Crest or Arch Ex

Looking at buying a new wheelset for my giant trance x3 and like the look of hope pro 2’s on crest or arch ex but can’t decide.

The crest is a wee bit lighter but at expense of strength. I weigh 65kgs full kitted up. My current riding is a mix of xc riding but with the drops and jumps involved. Would the crests hold up ok?

Or is there any other wheelsets I should be looking at for 350, but could push the funds if something catches my eye.

Have a chat with Just Riding Along they’ll be able to advise what most suited to your riding style, terrain and weight.

Ive run a set of Pro2’s on Crest for 12 months on a full suss no issues at all….11.0 stone

Seems like most folk opt for Crests, almost regardless of what they are riding. I’m just building up a Bikepacking 29er and opted for Arch Ex. I reckoned the little extra weight wouldn’t matter in that application whereas the strength might.

its a shame hope hoops aren’t available with Arch, thats what i would get. If you go for Crest you can get factory built and save a fair bit of cash (20% off at CRC at the moment)

I have recently ordered WTB I23’s on Hope pro 2s from CRC. Bought both wheels separately, so got the £40 off on one and then £15 off the other using the discount codes. Jobs a goodun. Have yet to ride them as they’re for Xmas but worth a shout, or the I19s if you want to go lighter.

Thats the other issue, crests are circa 260 and arch ex’s are 340.

The crest is a wee bit lighter but at expense of strength. I weigh 65kgs full kitted up

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I’m 78kg but not a particularly destructive cyclist – not jumpy. When I got the Crests I was a bit concerned at their narrowness and lightness as I ride some quite rough trails. They survived an uplift week in rocky Liguria perfectly by using some 2.35 reinforced sidewall tyres at sensible pressures. So I’m not worried any more.

Arch EX are 395g and crests are 342g. For the sake of 43 grammes, I went for the Arch EX on my Dialled PA. Similar xc, rocks and drops.

I went Arch EX for the same reason as above on my Soul. They’ve been faultless in the 8 months I’ve had them.

I’d imagine they’re much of a muchness, Arch EX just has its double wall bit so it will be stiffer. No less resistant to dings but more resistant to going egg shaped. Having said that I smashed mine on its first ride on a water bar but I reckon any non DH rim would have done the same maybe apart from an xm819.

Thanks for the replies. Decided to go for the crests but they’re no £260 on CRC anymore and out of stock on the fronts! Anybody know where to get them cheaper than Bikeoutlet as they’re doing them for £276 and can’t seem to find them for any cheaper.

I’ve got a set of the old Arch on Pro2’s and a set of 355(front)crest rear on Pro2’s – The lighter set do feel faster uphill but I use the Arch much more as they feel stiffer. Arch Ex will probably be at least as strong as the Arch but lighter.

I would go for the Arch Ex as it will be a stronger, stiffer wheelset for virtually no weight penalty.

Arch for me too – I found crests to be a bit too bendy for my 14st and style. Although the Arches are heavier they are also stiffer.