[CO-RDR-2021]

I am about to buy a new wheelset for my bike and I am having an issue deciding which set to get. I am a Clydesdale so I am looking at alloy wheels. I like high engagement hubs for steep technical climbs which is pretty much the norm for much of my area of Colorado. I have decided on the I9 1/1 hubs for their engagement and value.

I have been looking at the I9 1/1 Enduro S wheelset, or having a set of wheels built by customwheelbuilder.com with DT Swiss XM481 rims and the 1/1 hubs. I have never owned I9 wheels but everyone seems to rave about them. The one thing I do not like about them is they are 28 spoke and at 245 lbs kitted up I worry about long term durability. I have had custom wheels built before from someone else and really liked them. I am just wondering peoples’ thoughts on which is the best way to go. Am I just getting caught up in the I9 hype, or would I be crazy not to buy their complete wheelset? Wheels are such a large expense that I want to make sure I am making the right purchase.

 

[utmtbrider]

Imo i9 wheels are fantastic like you mentioned above. The stock enduro s 1/1 wheels are a good wheel for te money and should perform well. I would give them a shot and see how you like them. Its probably cheaper to go that route than custom lacing those dt rims also. You are close to the 250lbs weight limit so I would call i9 and get their opinion on long term durability though.

 

[Harold]

I'm sub-200lbs and the vast majority of pro wheel builders I've talked to over the years tell me that at my weight and riding style, 32 spokes is essentially nonnegotiable. Though i9's system wheels with their alu spokes are a bit different than their S wheelsets that use regular j-bend steel spokes. Still, I had some lower spoke count wheels years ago (Mavic CrossTrail) and those wheels had some very pronounced flex that made some very interesting noises. I never broke anything, but I was almost certainly pushing the limits of what those wheels could take without dying.

I currently have Hydra hubs laced to DT Swiss XM481 rims (I took a wheelbuilding class and built these myself as my class project) and have been really pleased with their durability. These rims make for a pretty solid build that works really well for the way I ride.

My wife is much lighter and a less aggressive rider and lower spoke counts work well for her. I'd probably be fine with lower spoke counts for a lighter duty bike that's not getting pounded so much.

 

[CO-RDR-2021]

Thanks utmtbrider for the recommendation. There is only about a $100 difference between the I9 and custom wheels, so not enough to swing the decision one direction or another.

 

[CO-RDR-2021]

I'm sub-200lbs and the vast majority of pro wheel builders I've talked to over the years tell me that at my weight and riding style, 32 spokes is essentially nonnegotiable. Though i9's system wheels with their alu spokes are a bit different than their S wheelsets that use regular j-bend steel spokes. Still, I had some lower spoke count wheels years ago (Mavic CrossTrail) and those wheels had some very pronounced flex that made some very interesting noises. I never broke anything, but I was almost certainly pushing the limits of what those wheels could take without dying.

I currently have Hydra hubs laced to DT Swiss XM481 rims (I took a wheelbuilding class and built these myself as my class project) and have been really pleased with their durability. These rims make for a pretty solid build that works really well for the way I ride.

My wife is much lighter and a less aggressive rider and lower spoke counts work well for her. I'd probably be fine with lower spoke counts for a lighter duty bike that's not getting pounded so much.

I was worried 28 spokes was a deal breaker and it sounds like it is. Thank you for your advice.

 

[Cary]

I would reach out to Mikesee (lacemine29) who can build you up a wheelset that best fits your needs, weight, riding style and budget. He builds1000+ wheelsets a year so has a lot of feedback and experience to support his recommendations.

 

[Harold]

I would reach out to Mikesee (lacemine29) who can build you up a wheelset that best fits your needs, weight, riding style and budget. He builds1000+ wheelsets a year so has a lot of feedback and experience to support his recommendations.

fwiw, he is one of the pro builders who pushed me to 32h.

 

[evasive]

I would reach out to Mikesee (lacemine29) who can build you up a wheelset that best fits your needs, weight, riding style and budget. He builds1000+ wheelsets a year so has a lot of feedback and experience to support his recommendations.

Agreed. If you don’t have a local shop with a wheelbuilder you trust, contact Mike. I’ve had several sets of wheels from him that have been excellent. His experience and advice is the real selling point.

 

[CO-RDR-2021]

Thanks everyone. I just reached out to Mike to get some detail on getting a set built.

 

[6thElement]

than their S wheelsets that use regular j-bend steel spokes

The S wheelsets are straight pull steel spokes.

Definitely go for something 32 spokes at your riding weight OP.

 

[Harold]

The S wheelsets are straight pull steel spokes.

Definitely go for something 32 spokes at your riding weight OP.

the Hydra S are straight pull, but the 1/1 S are j-bend.

 

[6thElement]

the Hydra S are straight pull, but the 1/1 S are j-bend.

My bad, thanks for the correction.

 

[Harold]

My bad, thanks for the correction.

To be fair, I had to look it up. It was a fairly vague memory that I had seen j-bend spokes on an S wheelset once. when I looked at i9's website and saw the Hydra S wheels with straight pulls I was about to respond to you about correcting me. but then I looked at the 1/1 S just to be sure, and sure enough, they had j-bend. so we were both wrong (because I thought ALL S wheels used j-bend spokes at first), but were both right. lol.

 

[2021Mach6]

I'm 155lbs and even I wouldn't wanna get 28 spokes, I don't care what they're made from. I'm wreckless on my bike though so it takes a lotta abuse, but still, just heard too many people complain about 28 spokes I'm not taking a chance, even if it's just peace of mind, but at 245lbs there's no way!

 

[HEMIjer]

There is so much more to wheel selection than just spoke count, make sure to consider company/builder, carbon or aluminum, what bike use/what tires, what pressure, weight or rimm, width of rimm, intention of rimm. I have no problem running 28h rimms on Full Suspension bikes but they have always been burly carbon rimms. I sometimes float around 200 full geared up (getting that down again) ride hard but not a huge hucker. For instance Enve M630 just money and only 28H, recently gotta set of TR32s but havent hit them hard yet. In general I would trust I9 weight ratings in a heartbeat and know they have great customer service. You would likely be fine on any of their endure rated rimms.

If talking to Mike just listen to him he is a master

If not sure best option is to get a reputable builder like Mike (Custom wheel builder seems good) or reputable company and don't be afraid to pick up phone talk with them.