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[Closed] light bicycle carbon rims

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Much as I'd like to build my own wheels I really don't have time, probably not the patience either to be fair. I also draw the line at buying the rims from China and spokes from Germany and then asking my LBS to build them at minimal profit. God knows I spend enough with online sellers, nice to support the LBS now and then (although after they rebuilt them with Supercomps as I originally asked for I doubt they made much out of it, hey ho).
I'm happy with Hopes, had a set of E13s which were a pain in the arse, good to go back to simple reliable hubs with top drawer UK customer support. My main issue with the old Pro 2s was pickup lag, the new 40T has improved it enough to make it a non-issue for me. So yeah, happy with the price I paid for what I got, happy with the weight too.


 
Posted : 18/06/2014 4:36 pm
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My LBS is doing mine- I provided rims and my used hubs, he's getting the spokes, seems fair to me and he's happy too. Oh and he's getting a go on them too to testride them as a perk.


 
Posted : 18/06/2014 4:42 pm
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<in the style of a Ferrero Rocher advert>
with your testride Mr Northwind you are spoiling them
<end>


 
Posted : 18/06/2014 4:49 pm
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My LBS is doing mine- I provided rims and my used hubs, he's getting the spokes, seems fair to me and he's happy too. Oh and he's getting a go on them too to testride them as a perk.

Isn't he insanely fast?


 
Posted : 18/06/2014 4:56 pm
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Yup but I'm sure he'll look after them (after all, his reason for wanting to try these is that it's too expensive replacing broken Enves. Hang on...)


 
Posted : 18/06/2014 4:57 pm
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well if they can survive him then they'll be more than adequate for my flumping down the hill.


 
Posted : 18/06/2014 5:10 pm
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But ENVE have a limited lifetime crash replacement warranty so not expensive to replace.


 
Posted : 18/06/2014 9:43 pm
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Isn't it in the region of £450 per rim though? I's say that's still pretty bloody expensive. Makes my overpriced complete wheelset seem positively bargainous at £600!


 
Posted : 18/06/2014 9:46 pm
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Rick Draper - Member

But ENVE have a limited lifetime crash replacement warranty so not expensive to replace.

50% of RRP for the crash replacement, still expensive in my book!


 
Posted : 18/06/2014 9:49 pm
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No idea as I have not had to use it.


 
Posted : 18/06/2014 9:50 pm
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Erm, makes your "not expensive to replace" statement somewhat uninformed doesn't it?


 
Posted : 18/06/2014 10:24 pm
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The Light Bicycle warranty is pretty good. They replaced a friends rim for the cost of postage, which I think was somewhere in the region of £60 all in (there was also VAT and import duty of course). It was an older 26” 28mm rim that split, and it was replaced with a 33mm version.

I also emailed LB asking if my new 29er hookless rims bought unused from a mate would still be warrantied should I have an issue (I have a copy of the sales invoice), and they said yes, which is nice 🙂


 
Posted : 19/06/2014 9:46 am
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Just built up my front wheel, which was very satisfying and amazingly it is round and all good!

Noticed the rims aren't totally perfect as I was building, the bead walls have obviously been sanded so there is some variation in them as the wheel rotates, and there is a bit of a dip at the seam in the carbon on the bead seat, doesn't bother me but someone expecting perfect rims might be disappoint. I used the inside of the rim to check radial trueness given the variation in the bead seat surface.


 
Posted : 22/06/2014 9:57 pm
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Am v tempted by a set of rims to combine it with a home-build challenge but...

What is 'hookless'. To my mind I'm thinking like a tubular road rim, but I know that's not right.

Also widths... wider is better, or not always?

I'd be using them for XC racing, and I'm 75 kg (11.5 stone)


 
Posted : 22/06/2014 10:13 pm
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So the kitchen scales of infinite wisdom and accuracy give me

760g front
895g rear

26" 33mm on hope pro 2 evos and DT comps, brass nips.

I used 251mm spokes all round but with hindsight would use 252/3 for the front right side if i did it again.

Just wondering if a weekend in torridon is really the best test bed for my first built wheels, first cheap carbon, and first bead-hook less experience, or if that is too much random factor in one go in the mountains.


 
Posted : 24/06/2014 11:02 pm
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What is 'hookless'. To my mind I'm thinking like a tubular road rim, but I know that's not right.
Also widths... wider is better, or not always?
I'd be using them for XC racing, and I'm 75 kg (11.5 stone)

Hookless don't have a 'bead hook' - a lip on the top of the rim to help keep tyres on, no longer needed as QC of rims and tyres is better.

Wider will give a better tyre footprint on wider tyres, but can be an issue with narrower tyres, plus they weigh more.

For XC racing I'd go for the narrower 29er hookless rims. They're still wide, but a chunk lighter. I've built mine into American Classic hubs at 1370g.


