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I don't really know much about wheel components and rims, but recently figured I should get round to learning to service cup & cone hubs and perhaps even build my own wheels.
I took apart some old WTB hubs that are built up into wheels to do a practice run on - they are wheels are off my old bike and not being used as one of the rims has a fairly long crack around the valve hole.
Given that the hubs have never been serviced and were off my 2001 FSR, I was expecting a real mess, but the bearings, cups and cones cleaned up really well so it seems a shame not to use them.
I thought I might replace the freewheel, as it's a bit grumbly - dunno if a spare will be available or how easy it'll be to change, and then teach myself how to re-build the hubs with new rims & spokes using that Roger Musson book.
But, apart from a few options on CRC I haven't really seen much in the way of rims that look suitable. I don't wanna spend loads as these will probably remain 'spare wheels' and I'm mainly doing it to learn.
Ideally I'd like tubeless or at least tubeless compatible rims, but this isn't a massive requirement. They're disc hubs so I'd be after disc only rims.
These are what I've found on CRC.....
[url= http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/wtb-st-i23-mtb-rim-2014/rp-prod107291 ]WTB ST i23 rims[/url]
[url= http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/wtb-laser-disc-i-21-rim-2014/rp-prod89364 ]WTB Laserdisc i-21 rims[/url]
[url= http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/wtb-frequency-i-19-rim-2013/rp-prod83910 ]WTB Frequency i-19 rims[/url]
[url= http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/mavic-xm419-disc-mtb-rim-2015/rp-prod127032 ]Mavic XM419 rims[/url]
I'm guessing the numbers 19, 23 etc are the internal width. I don't use massively wide tyres - perhaps 2.2-2.3 max.
I'd rather stay at the £20 end of the budget/rim or less, rather than the Mavics at almost £30/rim.
Worth doing? Suggestions for rim choice? Anything else? Ta....
With Mavic and WTB the number in the model ID usually refers to the internal rim width as you thought....so the XM419 is 19mm wide, the i23 is 23mm etc etc....there is some confusion as other manufacturers sometimes quote the external width in the component ID so always go online and check before buying, the manufacturer website is usually a good source.
Mavic rims tend to be strong even at narrow widths, i ran a set of EN521 rims for years on hardtails with no problems, only drawback is Mavic dont seem to be keeping up with the trend for wider rims, their EX729 (29mm internal width) looks great but is quite expensive and really heavy, its very much freeride and downhill orientated.
Narrow rims tend to 'pinch' the tyre in an give too much of a rounded profile when sometimes you want a more supportive squarer profile, some people report wider tyres on narrow rims as feeling like the tyre is squirming around underneath them, i like to ride 2.2 -2.5 tyres so tend not to go any narrower than 23mm now.
If you arent going any wider than 2.3 (as per your post) then any of those rims will be fine, if you think you may want wider tyres on at any point in the future then go for the WTB 23mm ones.
Superstar are doing loads of cheapish 26 rims now, their own brand is available in 21, 23 and 25mm widths and they sometimes have deals on other branded rims so worth a look in my opinion.
+1 for Superstar Components
worth going for these.
http://www.merlincycles.com/stans-no-tubes-ztr-rims-pair-55634.html
Seem to be a real bargin and then you will have some pimpy wheels.
blastit - those do look like a good deal, but only available in white, which might be a fashion faux-pas too far!
Forgot about Superstar....the XC430s are available for only £15 but only in bright colours (although the gold would match my Barry White Inbred! 😆
Tempted by their tubeless ready options, but at the top of what I wanted to spend, really.
If you're going to build the wheels yourself I highly recommend Roger Musson's book from wheelpro - I built a new wheel for my Cotic a couple of weeks ago and it made the whole process pretty straightforward - building the truing jig was quite fun as well
Everyone seems to be saying good things about the WTBs, and they're tubeless ready too, and weights are very competitive with Stan's rims twice the price
I've had a close eye on the WTB i25's for a while now.
Wider rims give a bigger tyre contact patch for same tyre width. This means more grip and more drag, but also will affect tyre edge choice to an extent. I found the edge blocks on the type of tyres I like (dampfs etc) were almost rendered pointless on 19mm rims.
The Flows Merlin are knocking out are the old pre-EX models but great at the price. I just got a pair of th. 29's built on 525 deore for my CX bike...
The Frequency i23's and 25's seem better than the ST's although a little more money. The Laserdiscs are an older model and probably not as strong from reputation.
tanakasan1734 - MemberIf you're going to build the wheels yourself I highly recommend Roger Musson's book from wheelpro
Yeah - reckon I'll get it bought this weekend! Been umming and aaaahing for a while now over whether to bother, but might as well.
honourablegeorge - MemberEveryone seems to be saying good things about the WTBs, and they're tubeless ready too, and weights are very competitive with Stan's rims twice the price
I think I am erring towards WTB of some description.
vincienup - MemberThe Frequency i23's and 25's seem better than the ST's although a little more money. The Laserdiscs are an older model and probably not as strong from reputation.
Hmmmm. The newer Frequency's are at the upper end of what I'd want to buy, but I did wonder if the 19mm width of the ones I link to above (2013 versions) would be a bit narrow. Although the weight seems very good, compared to the ST i23s that I linked to.
I'm not particularly heavy (about 74kg) and don't really hammer stuff hard, so any of these rims will probably be fine! Just me being indecisive!!
Although - just looked at spokes and £11 for a pack of 18 DT Swiss spokes means that presumably I'll need 4 packs of spokes? So that's £44, plus ~£40 for the rims, plus rim tape and £10 on the wheel building book. Starting to get towards an expensive way of building some wheels just to learn and have hanging on the walls as spares......
Have you looked on Rose bikes for spokes?
granny_ring - Member
Have you looked on Rose bikes for spokes?
Oooh, no I haven't. I'll see what they've got. Cheers.
Any other spoke experts? Is £10.99 about the going rate for 18 spokes?
I wonder if my lbs would sell me a load if I explain what I am after...?
Cyclebasket for ACIs without going overseas. Site is a bit arsey to get around, but prices are good.
And definitely +1 for Musson... And probably a cheap digital vernier caliper (about a fiver) off ebay if you don't already own such an instrument. Makes measuring hubs soooooo much easier. 🙂
Don't buy any spokes until you've measured your hubs and rims. Never trust other people's numbers for this and you'll be much happier.
Your LBS is unlikely to cut you a deal on spokes unless you let them build too I'd say. This needn't be ruinously expensive but is likely to add at least fifty quid to your build.
Any other spoke experts? Is £10.99 about the going rate for 18 spokes?
I wonder if my lbs would sell me a load if I explain what I am after...?
I pay about 8 quid for 32 double butted spokes, ebay user: nidderdalecyclesandhire
Cheers for the further replies.
Got myself the Wheelpro book and ploughing through that.
The wheel stand looks like a good little project in itself.
I've got a digital vernier - comes in very useful.
I'll check out those spoke supplier recommendations. Thanks.
try sdeals.com for spokes too, I've used them a couple of times - they're good folks.