Afan the Destroyer
 

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[Closed] Afan the Destroyer

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Well my week at Afan was bloody brilliant (popped over to Brechfa for a couple of days too) and thank you all to those who provided info/recommendations.

But all that has finally seen for my freehub which, despite mine (and others) best efforts is decidedly dead. So...

Given a limited budget (really not more than about £200) and mostly XC/trail riding (no big drops/jumps) would you:

(A) recommend me a new rear hub to lace up to my existing rim (Rigida, nothing special but takes a kicking and still true and ding-free);

(B) recommend me a new wheelset (unlikely given the budget);

(C) ignore these options and recommend something else completely/talk about what you have on your bike(s)? (this is STW, after all).

Thanks!


 
Posted : 03/03/2012 10:15 pm
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hope pro 2 evo


 
Posted : 03/03/2012 10:16 pm
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After considering rebuilding my hubs onto new rims I realised it would be far more cost effective to buy a new set of wheels. £200 will get you some Superstar Evos on Mavic 717s
http://superstar.tibolts.co.uk/product_info.php?cPath=40&products_id=501

I spent the extra £20 for some Flows and they have been great so far...


 
Posted : 03/03/2012 10:18 pm
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I'll take (C).
I ride Afan lots and love it but I took this pic today in the Quantocks.

[img] http://www.rotorburn.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=227904&d=1330813214 [/img]


 
Posted : 03/03/2012 10:22 pm
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Err...replace the freehub body? Assuming you have not knackered the hub or axle. Surely worth a go if you are on a budget.


 
Posted : 03/03/2012 10:30 pm
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Hmmm - those superstar wheelsets look mighty tempting, maybe Crests (not sure the riding I do needs Flows, but I'm open to persuastion - is there that much of a weight penalty?)

Only thing is, what are the Switch Evo hubs like? If the freehub dies in 12/18mths can I replace it? Anyone got any experience of them?

Hope Pro 2 Evo pricey but I like the user-serviceable aspect.

Quantocks look lovely today hugor!


 
Posted : 03/03/2012 10:31 pm
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Why not just get a new rear wheel (Hope Pro2 Evo on stans) then get a new front to match when you can afford it?


 
Posted : 03/03/2012 10:31 pm
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garage-dweller I've tried removing the freehub body (as have others, including my LBS) and we've all failed. I think the axle & hub itself is OK as there's no problem or roughness rotating it (all on cartridge bearings) but the freehub is definitely dead as it intermittently seizes.

If I could get the damn thing off I'd be a happy (and richer) stimpy...


 
Posted : 03/03/2012 10:34 pm
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I got a set of secondhand Hope pro 2s on mavic en521s, for £150. Cracking deal.


 
Posted : 03/03/2012 10:45 pm
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Ah sorry. Couldn't tell from your original post if you'd had a crack at that.

On that basis I would second a new rear wheel. Rims are never as good on a rebuild.


 
Posted : 03/03/2012 10:45 pm
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From that SSC link.

EX721 - Elite downhill world champion

What a load of tosh. I have them on my AM bike and granted they are the only rims I havn't managed to destroy and are DH capable. They are most certainly not Elite downhill world champion standard rims.


 
Posted : 03/03/2012 10:54 pm
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How about the Merlin Stans 355 offfer?

[url= http://www.merlincycles.co.uk/Bike+Shop/Wheels/Mountain+Bike+Wheels/Sale+Wheels/Pair+XT+disc+hubs+15mm+front+-+ZTR+355+Rims_ZTR-WHEEL-SALE.htm ]XT & 355 offer[/url]

15mm front, but I would have thought they could be converted to qr if needed?


 
Posted : 03/03/2012 11:02 pm
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Hope Pro II with Mavic 717's , complete wheelset from the classifieds here, £140. Straight as a die, barely ridden. Freakin Brillinat buy. It's survived anything my ham fisted attempts have thrown at it, and I'm not little!


 
Posted : 03/03/2012 11:56 pm
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How about a [url= http://superstar.tibolts.co.uk/product_info.php?cPath=31&products_id=342 ]new hub for £60?[/url] I've done this on old rims twice and never had any issues.


 
Posted : 04/03/2012 6:50 am
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I Ache you'd be surprised what kit a top DH racer will use for one run only to get an advantage. They don't need their kit to last after all.


 
Posted : 04/03/2012 7:36 am
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My mate is selling some stans ZTR hubs with crest rims they are very nice i think he wants £200 for them


 
Posted : 04/03/2012 8:12 am
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Hmm, rigida rim and unable to get the freehub off - sounds familiar!
Try inserting the Allen key into the non-drive side, to remove the freehub - then try everything in your powers to find anything that looks even remotely like it.

This is why I'm currently rebuilding my wheel onto a new hub - now if I can just work out where I put that spoke down...


 
Posted : 04/03/2012 9:15 am
 Del
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i'd suggest getting a decent rear wheel, and a superstar one would not fit that bill, IMHO.
ah, the quantocks. the romance of the nuclear power station...
😈


 
Posted : 04/03/2012 9:53 am
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Belugabob - I did wonder whether I might struggle to find a replacement freehub (even if I could get the bloody thing off) given that no-one seems able to tell me where I might find one 🙁

Shame because the rims (although not the best/lightest) have served well and have no dings. Doesn't seem worth paying to have the rim re-built onto a new hub, given that a new wheel won't cost much more.


 
Posted : 04/03/2012 11:31 pm
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After considering rebuilding my hubs onto new rims I realised it would be far more cost effective to buy a new set of wheels. £200 will get you some Superstar Evos on Mavic 717s
http://superstar.tibolts.co.uk/product_info.php?cPath=40&products_id=501

I spent the extra £20 for some Flows and they have been great so far...

+1


 
Posted : 05/03/2012 8:51 am
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and a superstar one would not fit that bill, IMHO
I have the AM rims and evo hubs. I hammer mine hard, Roots, rocks, jumps, drops. Till now there fine, might even get a set for my ht.


 
Posted : 05/03/2012 8:58 am
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Good news on the replacement freehub (especially for belugabob) - I have finally tracked down a freehub which fits!

The Rigida rim I had came with a JoyTech hub - impossible to find a replacement from JoyTech but the Pro-Lite Avise (and presumably the Arvier too) fits perfectly! £15 from CRC is well within budget too!!

Now all I need is to remember where I put that bloody allen key.


 
Posted : 24/03/2012 12:40 pm