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Help me build a sweet wheelset

3K views 33 replies 15 participants last post by  gateCrasher 
#1 ·
I'm going to order a set of Chris King Iso Disc hubs(Navy) and need ideas for the rims, spokes and nipples. These wheels will race and trail ride and are going on my new Mojo. I want tubeless rims also.
 
#3 ·
If you want UST tubeless Mavic 819's would be a good, yet somewhat heavy choise. You could go with a DT Swiss 4.2 with their tubeless kit, might weigh less than the 819's, but seams more kludgy.

If you really want UST tubeless I'd get a new set of Crossmax SL(R), supposedly the freehub has been improved for faster takeup and better reliability. Sure they are very expensive, but so are Kings. If cost is a factor, consider getting them online from some place like chainreactioncycles.com, they have smoking prices.
 
#4 ·
4212darren said:
I'm going to order a set of Chris King Iso Disc hubs(Navy) and need ideas for the rims, spokes and nipples. These wheels will race and trail ride and are going on my new Mojo. I want tubeless rims also.
I don't know anything about tubless rims but I built up my top-flite wheels a couple of years ago based on King Iso hubs. I went with DT-Swiss rims and they are nice. Aslo I used Sapim CX-Ray spokes ($$, but so are your hubs) and aluminum nipples. I'm close to 200 lbs and the alum nipples are just fine.
 
#5 · (Edited)
Aren't the Crossmax wheels considered "wheel systems" , ie, impossible to replace hubs,etc? What about the serviceability? I considered them also..there are some in the classified section at a real good price. I'd want to find out more about the warranty on them - does it transfer with ownership? How long is it? I know that the CK hubs have a 5 year warranty. That's pretty good.
 
#6 ·
I'm riding Crossmax SL's now. They are all right but I'm going for the dream build and the Red SLR hubs won't cut it. I saw some I-9 wheels that had Blue spokes but Siver hubs and I would like Blue spokes and Blue hubs but will probably settle for Blue hub Black spokes and rims.
 
#7 ·
#8 ·
Best bang for the buck?

I'm building up a Motolite Exogrid for a display/demo bike.
Keeping in mind that I get EP or wholeale pricing, what wheelset offers the best bling/weight/function factor? I have to sell them before the end of the season, so popularity is a factor.
I9's take too long to get.
Mavic Crossmax SLR are available and look great. Same for new XTR.
American Classic are light and affordable, but add no color to the ti/carbon frame.
Stan's is building wheels now. Various hubs to choose from.
Chris King, too noisy and common.
Cane Creek, or build my own with red Hope Pro II-another possibility.
I'm fond of red accents on titanium.

So?
 
#12 ·
SSINGA said:
I9's are worth the wait. They are more than just eye-candy. :thumbsup:
Where's a good place to buy an I-9? I'm not in a big hurry because it's winter and I have my Crossmax's to ride on in the meantime. I saw somewhere that you can custom order colors and I NEED Blue hubs and spokes!
 
#13 ·
In all honesty,
Save yourself time and money and get a set of CrossMax or Cane Creek Zonos. IMHO they're better than anything you or anyone else can build for the money.

If you've never built a wheel before then I can tell you it's lot of sitting and spinning till you get the wheel perfect and they still won't look as nice as those. If you don't mind the work then go for it.

Also,
I've heard CK hubs are overrated for the money. If you're still intent on going that route, then might I recommend the Mavic XC717 (This was what I built my wheel with). If you're planning to go tubeless Mavic 819 would be my choice.

For spoke you probably want to go with the DT Revolution and aluminum nipples.

edit: oh wait you're going to the I9... niiiice :) :thumbsup:
 
#14 ·
Bikerbob.com said:
I'm building up a Motolite Exogrid for a display/demo bike.
Keeping in mind that I get EP or wholeale pricing, what wheelset offers the best bling/weight/function factor? I have to sell them before the end of the season, so popularity is a factor.
I9's take too long to get.
Mavic Crossmax SLR are available and look great. Same for new XTR.
American Classic are light and affordable, but add no color to the ti/carbon frame.
Stan's is building wheels now. Various hubs to choose from.
Chris King, too noisy and common.
Cane Creek, or build my own with red Hope Pro II-another possibility.
I'm fond of red accents on titanium.

So?
Bob,

I envy you sooooo much. :D
 
#16 ·
Becane73 said:
In all honesty,
Save yourself time and money and get a set of CrossMax or Cane Creek Zonos. IMHO they're better than anything you or anyone else can build for the money.
I completely disagree with that statement. There are plenty of choices out there that function better and last longer than the CrossMax. A good wheel builder (Like Larry at Mtn High) could definately build a longer lasting and better working wheel for the same cost as the Mavics also.