 
Posted : 24/06/2014 11:18 pm
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Just built up some 35mm hookless 29er LB rims. I'm really impressed at how good LB were to deal with and how solid and well finished the rims are. They were also the easiest wheels I've ever built (even with revs)as they are so stiff they're actually quite hard to get out of true! The hookless design seemed to work fine with 1 wrap of wide Stans tape - they went up very easily with a trackpump.

I'm using them for XC (they're actually only 50g per wheel heavier than the Crests they replaced) Only had two rides so far but they're certainly very nice to ride. Incredibly solid feeling for the weight. I'm not sure yet if I actually miss a bit of the flex of my old Crests but the solidity they add when riding over rocks / roots is really nice I must say. For XC I probably would go with the narrower rims, as suggested above. but the 35's aren't too much heavier if you fancy something wider / beefier. I don't think you can go wrong with LB though, will have to see in the long term but so far I'd say they're pretty sweet rims for what they cost.


 
Posted : 06/07/2014 8:59 pm
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Just built up a pair of 35mm 29ers too. About 1650g the pair which is a pretty good

Not got tyres on them yet so can't comment on the ride


 
Posted : 06/07/2014 10:31 pm
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I see LB have some crazy light 29er XC rims up there. (320g +/- 15g) 27mm. Has anyone tried those?

http://www.light-bicycle.com/tubular-mtb-rim-carbon-mountain-29er-XC-super-lightweight-27mm-wide.html#.U7pRKD9MRXM


 
Posted : 07/07/2014 8:51 am
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"Tubular" though, does that not mean you need special tyres and glue to hold them on?


 
Posted : 07/07/2014 10:05 am
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That's exactly what it means. Interesting though, tempted to try a set of tubs!


 
Posted : 07/07/2014 10:06 am
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Related but not exactly to Rims, I've been looking at the LB Carbon Bar/Stem that they do I was just wondering if anyone else has ordered one, what the sizing of it is like, and how you found it comfort wise?

I generally prefer a Compact, ~120mm drop, round profile bar, but still relatively wide at 440mm, do they do one like that at all?


 
Posted : 07/07/2014 3:31 pm
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OK so I managed to get a tyre on and inflate it, but it has made the spoke tension decrease noticeably. I've seen this on stan's rims, but the question is should I be aiming for them to be a good tension when the tyre is on?

I don't have a tensionometer so just plucking compared to my other wheels. Anyone with 251mm DT comps happened to have made a video or recording of the tension theirs are at?!


 
Posted : 08/07/2014 8:37 pm
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thought I would put up my build got to ride them for the first time last week and I eco everything that's already been said there just so stiff and direct but feel so light when riding.

35mm hookless 650b
hope hubs
cx ray spokes
sapim alloy nipples

[URL= http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v192/twitchell/new%20build/20140702_181027_zps7m5fc2g5.jp g" target="_blank">http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v192/twitchell/new%20build/20140702_181027_zps7m5fc2g5.jp g"/> [/IMG][/URL]

[URL= http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v192/twitchell/new%20build/20140702_181038_zpsrhpfahro.jp g" target="_blank">http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v192/twitchell/new%20build/20140702_181038_zpsrhpfahro.jp g"/> [/IMG][/URL]

was unsure on hub colour but im well chuffed with it now its on the bike (althou im sure it wont be to everyones taste lol.

[URL= http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v192/twitchell/new%20build/20140703_161842_zps2hrwgifs.jp g" target="_blank">http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v192/twitchell/new%20build/20140703_161842_zps2hrwgifs.jp g"/> [/IMG][/URL]

[URL= http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v192/twitchell/new%20build/20140703_161907_zpsu6iknycq.jp g" target="_blank">http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v192/twitchell/new%20build/20140703_161907_zpsu6iknycq.jp g"/> [/IMG][/URL]


 
Posted : 08/07/2014 8:54 pm
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I think those hubs look great with the frame. Don't put any more purple on though, would be too much imo


 
Posted : 08/07/2014 9:06 pm
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Don't put any more purple on though
.
Yeah, don't "Go commando" on this one...


 
Posted : 08/07/2014 9:55 pm
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Ah. Just noticed the purple nipples. Is disappoint.


 
Posted : 08/07/2014 9:57 pm
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see I love the purple nipples aswell lol

I was going to put some more purple on it but now I have seen it I agree it needs no more.


 
Posted : 08/07/2014 10:01 pm
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Those purple hubs / nips are beautiful! but agree, the balance of acid yellow to purple is a delicate one - it looks great but you're on a Llewelyn-Bowen knife edge there!

btw: I decided my new 29er 35mm hookless are more than I need for my lightweight XC riding, so if anyone wants a hardly used pair, I'll be selling them in a month or so (as soon as the new Light Bicycle 27mm's XC versions I just ordered arrive).


