How can I make these wheels lighter?

Alias530 · Feb 27, 2015

I'm not actually using the rim pictured, but it's the closest to the published weight of the rims I'm using (Light Bicycle 29er 35mm wide--420g).

I'm 240lbs so I don't want any extreme measures taken, but 1,700g just sounds heavy for carbon rims with spokes that are $3 each and high end hubs. I see wheels like the Industry 9 trail wheels in the 1,500g with aluminum rims and wonder. I realize they won't be as stiff and probably use alloy nipples, but still.

I have DT hubs on my cross bike and want higher engagement for my MTB build. I realize there is a 54 POE ratchet but I've read of a few heavier riders breaking them, the teeth are just too small, so the weight savings of a DT 240 isn't in the cards here.

lRaphl · Feb 27, 2015

The Light Bicycle 35mm rims are 420g ±15g so you could ask to get rims as close as possible to 405g. right there you gain 40g. Using Pillar Mega Lite SS spokes would net you about 40g. 28 spokes instead of 32 would also give you an other 30g. Going alloy nipple and it's an other 35g.

If you add all this, you would remove 145g from your Wheelset making it around 1546g.

I9 Torch classic hubs are also a bit lighter (155g / 280g). Here is an other 67g you can take off the wheel.

I hope this help!

Good luck!

jrastories · Feb 27, 2015

You are building a really aggressive all mountain wheel, not so much a light weight racing wheel. Compare to an equivalent alu rim made for enduro/all mountain you are saving about 100 to 150g but compare to an enve and you definitely are gaining weight.

Alias530 · Feb 27, 2015

lRaphl said:
The Light Bicycle 35mm rims are 420g ±15g so you could ask to get rims as close as possible to 405g. right there you gain 40g. Using Pillar Mega Lite SS spokes would net you about 40g. 28 spokes instead of 32 would also give you an other 30g. Going alloy nipple and it's an other 35g.

If you add all this, you would remove 145g from your Wheelset making it around 1546g.

I9 Torch classic hubs are also a bit lighter (155g / 280g). Here is an other 67g you can take off the wheel.

I hope this help!

Good luck!

I have LB rims on my cross bike and went with XC dimensions in an AM layup (normally a 360g rim but with carbon added to get to 405g). It makes me a little nervous to use a lighter rim but I guess with big tires and suspension the rim itself probably sees less abuse than my cross bike.

Are Pillar Mega Lite spokes clyde suitable? I'm even a little hesitant to use CX Rays, although the CX Rays have got to be stiffer than the Laser.

I've read a handful of reviews that say the i9 hubs are not clyde suitable so I want to stay away from that.

And I've read that alu nipples can corrode with carbon rims. I know some manufacturers use steel washers under the nipples to prevent this. Or would that negate all of the weight savings?

lRaphl · Feb 27, 2015

I've built a wheelset with Light Bicycle 26er XC rims (330g) with alloy nipples in 2012 and didn't get a single corroded nipple so far. And even if it was to corrode...it's no big deal to change a spoke/nipple once in a while. I broke my first spoke last fall and it took me like 45 min to fix everything up at home after the ride.

CuddlyToast · Feb 27, 2015

So, as others have pointed out, Chris King hubs are heavy. Brass nipples are heavy. The industry 9 wheels you mention are also a much lighter rim, and use less spokes... they are also a much more delicate build than what you are planning.

Unfortunatly, as a clyde, your choices are limited. I cant comment on durability from that point of view.

I run LB 35mm wide 27.5 rims on cx-rays with mix/matched american classic front/i9 rear. Its 1493g, so its not crazy, most of that weight is saved in the hubs. Just looking at enve's webiste, and you can see that most chris king equipped hubs are about 100-200gs heavier than the dt swiss equivalent.

