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1755 grams to 1600 grams wheelset : see a (real) difference ?

7959 Views 21 Replies 19 Participants Last post by  Dscarbs
I've been riding a set of C29ssmax since 2007 and really enjoy it. No complain, UST, feel super light, accelerate quickly, never been trued, no broken spokes, super stiff, some problem with the freehub in the beginning but now fixed for two years. Yeah I'm addicted to Mavic wheels since I began mountain biking :D However the American Classic 29er (1600 grams version) are calling me. I'm wondering whether I will appreciate the 150 grams weight loss or I better keep going with my 1755 grams C29ssmax .
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basic physics, and my own experience, suggests that losing say 100 g/wheel in rotational weight is noticeable. but if the main weight saving is in the hubs, then 100g ain't particularly noticeable.
Do you know if Mavic hubs are heavier than others ?

but if the main weight saving is in the hubs, then 100g ain't particularly noticeable
the C29ssmax rim weighs ~450g
the spokes + nipples weigh ~190g per wheel
that means you've got 475g to split between the hubs (assuming your 1755g is a good number)
the last set of AMC hubs I weighed was 366g (238g & 128g)
so that means 110g of the weight difference is in the hubs, and the balance (40g) is in the rest of the wheels.
i don't know the internal width of the AMC rims, but my guess is that it's wider than the 19mm C29ssmax.

as to whether or not you'll be able to tell a "real" difference, the only person that can judge that is you, as you'll find people with opinions on both sides of the issue. the wheels will probably feel different due to the difference in design and materials, but whether you'll judge that as better or worse is impossible to say for anyone but you.
155 grams=5.5 oz. That is a significant amount to take off the rotational weight of the bike. But, as said before, if most of it's in the hubs you won't really notice the difference.

One place you will notice a difference immediately is in your wallet. I say, go for it.......and cut me a sweet deal on those C29ssmax wheels!
I put a set of new rubber on my wheels that was 110 grams lighter per tire. Noticed absolutely nothing concerning "rotational mass" or some other gimmick. The new tires worked fine and that's all that mattered. If you are looking to shave a minute or two off a lap time at a race, consider it. If you are out ridin' your local trails with friends and just having a good time, you will probably NEVER notice it.
Straight pull C29SSMAX spokes are your point and shoot rim..
Traditional button hook style has lots more deflection..
I love my mavics.
For that amount of a difference in weight for the SET the only place u will probably see it is on a scale...
I think once under 1800 grams for a set of wheels you're at the point of diminishing returns. Sure the AC's are lighter. But its not like the Mavic's are heavy. Add in most of the difference being at the hubs and I don't see the point in swapping.

If you didn't own either I'd go with the lighter set. But swapping one for the other not so much.
Based on past experiences, I personally would not notice that small of a weight difference.
a banana wighs more than the difference youre speaking of
Pedlin' Slow said:
I put a set of new rubber on my wheels that was 110 grams lighter per tire. Noticed absolutely nothing concerning "rotational mass" or some other gimmick. The new tires worked fine and that's all that mattered. If you are looking to shave a minute or two off a lap time at a race, consider it. If you are out ridin' your local trails with friends and just having a good time, you will probably NEVER notice it.
Really, I could pick up 2-1/4 oz. of dirt per tire without trying. I don't think it's worth it considering you already have nice wheels. Spend the extra coin on fine dining and fine women.

...or start your next build.:)

-F
Different foot print from the wider rims the classics have…the mavic wheels in my opinion are 2 narrow but they were stiff… haven’t ridden the classics yet but they feel crazy light…
I'd find a way to demo the wheels and see for yourself, but I'd say chasing 150g when you have a perfectly good set of wheels probably doesn't make much sense, especially if the weight savings isn't in the rims.
Last year I swapped 450g rims with Stan's 29'er tubeless rim strips for 385g rims with yellow tape and did not notice a difference (other than being easier to inflate tubeless).
Are the AC wheels also UST or will you make up for the weight difference in rim strips?

Anyway, I for one have noticed a lot of improvement in acceleration when dropping from 580gr Ralphs to 460gr Barros.

The difference was day and night, one rear cog lower for the same climb.

So i would reckon you will be able to feel anything over 100 grams saved in the area of rims, tyres, nipples...
Save your money. 100 gram loss for $$$$... Makes no sense to me unless money is no object and you are a racer.

I ran CrossMax 26er wheels for years, loved the hell out of them. I'd have a set of their 29er wheels, but I am on a budget.
So i would reckon you will be able to feel anything over 100 grams saved in the area of rims, tyres, nipples...
C29ssmax front 825 / AC front 738 (-87 grams)
C29ssmax rear 930 / AC rear 842 (-88 grams)

It's less than 100 grams per wheel not counting the yellow tape. I read many threads where people raved about the +/-1600 grams Stans and American Classic and I was wondering whether I was missing something great but after reading your comments I'll keep riding the C29ssmax for a 5th year.

Spend the extra coin on fine dining and fine women...or start your next build
I already changed almost all the parts on my bike. The wheels is the last thing I could improve. Good advice, I think my wife will be happy to hear that I stop spending money on bike parts...

for a while :cool:

Thank you all.
Budgets suck.
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