Anyone know anything about Specialized replacing stout rims?

Yo check this out, I emailed that dude, and he is hella coo. I was reviewing this website for awhile just creeping around in the background, hence this is my 1st post, and I came across that same review, long story short I ended up buying that same bike with stock rims, I bent the front rim 1st time out, and the rear wheel 4th or 5th time out. I took it back to my LBS and they called Specialized and since they didnt have the Rims in stock they are fronting the tab for something comparable. So the bike shopped order some WTB LaserDisc Trail 29er's. When I talked to the dude who originally posted that review he gave props to Specialized and his local bike shop and said they hooked him up, how he came up so big I dont know. But I know my wheel set is an upgrade over the Alex rims that come stock.

Sweet, I have a race this weekend and I will be taking the bike in for an inspection and tune shortly after. I'll mention this to them and see if I can get an upgrade too :thumbsup:

Coo. Remember,

"If you aint first, your last" - Ricky Bobby

I also have same bike (2009 RockHopper Expert 29er), and heard of this, but I thought it was for the first version of the Stout rims (2008, I believe).

I have just over 100 miles on my bike, and have had them trued twice now by my LBS, I knew the rims were the weak point of this bike before I bought it.

They now need to be trued up again, I spoke with my LBS yesterday and I am bringing the bike in to have them re-tension the spokes, or maybe replace them with stronger spokes.. I will have them check into this "free" replacement...

01tj said:

I've been trying to read as much about my new bike as possible and I came across this review where the reviewer states that

"Specialized RHD 29" stout rims, but they have replaced them with 29" Swiss DT 470's. The complete wheelset not just the rims!!! This ends up being a plus after the factory's customer service!!!"

http://www.singletracks.com/mtbreviews/Specialized/Rockhopper-Expert-Disc-29er/1618.html

I am very happy with the bike and see no need to replace the rims at this point but if there is a way to get a free $500 upgrade I am definitely game. Has anyone heard anything about this? I will ask my LBS when I take it back in for the first tune (recommended after 10 hours) but wanted to see if anyone else has heard anything about it first.

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Sorry to burst your bubble, but you aren't going to get a free wheelset just for asking. If you manage to break your fairly quickly like BT3916 or just keep having issues they may give you a nice replacement as part of the warranty or just good customer service, but they may also just give you the same thing again. Bike companies do often give out upgraded warranty replacements if they don't have the same part in stock, and that is what you are seeing here

boomn said:

Sorry to burst your bubble, but you aren't going to get a free wheelset just for asking. If you manage to break your fairly quickly like BT3916 or just keep having issues they may give you a nice replacement as part of the warranty or just good customer service, but they may also just give you the same thing again. Bike companies do often give out upgraded warranty replacements if they don't have the same part in stock, and that is what you are seeing here

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He is right, I talked to my shop about it, and they told me the same thing. So I could have got the same wheel set easily but they didnt have it in stock. But I always say it never hurts to ask.

97mach1 My bike shop told me that anytime you get a bike the stock rims are made by a machine so they are not that strong as someone building them by hand. I do know that spokes can be hella expensive. Like 80 bucks for a set.

BT3916 said:

He is right, I talked to my shop about it, and they told me the same thing. So I could have got the same wheel set easily but they didnt have it in stock. But I always say it never hurts to ask.

97mach1 My bike shop told me that anytime you get a bike the stock rims are made by a machine so they are not that strong as someone building them by hand. I do know that spokes can be hella expensive. Like 80 bucks for a set.

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The stock WHEELS are machine built, meaning laced and tensioned by machine. Hand built wheels can be more durable, not really "stronger." I will detension and hand tension/true production wheels to be sure they are as good as they can be.

New spokes and nipples for one wheel (32) should be ~$20 for straight gauge and brass nipples. Basic double butted and brass ~$30. Add ~$15 for aluminum nipples.