I have been using alu nipples in LB carbon hoops with no problem. They have survived all sorts of thrashing, and i have no doubt they will be trouble free for a long time *knocks on wood*

Alias530 · Feb 27, 2015

Can anyone comment on CX Ray vs DT Rev? They're about the same weight but Revs are 1/3 the cost. I couldn't care less about aero on a mountain bike, just want durable and relatively stiff.

xc71 · Feb 27, 2015

This is tough at your weight. I would look at Tune King/Kong hubs 115 & 205 grams. These are the heavier version of the much lighter Princess/Prince hubs which I've run for 3 seasons now with zero issues. American Classic is also worth looking at, their hubs are 118/225 grams and the freehub body has steel inserts so it doesn't get chewed up by the cogset. I would run Alum nipples. I have a couple of carbon wheelset with Alum nips and no issues with corrosion and thats winter riding in the snow. I don't think you can go wrong with CX-Rays. I have them on a 28 hole 1169 gram wheelset and they have been excellent - no issues.
https://fairwheelbikes.com/tune-kong-rear-disc-hub-p-1341.html

Le Duke · Feb 28, 2015

Alias530 said:
I have LB rims on my cross bike and went with XC dimensions in an AM layup (normally a 360g rim but with carbon added to get to 405g). It makes me a little nervous to use a lighter rim but I guess with big tires and suspension the rim itself probably sees less abuse than my cross bike.

Are Pillar Mega Lite spokes clyde suitable? I'm even a little hesitant to use CX Rays, although the CX Rays have got to be stiffer than the Laser.

I've read a handful of reviews that say the i9 hubs are not clyde suitable so I want to stay away from that.

And I've read that alu nipples can corrode with carbon rims. I know some manufacturers use steel washers under the nipples to prevent this. Or would that negate all of the weight savings?

Dude, this has been beaten to death.

CX-Rays and Lasers have the same cross sectional area. Thus, same stiffness.

Aerolites and Revolutions have the same cross sectional area. Thus, same stiffness.

Thinner spokes = more durable.

Thicker spokes = stiffer.

The vast majority of what you'll think you feel is going to be from the rim. Most of what you actually perceive is going to be from the tire.

At the end of the day, you're 240lbs, running 2.5" DH tires. Beating yourself up over aluminum vs. brass nipples isn't going to change the fact that you're losing far more from the rolling resistance of your front tire alone than you'll gain by knocking 100g off your bike.

bigdrunk · Feb 28, 2015

Stick with DT 240s but only go with the 36t upgrade and call it good.

Try the 36mm rims from this place. 390g.

Bead hook-less rims carbon 29er light bike rim tubeless compatible, outer width DH & AM 36.00/35.00/30.00mm and XC 27.00mm - carbon rim (beadless) - Carbon Bicycle, Carbon Frame, Carbon Rims, Carbon Wheels, Carbon Wheelsets, Carbon Mountain Bike, Car

You could always run aluminum nips but probably not worth it. With Revloutions, 240 hubs and the 390g rims you are easily in the 1500g range.

CuddlyToast · Feb 28, 2015

I would maybe avoid both tune and American classic when it comes to rear hubs... They don't have the most sterling reputation for durability.

Le duke speaks the truth, once again. I would take a cx-ray over a rev anyday. They are also way easier to build... Revs require a lot of work... Both building, and maintaining.

xc71 · Feb 28, 2015

CuddlyToast said:
I would maybe avoid both tune and American classic when it comes to rear hubs... They don't have the most sterling reputation for durability.

Le duke speaks the truth, once again. I would take a cx-ray over a rev anyday. They are also way easier to build... Revs require a lot of work... Both building, and maintaining.

The neg reviews on Tune rear hubs is old news. After they switched to a 17mm axle ( approx 2012 ) I have not seen any issues. That is also on the much lighter Prince hub, the Kong rear has very good reviews.

How can I make these wheels lighter?

Alias530

lRaphl

jrastories

Alias530

lRaphl

CuddlyToast

Alias530

xc71

Le Duke

bigdrunk

CuddlyToast

xc71

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