[Closed] What 'Enduro' Wheelset?

ive got the WTB st i25s and they have been very reliable
http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/wtb-st-i25-mtb-rim-2014/rp-prod107299

the frequency version is lighter
http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/wtb-frequency-i-25-rim-2014/rp-prod107298

Thanks Kimbers.

Early days yet mind but I think it might have the Flows beat.

I've got Ryde Trace Trails on DT 240s and love them. Lighter than flow ex, wider , something different. They have a wider still version too, I think called trace #enduro

Hmmmm. Spank Ooozys in polished finish would give me an excuse to sent my frame back to Orange and have it re-done in the chrome type powdercoat!!

To be fair, the Spanks look pretty good. Will take a closer look and read some more reviews.

I've been looking at a set of the Mavic wheels but not the Crossmax Enduro. I'm considering the new Crossmax XL which seem to be wider than the Enduros but the same weight:

http://www.pinkbike.com/news/mavic-crossmax-xl-wts-first-look-2014.html

I have the WTB i23 frequencys (two sets infact) and I think they tick all the boxes. Might be abit narrow for some who are after super wide rims but at 23mm internal, never had any problems, they are abit cheaper and lighter than the i25s too, got mine built with hope pro2 evos for £300... Hard to beat that if you ask me.
WTB are bringing out a 25mm wide version of their super light KOM rims. Now that might be something better!

I also like the look of American classic All mountain wheels, and the Syntace W35s, but they are at least £600 a pair. Better at double the price? not sure...

If it was my money I would be going for a superstar tactic wheelset.

The tesla set weighs 1690g in 26 inch format £230

http://www.superstarcomponents.com/en/tactic-tesla-am-wheelset.htm

http://www.bikeradar.com/mtb/gear/category/components/wheel-sets/product/review-superstar-components-tactic-tesla-evo-14-48393/

However they have a new Switch Ultra LITE model with a new front hub that is almost 84g lighter so should be looking at low 1600g for £200

http://www.superstarcomponents.com/en/switch-ultralite-tactic-wheelset.htm

In 2013 this guy raced his 180mm Enduro rig on the even lighter sentinel rims including 2 rounds of super enduro and the final EWS round.

http://mtbtrailtales.wordpress.com/2014/01/11/long-term-reviews-bionicon-alva-180-airsuperstar-sentinel-wheelsetshimano-zee-brakes/

The Superstars attract me but in all honesty, some of the reviews of their wheelsets would scare the life out of me. See my previous comments about constant maintenance / sending them back to be fixed/replaced.

If the rims are good though I could buy some and get them built onto my current hubs... Another option to investigate...

I'm going to be honest their customer service is shite. But my 490 AM wheels have been fantastic.

In my opinion Superstar's customer service is quite good.

After a few years of use the bearings in my wheel hub needed replacing. Superstar where good enough to make how to guide and email it to me.

Also when I badly dinged the rear wheel Superstar rebuilt the wheel with a new rim, spokes and nipples and only charged me for a new rim and no return postage.

I'm not saying they are awesome, just that they are not always bad and can be good.

Also if you are worried about the wheel build just factor £15 into the price of the wheel to get your LBS to double check the spoke tension for you. Still some in at a bargain.

But forget all that and go with the Spank Oozy as I suggested earlier 🙂

Absolutely no chance in hell would I buy a superstar wheelset.
There are far too many horror stories with regards to failure, followed by accusations that it is due to user error and "Fruits" behaviour on here was revolting (slagging off competitors and shilling his own stuffs).

jk1980 - Member
I've been looking at a set of the Mavic wheels but not the Crossmax Enduro. I'm considering the new Crossmax XL which seem to be wider than the Enduros but the same weight:

but still the same disintegrating hubs?

I've got some KOMs coming tomorrow, apparently they are quite enduro but I'll be using on them on an xc bike, which will get ridden in the enduro style. It's all very confusing. Couldn't be bothered waiting/paying for the extra 2mm wider version coming out

I've got a set of Superstar wheels in my commuter- the price was right, the build wasn't, they're supposed to be "bombproof xc wheels" but they've needed constant attention despite never seeing harder use than a canal path.

