Cheapo carbon MTB wheels?
Discussion
Ive seen threads about cheap Chinese carbon road wheels before, but has anyone bought their MTB wheels from our Far East friends?
I have a 650b Boardman Pro Carbon hardtail that's 11kg with c/f cranks & handlebar, and XTR pedals. I want the bike even lighter, and I want to go faster!
Currently feel the wheels are the weak point - basic Mavic XM319 rims with unbranded (heavy) hubs.
Been looking at this website: http://www.light-bicycle.com/carbon-mtb-650b-wheel...
With Hope hubs and shipment to the UK, it comes in at $907, or £564 (duty to pay on top I guess). I think ENVE rims are around £2000, and this morning I went into my LBS who have started importing Chinese rims, but once built up they quoted me £1000 a set.
Bike is used around Swinley forest, and in the past year have started doing XC races in the local area, so the wheels don't need to withstand huge jumps or particularly extreme terrain. Im just hoping they will improve acceleration/reduce strava times.
Anyone got any experiences with Chinese carbon MTB wheels? Where did you buy them from? Noticed a performance difference vs your previous wheels?
I have a 650b Boardman Pro Carbon hardtail that's 11kg with c/f cranks & handlebar, and XTR pedals. I want the bike even lighter, and I want to go faster!
Currently feel the wheels are the weak point - basic Mavic XM319 rims with unbranded (heavy) hubs.
Been looking at this website: http://www.light-bicycle.com/carbon-mtb-650b-wheel...
With Hope hubs and shipment to the UK, it comes in at $907, or £564 (duty to pay on top I guess). I think ENVE rims are around £2000, and this morning I went into my LBS who have started importing Chinese rims, but once built up they quoted me £1000 a set.
Bike is used around Swinley forest, and in the past year have started doing XC races in the local area, so the wheels don't need to withstand huge jumps or particularly extreme terrain. Im just hoping they will improve acceleration/reduce strava times.
Anyone got any experiences with Chinese carbon MTB wheels? Where did you buy them from? Noticed a performance difference vs your previous wheels?
These seem the best/lightest ally wheels I can see, though its still another couple of hundred bucks:
http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/mavic-crossmax-...
http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/mavic-crossmax-...
vwsurfbum said:
I run Light-Bicycle AM wheels, they are light, fast and stiff. Had them close to two years now, they've done everything from DH to coast to coast.
I have them in 29er flavour with 3k finish and blue nipples and Novatech hubs. so much better hubs that the hope options.
Good to hear you are pleased with them. The Novatec hubs are way cheaper, but [noob question alert] when i tick that option, it implies they only suit Shimano 11-speed (im 10 speed) - so no good for me?I have them in 29er flavour with 3k finish and blue nipples and Novatech hubs. so much better hubs that the hope options.
Herman Toothrot said:
Unrelated to wheels but have you gone 1x10 yet that'll loose you some weight.
No, and i just got myself some sexy new double cranks recently, so wont be changing for a while! I do like the sound of the simplicity of 1X10/11, though sometimes i am glad of my granny ring - it gets used twice in the forest, on the big climb before Deerstalker, and then on Labyrinth just because its so technical and has those slow steep hairpins.^^^ They do look sexy 
Update from me - ive just ordered some from Superstar Components. Price was £600 on the nose, delivered, which would likely be the same (or less) than the LBC ones once customs charges etc are accounted for, and at least this way any potential warranty claims are going to be less hassle. Weight is basically the same, and Superstar have swapped the standard black hubs to blingy gold ones free of charge for me, which will match my black/yellow colour scheme!
http://www.superstarcomponents.com/en/am-carbon-wh...
(a cheaper £450 wheelset is available but with lesser hubs)
Have also bought the bits and bobs to go tubeless, so hopefully will have a decent weight saving. Will probably end up only shaving 5 seconds off my Swinley lap time...
Update from me - ive just ordered some from Superstar Components. Price was £600 on the nose, delivered, which would likely be the same (or less) than the LBC ones once customs charges etc are accounted for, and at least this way any potential warranty claims are going to be less hassle. Weight is basically the same, and Superstar have swapped the standard black hubs to blingy gold ones free of charge for me, which will match my black/yellow colour scheme!
http://www.superstarcomponents.com/en/am-carbon-wh...
(a cheaper £450 wheelset is available but with lesser hubs)
Have also bought the bits and bobs to go tubeless, so hopefully will have a decent weight saving. Will probably end up only shaving 5 seconds off my Swinley lap time...
Pablo16v said:
The LB warranty is pretty good too. A mate trashed a rear rim a couple of years ago and LB replaced it FOC even though it was outside of the warranty period.
yeah, i heard they did offer a warranty and were good to deal with, but the hassle element is more about having to post them back to china (and at your cost).
Got my new wheels set up tubeless by a LBS yesterday. When i picked them up they were moaning about how tough they were so glad i didnt have a go - £20 well spent i reckon!
With the leftover tape and fluid i might have a go at doing my 26" MTB myself.
Anyway, bike is now a shade over 10kg. Havent ridden it yet because its still pissing down. Rear hub is LOOOOUUUUD.... really hope that doesnt get annoying on the trails.
With the leftover tape and fluid i might have a go at doing my 26" MTB myself.
Anyway, bike is now a shade over 10kg. Havent ridden it yet because its still pissing down. Rear hub is LOOOOUUUUD.... really hope that doesnt get annoying on the trails.
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