Just wondering what peoples thoughts on this are...
I have an "older" 26" bike that I want to make a bit more burly.
It's got Hope Pro2's with XC717's on it. I though I'd swap them out for something wider, sell those wheels and break even in the end.
But is it worth it? Is it worth selling my Hope's for cheaper Mavic Crossrides? They're 5mm wider which should be a decent difference in terms of stiffness and tyre contact patch...
Wondering what peoples thoughts on this are?
And no... rebuilding the hubs onto new rims is out of the question - with spokes, rims, and cost to build i'm well over £130 quid - with nothing to sell to break even!
I'd be amazed if you could tell the difference in a blind test.
Edit: other than the noise of the hub.
Can't comment on current generation of crossrides but I had a wheel set a few years back.
They were great to be honest and even looked costlier than they had a right to.
From memory the main concerns people had were the availability of spares etc. Or rather non availability!
Just getting a spoke could be an issue, freehub etc. ZERO chance of getting a new rim if ever needed.
Whether that situation has improved I really don't know.... But you can get some great second-hand Hope hoops or Hope hubs with a nice wide run second-hand these days. I know as that's what I've done. Obviously spare part availability is then a moot point.
I've heard the same about Mavic spares, you can't just pop into a shop for a new spoke it has to be done by a certified Mavic mechanic or sent back to France...for a spoke!
Advice on the wheel choice, you don't want skinny lightweight wheels if your planning on abusing them but don't forget rotational weight has more impact so getting heavier wheels can be a shock when a previously small hill on a regular ride starts to resemble K2.
I put new rims on mine. Cost £10 per rim for new wide rims on clearance(obsolete size innit), used the same spokes and used the rim swap method so it was quick and easy. I reckon you might get £10 for a used 717 if they are ok so still break even and have nice wheels. I prefer the handling with wider rims but changed a few other things at the same time so can't say for sure how much difference it made.
Nickjb.... I take it you mean new rims on Hope hubs?
Yes. New rims on existing wheels.
I picked up these for around £130 delivered and they have been faultless so far , easy tubeless set up too
[url= http://http://pages.ebay.com/link/?nav=item.view&alt=web&id=231698193301&globalID=EBAY-GB ]dt swiss 533[/url]
Any info on the 'rim swap method' ? Looks useful
Cheers
They're 5mm wider which should be a decent difference in terms of stiffness and tyre contact patch...
Would need to know this was actually noticeable before bothering swap.
Why would they be stiffer?
How much difference would it make to contact patch, what width tyres are you running?
I'd be amazed if you could tell the difference in a blind test.Edit: other than the noise of the hub.
ha - innit.
parts ive heard has improved slightly - you can get spokes that fit from shops! bearings etc.. maybe not, but i'm not too worried.
cheers all, I think im confident with the swap here. Just less bling bling i guess
use masking tape to stick the new rim to the old rim. Move the spokes over one at a time. Line up the valve hole to get the crossing gap right. Much easier than building from a pile of bits.Any info on the 'rim swap method' ? Looks useful
Would need to know this was actually noticeable before bothering swap.Why would they be stiffer?
How much difference would it make to contact patch, what width tyres are you running?
well sure, how much is snake oil or whatever - but theres a number of articles on wider rims and a few say even 10% wider can make a difference - at 5mm wider that's 30% difference.
They'd be stiffer from wider construction, again - i'm not an engineer just going off research.
Tyres I have are 2.25 if I remember. They work...just...in XC717's!
use masking tape to stick the new rim to the old rim. Move the spokes over one at a time. Line up the valve hole to get the crossing gap right. Much easier than building from a pile of bits.
ha - that sounds so simple. i could guarantee I'd **** that right up. 😆
well sure, how much is snake oil or whatever - but theres a number of articles on wider rims and a few say even 10% wider can make a difference - at 5mm wider that's 30% difference.
What about different rim structure, different rim materials, different number of spokes?
I am probably in the wrong camp to be worried though as I have never found my wheels to not be stiff enough...