Hello looking for a wheelset for nephew , he weighs 200lbs approx possibly more, so needs to be strong but looking for the wheelset to be less than 1,800 grams and a budget of £300, less if possible?
What do people think?
Think you should pick two of what you want to be realistic
Strong & light = expensive
Cheap & light = like cheese
Strong & cheap = heavy
etc...
As Keith Bontrager said (and from the title of your post I guess you know!)
Strong
Light
Cheap
Pick 2
Having said that, £300 aint cheap. In terms of components, you'll get fairly boutique for that. Hope hubs, DT rims (avoid Stans for heavier riders despite the temptation of weight), DT or Sapim DB spokes. Don't be tempted by the bling of factory built. If he is heavy and rough on his components parts can be expensive and difficult to come by. Handuilts will be better suited to him, and easier to repair should things go wrong.
Who builds them is equally, if not more important. Find the best builder you can (I favour Harry Rowland, both for building and advice, although he is mostly into road wheels).
You don't mention which discipline (XC, FR, DH?). Also consider 20mm or 15mm bolt through axel at the front and bolt through at the rear.
Thanks for the input, it is for his 'trail bike' so xc/long days (6 to 8 hours/enduros, more adaptable the better but would think 20mm.
Not making assumptions about your age here, but if he is a young nephew, go for a hub that is convertible between 9mm QR, 15mm and 20mm so he can change if his riding preferences change.
lol he is 21, currently has my hope on mavic en521 whilst i am not riding, so realistically looking at hope hubs and lighter rims?
Any suggestions?
i was skulking over on bike radar last night and i'm sure i saw a pair of hope pro ii on stans ztr rims for only £235(ish) including some nobbly nick (or racing ralphs)... to me, that's a no brainer!
Hope hoops mate the crests on pro II are a good bet.
Or flows for a slightly tougher option. I weigh about 12st and have hope hoops on crests - taken a few rock strikes and they're still straight as an arrow , really pleased with them