Reliable and strong XC MTB wheel recommendations
Discussion
as per the title. don't have a lot of MTB experience, and am due to do the Mountain Mayhem event in 4 weeks and want to upgrade my wheels. Max budget around the £300 mark.
My current wheels (genesis altitude 2.0) keep having spokes break on them.... not ideal in a race.
Suggestions welcome.
My current wheels (genesis altitude 2.0) keep having spokes break on them.... not ideal in a race.
Suggestions welcome.
I don't know what rationale you are using for selecting your new kit. If it was me, I'd be focussed on finding the best wheel builder I can afford, rather than buying the highest spec hubs, rims or spokes possible.
I see you're in London, I used to use a chap in Evans Cycles Wandsworth, but that was many years ago. I bit a bit of Googling will turn up recomendations I'd guess.
I see you're in London, I used to use a chap in Evans Cycles Wandsworth, but that was many years ago. I bit a bit of Googling will turn up recomendations I'd guess.
Absolutely.
From experience, I'd go further and say lesser spec wheels built buy a talented and experienced builder will be significantly stronger and more durable than a higher spec one built en mass by hand (e.g. online bike shops) or by your average LBS.
Although, that won't help if you have an argument with a tree a week after handing over the cash.....
From experience, I'd go further and say lesser spec wheels built buy a talented and experienced builder will be significantly stronger and more durable than a higher spec one built en mass by hand (e.g. online bike shops) or by your average LBS.
Although, that won't help if you have an argument with a tree a week after handing over the cash.....
Beyond Rational said:
I've bought a few wheels from Merlin and they've always stood up well, my LBS can be a bit of a mixed bag.
I've gone with Mavic XC717 on Hope Pro2s because they are both products that I know. Your choice will also depend on what width of tyre you wish to fit.
probably looking for something between 1.75 and 1.95 for firetrail/XC type riding mainly.I've gone with Mavic XC717 on Hope Pro2s because they are both products that I know. Your choice will also depend on what width of tyre you wish to fit.
Gooby said:
Hubs Hope Pro 2
Rims Mavic XM819 UST
Spokes DT Swiss Competition S/S Black
this will turn into a "I ride this" thread sooner or later so I will start it.
Superb wheels, no problems yet. Could be the sodding great 2.4 tyres wrapped around them.....
2.4 .... do you tow a plough? Rims Mavic XM819 UST
Spokes DT Swiss Competition S/S Black
this will turn into a "I ride this" thread sooner or later so I will start it.
Superb wheels, no problems yet. Could be the sodding great 2.4 tyres wrapped around them.....
PS I'm not into a p!ssing competition re the spec/weight of my bike/wheels. I just need something strong & reliable.
Many thanks
Edited by fergus on Tuesday 19th May 16:43
fergus said:
Gooby said:
Hubs Hope Pro 2
Rims Mavic XM819 UST
Spokes DT Swiss Competition S/S Black
this will turn into a "I ride this" thread sooner or later so I will start it.
Superb wheels, no problems yet. Could be the sodding great 2.4 tyres wrapped around them.....
2.4 .... do you tow a plough? Rims Mavic XM819 UST
Spokes DT Swiss Competition S/S Black
this will turn into a "I ride this" thread sooner or later so I will start it.
Superb wheels, no problems yet. Could be the sodding great 2.4 tyres wrapped around them.....
PS I'm not into a p!ssing competition re the spec/weight of my bike/wheels. I just need something strong & reliable.
Many thanks
Edited by fergus on Tuesday 19th May 16:43
Loads of sand around here so big tyres are very helpful
Gooby said:
fergus said:
Gooby said:
Hubs Hope Pro 2
Rims Mavic XM819 UST
Spokes DT Swiss Competition S/S Black
this will turn into a "I ride this" thread sooner or later so I will start it.
Superb wheels, no problems yet. Could be the sodding great 2.4 tyres wrapped around them.....
2.4 .... do you tow a plough? Rims Mavic XM819 UST
Spokes DT Swiss Competition S/S Black
this will turn into a "I ride this" thread sooner or later so I will start it.
Superb wheels, no problems yet. Could be the sodding great 2.4 tyres wrapped around them.....
PS I'm not into a p!ssing competition re the spec/weight of my bike/wheels. I just need something strong & reliable.
Many thanks
Edited by fergus on Tuesday 19th May 16:43
Loads of sand around here so big tyres are very helpful
fergus said:
Beyond Rational said:
I've bought a few wheels from Merlin and they've always stood up well, my LBS can be a bit of a mixed bag.
I've gone with Mavic XC717 on Hope Pro2s because they are both products that I know. Your choice will also depend on what width of tyre you wish to fit.
probably looking for something between 1.75 and 1.95 for firetrail/XC type riding mainly.I've gone with Mavic XC717 on Hope Pro2s because they are both products that I know. Your choice will also depend on what width of tyre you wish to fit.
Gooby said:
Hubs Hope Pro 2
Rims Mavic XM819 UST
Spokes DT Swiss Competition S/S Black
this will turn into a "I ride this" thread sooner or later so I will start it.