But I bought them on that basis really and they're still decent value just for the parts, so I don't mind much.

Hopes and Stans Flow, handbuilt with brass nipples, bombproof enough for trail riding (enduro).

"Fruits" behaviour on here was revolting (slagging off competitors and shilling his own stuffs)

Who is Fruit? I'm guessing related to Superstar? I haven't been an active member on here for very long something I missed?

Just got the call that my Hope hubs with Light Bicycle rims are built and ready for collection.

Fruit is the main lemon behind superstar and has a bit of a reputation.

If you want lighter than the Flows but no more expensive then the Arch EX are pretty tough. I know a couple of people who have them who ride pretty fast/hard on techy stuff in Calderdale and the Lakes - no issues so far.

Who is Fruit? I'm guessing related to Superstar?

If you want Mavic Enduro wheels without the price tag and the YELLOW, then get some 821's built onto your hub of choice for a fraction of the price. I have a set built onto Hope PRO II and they are really tough. As far as I can see they are almost identical to the Crossmax Enduro front wheel but with a few more spokes and much less YELLOW.

I have a pair of both Mavic SX's and ST's and they have been good wheels, but they do have problems. When I bought them I managed to get the MP3 warranty for just a £1 per wheel set and it's been very worth while. The warranty gives you two years or 3 complete wheel rebuilds for only the cost of the warranty and postage.

The main problem I have found is the bearing preload adjuster on the rear hubs needs to be watched and the rear axles have a habit of snapping. Both wheel sets are super stiff, the ST's are let down by only being 19mm wide. As stated above the rear rim on the Crossmax Enduro wheel set is just a ST rear with bladed spokes and for that reason I would entertain them.

I have just ordered a set of the new Crossmax XL's, the weight is ok and the rim is 23mm so should be better than the SX's and lighter. I don't think it matters what wheelset you pick they all have issues, just go for what you like the look of.

I did consider carbon but couldn't justify the price, I might try the Light Bycycle one the future but after seeing a few sets of ENVE's bust I'm not going the shell out mega bucks.

robbonzo - Member

I also like the look of American classic All mountain wheels, and the Syntace W35s, but they are at least £600 a pair. Better at double the price? not sure...

DT's excellent but pricey Spline1 EX1501.. wide and strong!

This... I've had a pair for 12 months, and they've been fantastic. Light, stiff & nicely sized. I've abused them, chucked them down stuff, landed them terribly, piled them into things and they're still true.

The only reason they're not on my other bikes is the price tag..... 😥

duir - Member

If you want Mavic Enduro wheels without the price tag and the YELLOW,

That's crazy talk, they're the 2 main selling points.

So what's stronger, spank oozy or flow ex? (flow ex being heavier...)

Also what are the hubs that come on spanks like? sealed cartridge bearings? easy to get replacements?

Oozy are XC narrow though. 21.5mm. Look good otherwise.

That's crazy talk, they're the 2 main selling points.

Like it!

Personally I love the yellow but wouldn't pay several £100 more for what is essentially the same wheel.

But yellow is proven to make you faster.

How much faster you'll be when your wheels are away getting serviced/fixed though.........

Hope flow 2 and flow ex are still a great combo. Reliable, ok weight, nice and wide and bomb proof tubeless.

I had flows on my previous 26" bike, picked up a 650b which had nice wide sun ringle rims but kept burping them tubeless. They had to go and because hope were pushing the enduro wheels, it seems they didn't build any flow ex wheel sets. After 6 weeks of waiting I picked up some hope enduro wheels as a compromise. And a compromise they were. 2.35 width hans and rock razer felt awful on the 23mm rim, low pressures and adverse cambers meant it felt like the rear tyre was constantly going to roll off the rim.

