Light, good sounding hub, good looks looks

Super weak rims dent during mellow trail riding, terrible customer service

This is a light and good looking wheelset, but unfortunately the praise doesn't extend past that. These are the softest rims I have ever ridden and dent very very easily. Every time I take them out there is a new dent, but to their credit they stayed true for a while before they took the shape of stop signs. Customer service is practically non existent. The crash replacement program is a scam and they ask for more than a brand new wheel to replace one. As another poster commented you send in your busted wheel and they just replace it with a new Chinese piece of garbage for pretty much retail. I will not buy AC's again.

Price, Weight, Looks, Customer Service

Extremely weak rims, made in china, cannot replace just the rims

The wheels were great for only about three months. I only weigh 150 pounds and for some reason I have a past record or destroying American Classic rims. It wasn’t a big deal, but when I went to order a new rim, I found out they do not sell just the rims. American Classic wanted me to send the hub to Florida and they would rebuild the wheel. Between their charges and shipping it would cost more than a new wheel. My theory is that they do not have rims laying around and send out a whole new Chinese wheel so the company can get by with having only a couple of people in Florida. Not offering rims and outsourcing to China is a bad business decision, especially since they are weak. My fiancé and dad are building 29ers this winter, they are going to pay extra money and weight penalty to have a working wheel, probably Stans or Sun Ringle, Black Flag Pro.

Similar Products Used:

Mavic C29ssmax
American Classic 26
American Classic Sprint 350

Light, bling factor

Light - don't use if you're over 190

Super light, these things weigh about the same as a pair of socks.
Loved riding them, unfortunately it seems I overburdened them a little. Every ride sees a new dent or kink. Also had two endos from front tire unseating however this could have been the Racing Ralphs I was running - I could pull them on and off the rim by hand even when brand new.
Still giving this product 4 stars because I know a lot of people who weigh less than my 195lbs that have had a great run out of them.
AC All Mountain or Stans for me.

seem moderately light, look good

broke spoke after 6th ride, moderate xc rides only , totalling about 120 miles

broke a spoke only after 6 moderate rides

Similar Products Used:

26" xtr/mavic

Very, very light, lively wheelset. Seem strong and well-built.

Early version of rear hub had problems, now fixed by recall. Quick release design not the best I've used.

These wheels are bafflingly light but seem extremely strong. I am 190lb and like to pop off 1-2' jumps and have had no problems. They really do transform the ride when compared to the much heavier WTB wheelset. If you are hucking off 3' drops every day I would probably look for another product but for fast trail riding of rooty/rocky terrain I heartily recommend these wheels. Next to the frame, these wheels will make the most difference to your ride of any component upgrade IMO. 4 chilis for value because they are somewhat expensive.

Similar Products Used:

WTB Dual Duty/XT wheelset

Rims are weak and dent very easily, not to be used by anyone who rides rocky mtb conditions. Road and hardpack conditions only. Also had continuous problems with rear hub bearings loosening up, had to adjust bearings often.

Would not purchase another AC wheel

Similar Products Used:

Mavic, Easton, WTB, Did not have any of the same problems with these wheels

Light weight... spin up well... tough as nails.

None that I have found except a bit of a loud ratchet. But KK hubs have a similar problem.

I don't know what the previous reviewer's problems where but I ride in the PNW. We have a lot of roots, rocks and other technical problems, including a lot of mud and water. This wheelset made a different accelerating bike out of my 29er. They spin up - they ride smoothly - they seem very durable. I don't do any drop over 3-4' but I do not shy away from any sort of rocky or tech riding. As an example I just rode 80% of gooseberry mesa with these wheels last week with no problems whatsoever, anywhere on any of the more or less difficult technical or lumpy sections of the North or South rims -- I unfortunately didn't have time to do it all -- my significant other allowed me the day on our spring break holiday, so I was happy for the time I got. In my opinion this is a fine wheelset with quality hubs and quality rims, and I recommend them highly.

Similar Products Used:

Everything in 26" that is usful for all mountain riding. Only other set of 29er wheels I have used are XT/Velocity blunts - which are also a good but heavy wheelset.