29er wheelsets

jacksonpt
jacksonpt Posts: 10,413 Member
I'm building up a HT 29er trailbike this spring and the wheelset is the only major part I'm undecided about. So, I'm looking for recommendations. But not just based on what you've read or what you've heard... I want recommendations based on extensive first hand experience.

So, what have you ridden? Like it, or no?

I weigh ~175 with gear and I'm by no means a finesse rider. So while the bike will be raced a little, my main concern is that it be fun and reliable for every day trail riding.

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Replies

  • BusyRaeNOTBusty
    BusyRaeNOTBusty Posts: 7,166 Member
    Jeremy races on these:

    http://www.jensonusa.com/!Y93ojFNVoemxEeyZ!frjrw!/Stans-Notubes-Arch-Ex-29-Wheelset

    He really likes them. He's pretty hard on wheels and thinks these are more durable yet still pretty light. He's done several races on them including the 100 miler and some really technical ones. He says you might also want to look into the Crest ones as well, they are lighter.
  • jacksonpt
    jacksonpt Posts: 10,413 Member
    The crests are on my list. How much does he weigh?
  • BusyRaeNOTBusty
    BusyRaeNOTBusty Posts: 7,166 Member
    163 at 5'9" (pretty much same as me).
  • composite
    composite Posts: 138 Member
    I think it's worth talking about hubs and rims separately but I build my own so I have the luxury of choosing exactly what I want and saving the cost of the build labour.

    Hubs

    If you have the budget go for the DT Swiss240. If you don't then the DT Swiss350 are very good also, that's what I have myself. They have the same internals as the 240's but are a bit heavier as they are forged rather than CNC machined. If you go for the centre lock 350's though they are only a fraction heavier than the 6 bolt 240's. They use a ratchet system in the free hub rather than the normal sprung loaded pawls and personally I think it feels better, more points of engagement and very quick pick up. These hubs are like a perpetual motion machine they roll and roll.

    https://www.dtswiss.com/Components/Hubs-MTB

    Rims

    I used light bicycle wider carbon 29er rims. The ones they do now are the hookless type and are pretty much the same.
    http://www.light-bicycle.com/bead-hook-less-rims-carbon-29er-light-bike-rim-tubeless-compatible.html#.UyAcTM5I6qk

    These rims are in the similar weight band to the Stans but are far far stiffer. Like really stiff. No compression on drops and laterally when railing berms they don't flex either. I found they slightly harsh to start but after getting used it I love them now as they are just so compliant and just go where ever you point them. I'm about 165lbs at the moment, they will be totally fine for how much you weigh. I know of quite a few elite and expert class XC racers that run these after running Stans rims and have never looked back. Some of these guys (the real whippets) even run the 28 spoke versions instead of the 32 as they are so strong.

    I get though that it is a leap of faith to order them in from China yourself. They only take paypal though and to be fair paypal will pretty much always side with the buyer rather than the seller so there is protection there. I found the whole process very good though. The communication from the company was excellent and I haven't read of anyone having bad customer service from them. Warranties have been honoured where applicable. I think it's the mbtr forum that has a 100 page+ thread about Chinese carbon imports that has been running for a couple of years now and the feeling there is all pretty positive.

    In terms of spokes I use DT Swiss competition and DT Swiss brass nipples.

    I got them to go up tubeless very easily, using 1inch gorilla tape, Stans valves and Stans fluid. Didn't even need proper rim tape/strips. I have used them for about 5 months now; endurance racing, bikepacking (still stiff with the extra weight) and general trail riding.
  • sansey
    sansey Posts: 113 Member
    I am 6'3 220 and fairly hard on rims. Over the winter I upgraded my wheelset on my Niner. I bought the Stans ZTR Arch EX with Hope hubs. So far I love them. They are strong and light. Being I am a heavier rider I did some research and everything I read was the Stans Arch are bomb proof for the weight. I have not had any regrets.
  • jacksonpt
    jacksonpt Posts: 10,413 Member
    I am 6'3 220 and fairly hard on rims. Over the winter I upgraded my wheelset on my Niner. I bought the Stans ZTR Arch EX with Hope hubs. So far I love them. They are strong and light. Being I am a heavier rider I did some research and everything I read was the Stans Arch are bomb proof for the weight. I have not had any regrets.

    Good to hear, thanks.
  • jacksonpt
    jacksonpt Posts: 10,413 Member
    I think it's worth talking about hubs and rims separately but I build my own so I have the luxury of choosing exactly what I want and saving the cost of the build labour.

    I don't mind having them built, but I'm trying to stay with more mainstream stuff, simply due to some purchasing limitations/preferences, but if those rims are really THAT good, then it's probably worth considering. Though, I'm not sure how comfortable I am on carbon hoops.

    .
  • TheBrolympus
    TheBrolympus Posts: 586 Member
    I just put a pair of ZTR Arch EX on my rigid SS and they are rock solid so far. I am 6'2" and 195, so not a small dude.
    I went ahead a put the standard NoTubes hubs on them. Setting up tubeless was so easy too, their bead lock technology works really well with even non-tubeless tires.

    Warning, it took me over a month to get mine because of a back order issue. So call before you order to see if anything is back ordered.
  • jacksonpt
    jacksonpt Posts: 10,413 Member
    Thanks, Ken... The stans are at the top of the list, at least for now.

    Being considered...
    - Stans ZTR Arch EX - good wheel on paper, really popular... I assume for a reason, good price
    - Fulcrum Red Metal XL - running the 26" version on my trail bike and love them, pricey though at retail
    - DT XM 1501 Spline - DT quality, expensive
    - American Classic All Mountain - heard great things about their hubs... that's about all I know
    - Mavic Crossmax ST - had to include a mavic on the list, though they are low on the totem pole right now
    - Easton Haven - same as mavic
    - Sun Ringle Charger Pro - ran the Black Flags for a short time on my previous 29er and was very pleased with them
  • jacksonpt
    jacksonpt Posts: 10,413 Member
    Bumping this, just in case...

    Leading contenders are:

    DT Swiss M 1700 Spline
    Pros - Cheapest of bunch, DT quality. I've had good luck with mid-level DT stuff before, so I have some confidence with their wheels, which is good for peace of mind.
    Cons - little real info/reviews on them

    Mavic Crossmax ST
    Pros - lightest of the bunch, Mavic name/reputation (though I'm not sure what that really means)
    Cons - lightest of the bunch (makes me wonder about strength)

    Fulcrum Red Metal XL
    Pros - fantastic hubs, running 26" version on my FS trail bike (couldn't be happier with them)
    Cons - most expensive (price is really the only thing holding me back)

    .