I put up with them for a few weeks before swapping them for flow ex and I've not looked back. Honestly cannot see the market for the enduro rims. Heavier than flows, narrower and don't set up tubeless anywhere near as easily. Bead popped to rim at a worrying hide them around the corner 50psi whereas the flows pop in place at 20 psi. Love hope products but a made out of house poor spec rim isn't fitting with the in house made quality they are known for

I've ridden a couple of stages with a completely flat tyre and theyre still true and no dings. Granted I wasnt going full pace but I'm impressed.

Using hope and Flows.

Superstar Switch EVO's and EN321's. Been faultless for me. I did have XT hubs before the EVO's which did need regular maintenance. The 321's are bombproof, few slight flat spots and kinks on the rear, but otherwise they'll just keep going and going.

i`ve been using 321is for years but would appreciate something wider. i think those wtb i25 rims look mint.

Also what are the hubs that come on spanks like? sealed cartridge bearings? easy to get replacements?

I've had my Oozy wheel set for 10 months. So far the whole wheel set has been great. Still running straight and spoke tension seems good and the hubs are running nice and smooth. The hubs have sealed cartridge bearings. I spoke to Hotlines before I got them who claimed they have good stock of all parts, spokes, bearings etc.. I don't know what size bearings they are so don't know if they are a common size that I can get from any bearing shop.

The 321's are bombproof, few slight flat spots and kinks on the rear, but otherwise they'll just keep going and going.

Very similar, i had the EN521 and they took everything i could throw at them, ended up selling them with the bike they were on and have regretted that since.

Just picked up my Light Bicycle carbon rims which have been laced to my existing Hope Pro2 hubs. Got to say im impressed with the build quality and service from 18 Bikes. Not got round to fitting them but have just weighed them at 1620 grams for the pair

Hi all.
Updating this as new wheels are definitely needed now.

Still torn between Flows or something on my existing hubs or Crossmax despite the cost and the maintenance thing.

Tracey - any update on how the LB rims are going? If you don't mind me asking, what kind of rough price were they to buy and get built?

Cheers
Dave

Dave,
If you're considering anything spendier than Flow EX, take a look at Syntace W35 wheelset that I recommended earlier. 35mm wide, light, strong, CXRay spokes, tubeless with tape and valve.

take a look at Syntace W35 wheelset

Rims are doing great, they feel a bit stiffer than my Roval Traverse ELs but are also a bit heavier. They were built onto my existing Hope hubs and the rims were new but bought second hand from on here. I also needed new hope adapters to fit my new forks and frame. Overall about £350 but not including the hubs.
They do make the tyres look bigger than on normal rims and if I was having them built again would have used my black Hope hubs instead of the red ones.
Had them built for my Stumpjumper but they are now on the Enduro

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take a look at Syntace W35 wheelset

£900 odd?
They do look really good, but are hugely overpriced.

about 750 Euros on German sites = approx £600. But yes, still seriously expensive.

Cheers all. I think I'll be off for the sensible option of Flows on my existing hubs. Not yellow though 🙁

Can definitely recommend the WTB i23 rims. I put them on earlier this year and they've been great so far. Not really gone out of true, and I smacked the rear off a rock coming down Grizedale Pike which put a hole in a tubeless tyre. Dented the rim slightly, but it still holds air absolutely fine.

Not sure I'd go for the KOM rims - they seem too light to be durable enough

I have 2 sets of Tactic rims now, 650b and 26". The 26" rear I built myself onto my existing Pro2 hub after wrecking my ArchEX. Its on my HT and seems solid enough, especially considering its only my 3rd wheel build and 1st rear. My 650b on tesla hubs have been excellent.
At £40 a rim which is 400gm, they are a bargain. Probably sell more if they were to put the price up and someone else sell em....

I'm looking for the same sort of thing. Had been considering Crossmax XLs, but you lot have put me off. Those DT Swiss EX1501s look interesting. They're selling them on CRC but the advert is a bit unclear - they're advertised as 142x12mm, but am I right in thinking that they can be converted to 135 x 12mm without buying anything additional?