 
Posted : 09/07/2014 8:31 am
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hmm yeah could be interested in them jimification, was going to buy some arch ex 29er rims but despite their size these LB ones are still lighter


 
Posted : 09/07/2014 3:51 pm
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bigjim: Cool. I can give you a shout when they're available if you like - just send me your email (my email is in m' profile). No worries if you change your mind later. They quoted me 10 days for manufacture of the XC's so I'm guessing about a month by the time they clear customs.

On the tubs side I am quite intrigued. 320g is insanely light and it seems like a flat rim bed ought to have a lot of advantages. Schwalbe list some 2.2 tub 29ers here: http://www.schwalbetires.com/bike_tires/off-road_tires/racing_ralph_425

I keep seeing Nino flatting on them, though (suspect he is a slightly faster over the rocks than me however...)


 
Posted : 09/07/2014 4:27 pm
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320g is insanely light and it seems like a flat rim bed ought to have a lot of advantages.

Mmmm, it's not really. Certainly not heavy, but only 40g lighter than their clincher, [url= http://ax-lightness.de/en/cycling/bike-components/rims/srt-cc-29er/ ]AX Lightness tub rims[/url] are 255g and [url= http://www.innolite.se/?portfolio=rim-29-tubular ]Innolite[/url] ones are 285g. Clearly both vastly more expensive, but their clinchers are competitive with the expensive brands.

Schwalbe list some 2.2 tub 29ers here: http://www.schwalbetires.com/bike_tires/off-road_tires/racing_ralph_425

Ralphs are fairly readily available, not cheap, but not insane.

I did wonder about using some of their 20mm road tub rims for MTB use, but they're 320g too, FarSports do some based on 250g rims, but not available separately.

Edit: here you go [url= http://www.carbonality.com/rt20w-20mm-tubular.html ]Carbonality 250g 23mm wide tub rims[/url]. No idea how long they'd last, or if you'd even get a decent width MTB tub on there!


 
Posted : 09/07/2014 4:59 pm
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first ride today, really good, happy with my build, no pinging spokes. rims are light and stiff, tyres are massive on them and I would struggle getting a big tyre in my rear triangle on these rims. Spoke tension decreased a lot when I put the tyres on but returns when I take them off so I might tighten them up a bit more to compensate.

[url= https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3848/14450438438_4dfbb2eec0_o.jp g" target="_blank">https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3848/14450438438_4dfbb2eec0_o.jp g"/> [/img][/url]


 
Posted : 12/07/2014 7:43 pm
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Just ordered 29" 35mm (AM) 32h. I want to use a pair of old pro2's on them.

Absolutely no idea how to build wheels so im going to give them to some one and say 'make wheels', but just wondering what size spokes and nipples would be recommended? I understand the website dimensions are not exact scanning through the threads.


 
Posted : 14/07/2014 9:47 am
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Finally! Picked mine up today. Silver spokes which was not the plan, apparently correct size spokes for DT240s with these things are hard to come by... But they look good.

What doesn't look good is the 5mm or so of valve that's all that sticks out with my normal tubes and tubeless valves. Just wondered what valves people are using for tubeless?


 
Posted : 19/07/2014 11:33 pm
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Just wondered what valves people are using for tubeless?

Yeah just using normal stan's valves and they take a lot of messing around to get a pump on them. Bought some valve extenders but they don't work with these valves it seems, they leak and tyre goes flat in about 30 mins. Going to buy some longer valves I think, superstar do some longer ones.


 
Posted : 19/07/2014 11:55 pm
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Yeah, only in red though I think.

Need to do some measuring tomorrow. Got a hub problem to sort so got a little time...


 
Posted : 19/07/2014 11:59 pm
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there is a longer notubes valve too


 
Posted : 20/07/2014 12:02 am
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Aye, 44mm extra long Stan's.


 
Posted : 20/07/2014 12:15 am
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I wonder if these would be overkill. www.notubes.com/Pair-of-40mm-Threaded-Valve-Extenders-P611.aspx


 
Posted : 20/07/2014 12:17 am
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My 35mm wide 29er rim finally arrived, 395g !! Wow.


 
Posted : 20/07/2014 8:12 am
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I use these valves, 52mm long and perfect!!

[url= http://www.xcracer.com/shop/viewproduct.php?productid=262 ]Effetto Caffe[/url]


 
Posted : 20/07/2014 10:55 am
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How much import duty are you guys getting hit for with these rims?

I'm sure it'll already be in the thread somewhere but i can't be bothered to read through all 15 pages 😆


 
Posted : 20/07/2014 7:04 pm
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I got charged £36 duty and Parcel Force charges on 4 rims.


 
Posted : 20/07/2014 7:07 pm
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I paid £37.26 duty and charges on my complete wheels.


 
Posted : 20/07/2014 7:47 pm
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