Superb wheels, no problems yet. Could be the sodding great 2.4 tyres wrapped around them.....
I've got exactly the same combo and have yet to break a spoke or bend a rim. I run anything from 1.8 mud tyres to 2.4 summer Alps tyres, and weigh 15st - these are seriously strong and acceptably light. I paid about £300 for my not-at-local LBS to build them.Rims Mavic XM819 UST
Spokes DT Swiss Competition S/S Black
this will turn into a "I ride this" thread sooner or later so I will start it.
Superb wheels, no problems yet. Could be the sodding great 2.4 tyres wrapped around them.....
Edited to say - the 819 rim is exceptionally strong (I've bent 717s quite easily) which was my main reason for specifying it, but a further advantage is that it's UST compatible as standard, so you don't have the cost of a Stan's conversions should you decide to go tubeless.
Alternatively buy some s/h Crossmax - I've got several sets and have never paid more than £170 per set. Never had a problem, and have only bust a spoke through crashing.
Edited by longblackcoat on Tuesday 19th May 19:57
fergus said:
Gooby said:
fergus said:
Gooby said:
Hubs Hope Pro 2
Rims Mavic XM819 UST
Spokes DT Swiss Competition S/S Black
this will turn into a "I ride this" thread sooner or later so I will start it.
Superb wheels, no problems yet. Could be the sodding great 2.4 tyres wrapped around them.....
2.4 .... do you tow a plough? Rims Mavic XM819 UST
Spokes DT Swiss Competition S/S Black
this will turn into a "I ride this" thread sooner or later so I will start it.
Superb wheels, no problems yet. Could be the sodding great 2.4 tyres wrapped around them.....
PS I'm not into a p!ssing competition re the spec/weight of my bike/wheels. I just need something strong & reliable.
Many thanks
Edited by fergus on Tuesday 19th May 16:43
Loads of sand around here so big tyres are very helpful
Typical ride is about a 15 mile loop with about 700m of climb from sandy beach to grassy down, some seriously fast downhill - usually dodging cows.
longblackcoat said:
Gooby said:
Hubs Hope Pro 2
Rims Mavic XM819 UST
Spokes DT Swiss Competition S/S Black
this will turn into a "I ride this" thread sooner or later so I will start it.
Superb wheels, no problems yet. Could be the sodding great 2.4 tyres wrapped around them.....
I've got exactly the same combo and have yet to break a spoke or bend a rim. I run anything from 1.8 mud tyres to 2.4 summer Alps tyres, and weigh 15st - these are seriously strong and acceptably light. I paid about £300 for my not-at-local LBS to build them.Rims Mavic XM819 UST
Spokes DT Swiss Competition S/S Black
this will turn into a "I ride this" thread sooner or later so I will start it.
Superb wheels, no problems yet. Could be the sodding great 2.4 tyres wrapped around them.....
Edited to say - the 819 rim is exceptionally strong (I've bent 717s quite easily) which was my main reason for specifying it, but a further advantage is that it's UST compatible as standard, so you don't have the cost of a Stan's conversions should you decide to go tubeless.
Alternatively buy some s/h Crossmax - I've got several sets and have never paid more than £170 per set. Never had a problem, and have only bust a spoke through crashing.
What is UST (apologies if this is an obvious q!).
fergus said:
longblackcoat said:
Gooby said:
Hubs Hope Pro 2
Rims Mavic XM819 UST
Spokes DT Swiss Competition S/S Black
this will turn into a "I ride this" thread sooner or later so I will start it.
Superb wheels, no problems yet. Could be the sodding great 2.4 tyres wrapped around them.....
I've got exactly the same combo and have yet to break a spoke or bend a rim. I run anything from 1.8 mud tyres to 2.4 summer Alps tyres, and weigh 15st - these are seriously strong and acceptably light. I paid about £300 for my not-at-local LBS to build them.Rims Mavic XM819 UST
Spokes DT Swiss Competition S/S Black
this will turn into a "I ride this" thread sooner or later so I will start it.
Superb wheels, no problems yet. Could be the sodding great 2.4 tyres wrapped around them.....
Edited to say - the 819 rim is exceptionally strong (I've bent 717s quite easily) which was my main reason for specifying it, but a further advantage is that it's UST compatible as standard, so you don't have the cost of a Stan's conversions should you decide to go tubeless.
Alternatively buy some s/h Crossmax - I've got several sets and have never paid more than £170 per set. Never had a problem, and have only bust a spoke through crashing.
What is UST (apologies if this is an obvious q!).
Beyond Rational said:
I've gone with Mavic XC717 on Hope Pro2s because they are both products that I know. Your choice will also depend on what width of tyre you wish to fit.
Same here - have stood up well to a couple of years of sandy, rocky XC work on a duallie carrying about 14st. Usually used with a 2.1 tyre, and all seems well. See quite a few similar on trails.Gassing Station | Pedal Powered | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff