[Closed] Going to try a 29er build, what wheels will prove the concept?

Not sure if your just over thinking this. But good weight wheels for 29 are sub 1,800g so aim for something around that mark if your genuinely worried. Tyres are tyres you don't need quite as much nobbles mind due to the bigger contact area giving more grip.

However having just gone from 29er to 650b I can't say I notice any difference so doubt you will between the sizes, 26-29 is obviously a bigger step so more noticeable.

I have just built up my first HT 29er. Bought a FF29 Kinesis frame with Reba 120mm forks. For wheels I bit the bullet and paid £500 for a set of Mavic Crossmax SLRs from bike24.de paired with Ikon rear and Mountina King exo front. There is a lot of rock around here so needed strong, light, reliable. Bike is finished with XO gear train and XT 2x10 crankset and XT brakes. With a bit of carbon on the bars and a few light components it has come in a 24lb with pedals and a reverb. I could save a lb without the reverb but any more would start to cost big money for small gains.

BTW> I am fully converted after only 4 rides. Fan.bloody.tastic. It rolls so easily and is proper fast. Climbs great and with the seat dropped I have done a few descents I was apprehensive about in advance but really needn't of worried about at all.

I had a set of Giant wheels on an Anthem X1 29er and the rear deconstructed itself on one of my first rides. I tried detensioning totally then a rebuild, but the rim was so egged I had to buy a new rim and do a total rebuild. The front wheel has been good though.

I have a set of Kinesis X1 wheels and the front bearings went after two months of winter riding...the rear has plodded on though, without any bearing replacements. Both have stayed true, and seem to hold up well.

Just built a set of DT 520 29er rims onto Hope Hubs, because that was my favoured combo on 26" wheels and they are working well.

The mags talk about flex...I haven't really noticed anything adverse (apart from when the Giant rear wheel fell apart on me-which I think was just poor build quality that I failed to spot) on these three wheel sets compared to 26" wheels I've ridden.

When I built up my 29er I was worried about wheel weight, too. So I got Just Riding Along to build me a pair of American Classic hubs on Stan's Arch EX. 1624g with tape and valves for the pair, £600-odd (just about the only thing I didn't buy at discount price). Bloody great wheels. They've been through some terrible slop and are running sweetly with very little maintenance. But you can spend half as much and get a decent pair of Hope Pro II on something light and gain just 100g. In my experience, a good 26" tyre doesn't necessarily a good 29" tyre. Nobby Nic on the front? Rubbish. Conti Trail King at either end? Woeful. I'm running Nobby Nic on the rear and Geax Goma on the front. Pretty damn good (I'm running tubeless, by the way).

I've ran / run Crests on Hope Pro II's only last 3 29'ers, great wheels.

Tyre wise I'm a big fan of Bonty 29-3's as an excellent all rounder. Although I also have a set of 29-2's for racing next year

I've got sunringle charger experts on mine and run 2.35 rampage most of the time ,i'll be swapping to mud-x very soon tho .
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^ totally OT, but great pic cheesybeanz.

I've just ordered some american classic MTB Race 29's at 1470g. They are FRO only though, I'm using my stock Giant wheels for social occasions.

The real world alternative the "non race" version which still comes in at 1600g. A bit over budget though.