That said, the I9's are so friggin sweet. Ultra stiff with super fast engagement. There is no flex in these wheels and when you stomp the pedals they go. Durability has been great on my set I've been running since early spring of 06. No issues what-so-ever.

DId I mention how sweet they look? Even in all black they are works of art. :thumbsup:
 
#18 · (Edited)
4212darren said:
Where's a good place to buy an I-9? I'm not in a big hurry because it's winter and I have my Crossmax's to ride on in the meantime. I saw somewhere that you can custom order colors and I NEED Blue hubs and spokes!
I ordered mine from Chad at Red Barn bicycles.........He's the guy who made Foshizzle's CUSTOM I-9 wheelset (literally, only guy I know outside of I-9 that has done a complete wheelbuild outside of the I-9 building)........In fact a guy on the Deals forum just checked 10 places and ended up ordering from Chad( on my recommendation)........I ordered mine just before Christmas and they showed up at his door last week(hasn't shipped to me yet as I added more goods Fri and today......international order so I only want 1 big box).

Chad knows his wheelbuilds and to alleviate any of my doubts he had me talk to Jeff at I-9 as well.......Jeff Knows his Sh$T.......they literally put together something for all of my needs, not just a standard wheelset (enduro hub to DT4.2......I'm a fan of DT's tubeless system)........here's a pic of the wheels on Chad's workbench(bugger sends me porn....the tease) and cause this is a international purchase......He even rechecked all the tensions for me and inspected before repacking (better said then some other dealers who reforward the delivery box to ya)

My second choice would be Larry at Mt. Highcyclery........good guy, decent prices, but another great wheelbuilder who knows his sh*t.
 

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#20 ·
4212darren said:
What do they weigh?
If you go DT 4.1 to allmountain hubset..........1640 grams
If you go DT4.2 to all mountain hubset..........1590 grams
If you go ultralite wheelset (Stans 355 rim, 0.9 spokes, 3 pawl hubset, al endcaps).......1350 grams.......but this is primarily only a XC racer wheelset.
If you go Mavic 819 add about 100 grams
That set is DT4.2 to Enduro set so back to 1650 grams(optional Thru axle 20 or 24)

Use 0.9 spokes save 80 grams
Add Al end cap option save 40 grams

With I-9 the world is your oyster, pick a color, lighten/strengthen the hubset, pick a rim, whatever, they'll do anything for a price...........
 
#21 ·
pvd said:
oh my god! are you kidding? sure, he tells you the basics for building a really heavy set of touring wheels, but not light high performance wheels.

that book is responsible for far too many heavy wheels being built.
Sure; maybe so. But you think this is good wheelbuilding advice? I'd rather have a somewhat heavier wheel that I'd trust vs. a lighter one built by someone who doesn't check any spoke tension other than this......

pvd said:
tension the spokes until you think that the nipples are just about to fail.
 
#22 ·
TiEndo said:
If you go DT 4.1 to allmountain hubset..........1640 grams
If you go DT4.2 to all mountain hubset..........1590 grams
If you go ultralite wheelset (Stans 355 rim, 0.9 spokes, 3 pawl hubset, al endcaps).......1350 grams.......but this is primarily only a XC racer wheelset.
If you go Mavic 819 add about 100 grams
That set is DT4.2 to Enduro set so back to 1650 grams(optional Thru axle 20 or 24)

Use 0.9 spokes save 80 grams
Add Al end cap option save 40 grams

With I-9 the world is your oyster, pick a color, lighten/strengthen the hubset, pick a rim, whatever, they'll do anything for a price...........
Good answer!

Where can a guy find the options? I was thinking around 1600 grams would be good. I'm going to race but I'm also going to use them as everyday wheels.
 
#23 ·
4212darren said:
Good answer!

Where can a guy find the options? I was thinking around 1600 grams would be good. I'm going to race but I'm also going to use them as everyday wheels.
Look on their website.....or Talk to Jeff at I-9 directly with your concerns and wishes.....then go to your dealer with Jeff's and yours wheelbuild to get the price....(that's what I did with Chad.......and he prices nicely;) )
 
#25 ·
4212darren said:
Bit the bullet, ordered my I-9's with the 4.2 rim. I'll post pics when she starts to come together...I can't hardly freakin wait!
Congrats......I saw your other post there about the color......Gonna be amazing.......Where'd you order from in the end??? And are they gonna be light enough for your intent and purpose:thumbsup:
 
#26 ·
4212darren said:
Bit the bullet, ordered my I-9's with the 4.2 rim. I'll post pics when she starts to come together...I can't hardly freakin wait!
Darren, that sounds like a pretty wicked wheelset.

I just sent my Chris King hubs to Larry at Mountain High Cyclery. I'm getting him to mount my silver hubs to a pair of Mavic 819's. Not as flashy as yours but I really wanted UST. :)
 
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