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I'm planning to replace the stock wheel set on my anthem X4 for something lighter and faster flowing. First time I've considered upgrading wheels and I'm finding the number of different combinations daunting.
I'm 110kg+, riding mainly natural trials and the odd trial centre. Budget £300 and would certainly consider second hand.
From what I've read so far, I can't go wrong with Hope pro 2 hubs, but I was wondering what rims you would recommend to go with them, that would offer the best improvement in weight and rolling resistance, without buckling under my fat arse...
Hope pro 2 Evo on stan flow ex or crest. Can't go wrong.
Arch EX on Pro 2, Flow EX if you're hitting them hard.
From what I've read so far, I can't go wrong with Hope pro 2 hubs,
they're good, they're not cheap, they're loud.
crests here nice and light. on hope
Xt nice fast rolling - I may even have some for sale 😉
Slightly left field, but perhaps you might consider Bontrager Rhythm Elite? I have a friend who has a set of these on his Trek EX9 and he is of similar build to you I would guess. He has used them in the Alps on the Passeporte and around here in the Malverns for a while now, and apart from replacing the Freehub bearings (probably due to a jetwash or two TBH) they have stayed straight and true. They have DT swiss hubs and quite wide rims but are still reasonably light. They often go for less than your budget second hand
Thanks a lot, plenty to get started with here. Cheers.
I went though this last month! Pro 2 evo's on your choice of stans seems to be the winning combination! I can recommend flow ex's, especially if you're a big guy hitting tail centres!
You can get Stans Flow Pro2 set for £285 new...but can't remember where!
ProII Evo's on 719's for a leftfield options. Missus has a set and they lok nice, mine are getting built up this week.
You can get Stans Flow Pro2 set for £285 new...but can't remember where!
I got mine from winstanley cycles for less that £300 last month... but they're more expensive from here now.
OP- did you get on with your current wheels? Some people are recommending very heavy duty wheels, I use Pro 2 on Flows for downhill racing. True, you weigh not far off twice as much as me but it's overkill- and way out of character for the bike, they'll withstand abuse that'll kill your frame.
If the original wheels have stood up well, then look at something more XC. Pro 2 on Crest is a good option. Might be worth considering something like a Roval Traversee, though they're a little overbudget when new.
Good point, the original wheels have stayed true and I noticed the LBS has a set of Stan's ZTR Crest 3.30 advertised for under £300. Probably worth a closer look. Thanks all.
Stan's give a 95kg weight limit for their pre-built Crest wheels. Not the rims, but the wheels. Maybe something to consider, although I have Crest rims on my Soul and they've been perfect for me at 105kg-ish, with plenty of smallish jumps and drops - but Arch EX might be the ones for you, as the next rung up the toughness ladder.
i would reccomend going up one in the stans range for sure.
Give Dave at cycle-fast.coDOTuk a bell and tell him your requirements. He'll probably suggest pro2 on Arch Ex, and may well come in around your budget.
WTB I23 Frequencys on Hope pro2s here, well happy so far. you can go lighter still with I19's.
Okay... same weight maybe heavier. 18st ish.
I have Flows for big stuff. 160 All mountain / Spicy kinda of stuff. My 29er hardtail has Archs.
Just make sure they are built well with even tension and you cant go far wrong.