I can now feel noticeable flex in my Podium wheels, thought I had a puncture the other day when cornering hard, so I can buy into the fact that carbon rims are stiffer. Personally I still struggle with the collosal premium that seems to garner though, particularly when Taiwan is producing some very nice looking carbon rims for 1/5 the price of Enves and the aforementioned Podiums are still lighter than anything Enve do.

I'm a teacher so technically do educate the Masses.

I'll make sure I add a lesson on this to our key stage three schemes of work for next year. Thanks for the heads up.... I Don't know how my riding might have progressed without your wise words.

Who's got the Hobnobs? Would you pass one here please?

Hobnob-eater ALERT! Don't breathe in whilst biting or you'll choke on the crunchy little bits.

I'm a huge stans fan , podiums / race gold on the hardtails
And arch ex on the enduro , light far cheaper than carbon
And for me Stiff enough

Maybe it's the dull looks that put people off

W

ow, much hatred. I'd say its a valid point, much better to spend £300 to upgrade to good wheels rather than the same on purple ti bolts

Agreed but what's it got to do with anyone else what wheels people ride?

Imagine that's why the OP has copped for it.

You lot are carnivores. Wasn't expecting such a heated debate in such a short time frame.

Is it a record?

You lot are carnivores.

Best not get started off down that trail. As evidenced from the last few 'veggie' megathreads, this isnt entirely accurate.....

I'd like to know where I stand, I have nice components and hubs on my singlespeed but cheap spokes, relatively heavy (but deliberatly chosen) rims and a cheap frame. When will someone be round to educate/save me?

Good trollin'

I'm thinking of upgrading the fondue set on my Reign. Can anyone recommend oven-to-tableware to match a top of the range Le Creuset? Ideally in a teal or sunset finish.

i always got the best rims/hubs/spokes/tires i could afford, i know about the rolling massive m8

I didn't want to risk not enjoying myself by riding on crappy wheels, so I took them off just before I went for a spin. To be fair to the OP, my bike did feel a lot lighter but, bizarrely, wasn't any quicker over my normal training loop. I remain unconvinced...

[i]Wasn't expecting such a heated debate[/i]

I don't think there's any heated debate. Pretty much everyone is of the same opinion.

Ok so the delivery was a little clumsy. Sometimes light hearted trolling can be fun.

So i'm not talking to you loosers any more. I'll only speak to propper bikers.

Single Speeders. lol.

Dismiss the last troll attempt because my next pic will blow everything out of the water.

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Have I redeemed myself with that little piece of candy pop?