Alu nips are not that big of a deal....
1. Aluminum nipples - everybody on the reviews doesn't like them.
I'm 230 and ride agressive XC. I've used both Alu and brass nipples on my wheels. No difference. The only thing about aluminum nipples is they are easier to round off when spoke tension gets high. But I've never had one "fail". Quality is the key, DT or Wheelsmith seem to be the best IMHO.
2. I am 210lbs and 6'1" so a 24 spoke wheelset may be a little sketchy
Quite possible. At my weight and riding style I don't run anything less than a 32 spoke wheel. If you are running disc brakes or ride agressively I'd shy away from anything less than a 28 spoke. For me it's not an option. I'd be leary of a 24 in your position. But it does depend allot on how you ride. But most folks at 200+ find low spoke count wheels a bit flexy in most cases.
3. FSA's site says that the wheels accept "shimano" cassettes. I like Sram better.
Shimano and SRAM have the same dimensions. If you can put a shimano cassette on it, a sram will fit as well. There are very few hubs out there that won't work with both off the shelf. And even those that don't all that is usually required to make em work is a small spacer behind the cassette.
If you could push your budget another $60 I'd recommend Hope XC hubs laced to Mavic 717's. http://www.universalcycles.com/shopping/product_details.php?id=5337&category=250 Lighter than the Shimano/717 set, and great quality hubs. I've got a set of Hope XC's laced to Mavic 719 (a bit heavier duty rim) and they still come in just over 1800g, but are still nice and stiff. The Hope/717 wheel should be a bit lighter yet. And they'd be lighter than the Speed Disc Pro wheels, which tip the scales right at 2000g for the set.
If you are stuck to that budget though the XT/717 or the Speed Disc sets would be the way to go IMHO Anyway, your choice, but I'd definately steere clear of a 24 spoke set up at your weight.
Good Dirt
1. Aluminum nipples - everybody on the reviews doesn't like them.
I'm 230 and ride agressive XC. I've used both Alu and brass nipples on my wheels. No difference. The only thing about aluminum nipples is they are easier to round off when spoke tension gets high. But I've never had one "fail". Quality is the key, DT or Wheelsmith seem to be the best IMHO.
2. I am 210lbs and 6'1" so a 24 spoke wheelset may be a little sketchy
Quite possible. At my weight and riding style I don't run anything less than a 32 spoke wheel. If you are running disc brakes or ride agressively I'd shy away from anything less than a 28 spoke. For me it's not an option. I'd be leary of a 24 in your position. But it does depend allot on how you ride. But most folks at 200+ find low spoke count wheels a bit flexy in most cases.
3. FSA's site says that the wheels accept "shimano" cassettes. I like Sram better.
Shimano and SRAM have the same dimensions. If you can put a shimano cassette on it, a sram will fit as well. There are very few hubs out there that won't work with both off the shelf. And even those that don't all that is usually required to make em work is a small spacer behind the cassette.
If you could push your budget another $60 I'd recommend Hope XC hubs laced to Mavic 717's. http://www.universalcycles.com/shopping/product_details.php?id=5337&category=250 Lighter than the Shimano/717 set, and great quality hubs. I've got a set of Hope XC's laced to Mavic 719 (a bit heavier duty rim) and they still come in just over 1800g, but are still nice and stiff. The Hope/717 wheel should be a bit lighter yet. And they'd be lighter than the Speed Disc Pro wheels, which tip the scales right at 2000g for the set.
If you are stuck to that budget though the XT/717 or the Speed Disc sets would be the way to go IMHO Anyway, your choice, but I'd definately steere clear of a 24 spoke set up at your weight.
Good Dirt
