ok, so i'm slowly upgrading what started as a hack bike up to be a fairly nice hardtail. the next upgrade is either better brakes or a new wheelset.
My biking buddy has just upgraded his wheels to great effect buying from a mate, i'd like to replicate the effect - lighter bike but stronger wheels - but i've absolutely no idea what i should be looking for!
Any brands particularly good, any type of rim or hub or spokes i should be looking for?
Edit: i've got bontrager rhythms at the moment?
Had lots of positive experience with:
Hopes on stans
Dt Swiss hubs and rims
Easton factory builds.
Decide what type of Wheelset you're after, xc, am etc....
I don't think you can go far wrong with hope hoops on stans which are tubeless ready. New are around 350. Second hand from 150 to 250 depending on condition.
Make sure they're round.
hope hubs are good, replaceable cartridge bearings and adaptors to fit QR, 20 and 15mm axles means you've got a better range of fork options. Shimano hubs have cup n' cone bearings which are ok until they get old and then you're into taking them into your LBS to get them serviced whereas with Hope you can just bung some new ones in yourself. At least that's how i think it happens - mine are still running smooth. A lot of rims i suspect are overkill strength wise but if you run wide tyres you want to avoid some of the narrower xc rims, although a good solid build goes a long way. I'm running DT swiss EX 5.1 rims which are a good heavy duty rim but still light. Your rolling weight makes a big difference to how easy your bike pedals so unless you're doing proper downhill riding you want to keep it light and run 'sensible' tyres because there's no point splurging on some lightweight super strong rims and then running heavy tyres. folding tyres are generally lighter.
Try some Hope hoops on DT 5.1 rims it's a popular combination for good reason. Or Mavic 819 rims on Hope hubs was the other combo i thought of. I don't run tubeless tyres but if you want to go that route then it's worth looking into if your rims will be compatible or not. Basically Hope hubs are great and a mid size/weight rim combo should last you for years if you're not Josh Bender.
spokes - DT swiss competition double butted are good. double butted meaning they narrow in the middle and thicken at the ends to keep the strength and save weight.
Other brands are available.
edit: can you convert the hope hubs to run a maxle or do they have to be bought as that spec?
Easily converted between QR,15mm and 20mm
Urgh. Your current wheel set is light. Bit flexy but light! Sure... spend big money on Stans Crest if you have to however you are saving grams, if that. Remember you are upgrading a hack, spending £300 on wheels will not make you any faster.
Bomberman having stripped both Hope and shimano hubs I have to say that although I love my hope hubs I actually find the Shimanos cup and cone easier to rebuild BUT if you don't keep on top of servicing you risk knackering the whole hub. Not so with cartridge bearing hubs also hope freehubs are more robust ime. I have consigned several big s ones to the bin.
damn your edit, i was almost finished with my witty and sarcastic reply 😈
i have some hope hoops with stans rims and couldnt be happier with them. paid £160 posted off someone on here and they were in near perfect condition. light, stiff, and cheap. you should only be able to pick two.
i love the hope hubs for their endless adaptability (they will run everything)and the clicky freewheel means you dont need a bell any more. not tried the whole tubeless thing but they are good to go when the weather settles and im not changing tyres aeveryday
the right wheels will make you faster.
I had a set of cheap alex rims that i changed with some mavics a while ago and just rolling was alot quicker due to better bearings.
Ive got a set of hope on stans and are awesome! Plus red makes you faster!
Keep upgrading, brakes next then get a new frame.
I had a set of cheap alex rims that i changed with some mavics a while ago and just rolling was alot quicker due to better bearings.
does not compute!
changing cheap alex rims to mavic has nowt to do with the hub bearings, or did you mean you changed the entire wheel?
And even then, unless your bearings were seized solid that wasn't the reason you got quicker.
BUT if you don't keep on top of servicing you risk knackering the whole hub. Not so with cartridge bearing hubs also hope freehubs are more robust ime. I have consigned several big s ones to the bin.
Not true, you can replace the cups. So an XT hub is say £30, and once it gets knackered buy another and you have a full service kit for £30 and a free pen holder.
I've got Shimano and Hope hubs. The shimano are faultlness, cheap to run, a bit heavy and you can't swap the axle. The hope ones also work well, can be serviced, are lighter but cost a lot more to buy and service.
Hope FTW!
Made in England. Versatile. Funky.
I have to say though, that a clicky free hub is not always substitute for a bell. Twice i've been told to get a bell, both times by OAP's. I will never put a bell on my mountain bike. Ever.
