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Light Bicycle Wheelset Purchase

3516 Views 15 Replies 8 Participants Last post by JohnWhiteCD, Feb 9, 2022

JohnWhiteCD

Discussion Starter · Feb 7, 2022 (Edited)

I’m seriously considering a new wheelset from Light Bicycle. I was hoping to get some feedback from users. (It is difficult to search for “Light Bicycle” with any specification here.)

Interested in the AM930S rim, 32 hole, with DT240 hubs and Sapim D-light spokes.

I’m under the impression this rim model is new, so just casting a net with the possibility that someone here has used it. It seems to check the boxes for a wide, but lower weight asymetrical rim.

In addition, I have a technical question or two:
Shimano Microspline (Edit- Not ”XD”. Wrote that incorrectly.) Freehub Driver is for Shimano 12 speed cassette, correct? Seems obvious, but so many changes in the industry…
Also-
Any reason to hold out for straight pull hubs in my size (157 Super Boost)?
Any reason to hold out for Centerlock hubs for my size?
(I’d prefer these two options, but far from deal breakers.)

Thanks,
John

1 - 16 of 16 Posts

jabrabu

· #2 · Feb 7, 2022

No, Shimano 12-speed is MicroSpline. XD is SRAM. There is no such thing as Shimano XD.

I personally see no reason to hold out for straight pull or for centerlock. I don't think either one matters much.

JohnWhiteCD

Discussion Starter · #3 · Feb 7, 2022

Yes, of course. I did write that incorrectly. I’ll edit the question. Thank you for clarifying nonetheless!
Yes, regarding the hub options. I guess it really doesn’t matter much. I only thought that if I were to invest in this purchase I would want it exactly just so.

eb1888

· #4 · Feb 8, 2022

AM930 Carbon MTB Rim - Light Bicycle

AM930 - 29" 30 wide int 25 deep mtb rims are designed to tame all the trails. Weighs 440g only! Light, stiff, responsive, and durable. For 2.2"~2.7” tires.

www.lightbicycle.com

Doesn't appear 'new' to me. It's not asym, 18mm lower height or have wide beads to combat pinch flats.

You may want to look at BTLOS as a comparable wheel build.

btlos.com

29er 30mm inner width All mountain Enduro shallow carbon wheels - Btlos Bicycle

29er 30mm inner width All mountain Enduro shallow carbon wheels, shallow wheels 30mm internal width combined with shallow, 18 depth and asymmetric design to create a stable, lightweight rim with forgiving ride qualities.

btlos.com

Reactions: 1

JohnWhiteCD

Discussion Starter · #5 · Feb 8, 2022

Thanks eb1888, but that link is actually a different rim altogether. The one I’m interested in is the 930S. With an “S” at the end. I can see where that may be confusing.
Though BTLOS seems like a good option as well, they don’t offer any hubs I’m interested in with the size I need.

ungod

· #6 · Feb 8, 2022

Everything I've read is that the straight pull spokes are a solution in search of a problem. J-bend spokes are actually stronger.

Keep in mind that many companies don't make center lock rotors. If you're just using a standard Shimano or SRAM brake set then you'll be fine either way. Generally I think center lock is viewed as a negative if you go to resell later too.

Reactions: 1

JohnWhiteCD

Discussion Starter · #7 · Feb 8, 2022 (Edited)

ungod said:
Everything I've read is that the straight pull spokes are a solution in search of a problem. J-bend spokes are actually stronger.
Keep in mind that many companies don't make center lock rotors. If you're just using a standard Shimano or SRAM brake set then you'll be fine either way. Generally I think center lock is viewed as a negative if you go to resell later too.

Yes, thanks. They do, of course, scream “new”. I guess new isn’t always better.
Haven‘t really decided on a rotor quite yet. Probably just go with the Shimano to match my brakes. I have seen a few after market rotors, however, that are quoted to be a fair bit lighter.

cassieno

· #8 · Feb 8, 2022

I would get those rims because they are wavy. Look at that fancy wave!

AM930S Carbon MTB Rim - Light Bicycle

AM930S - 29er 30 wide int 25 deep mtb rims are designed to tame all the trails. The Flyweight style comes in at 350g per rim only. Light, compliant, and durable. For 2.2"~2.7” tires.

www.lightbicycle.com

I view Light Bicycle as a "do I want to try carbon?" company. Their warranty sucks -> at your expense you ship back a wheel. For maybe a 10% discount on a new rim (shipping eats away at all that immediately). I ordered 6 rims from them. One failed in what looks like a manufacturing defect. The other 4 have been fine. But, no feedback on that specific rim.

Straight pull - no
Center lock - I personally like it a ton. But, I have a tendency to strip things . However, I have never had an issue with 6 bolt. And I would take it over waiting any day. Ill be cursing centerlock if I ever have an issue with my rotor on the trail or on a trip and I forget to bring the appropriate tools.

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ungod

· #9 · Feb 8, 2022

JohnWhiteCD said:
Yes, thanks. They do, of course, scream “new”. I guess new isn’t always better.
Haven‘t really decided on a rotor quite yet. Probably just go with the Shimano to match my breaks. I have seen a few after market rotors, however, that are quoted to be a fair bit lighter.

Sounds like you'll be fine on the rotor side of things. Shimano and SRAM both use a 1.8mm rotor and you can mix and match to your hearts content, even with aftermarket stuff. Where you run into issues is with some of the brakes like Hayes and Magura (I think) that are running 2.0-2.2mm thick rotors. I haven't seen those in center lock, although they may exist.

edubfromktown

· #10 · Feb 8, 2022

I built a LB wheel set (with brass nipples and DT comp spokes, 3 cross pattern) back in 2014. It has been through many rock gardens, rooty trails, mud slop races (that went off rain or shine), repeated water dunking, staircases and now going on my gravel bike. Nothing wrong with them at all imo

Nextie makes nice hoops too; I built up an offset wheel set of those ~4 years ago. Shimano IceTech rotors work great for me (as do the two piston 8020 and 9020 brakes).

JillRide45

· #11 · Feb 8, 2022

I have purchased at least 8 wheel sets from Light Bicycle, 3 from Nextie , and 2 from BYLOS. Light Bicycle was by far the best to deal with. For me the Nextie rim weights came out way over weight, and they really did not care. BTLOS took longer and less communication, but wheelset was OK. We have never had a problem with any wheelset from Light Bicycle and would definitely consider buying from them again if the need arises.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

JohnWhiteCD

Discussion Starter · #12 · Feb 8, 2022

ungod said:
Sounds like you'll be fine on the rotor side of things. Shimano and SRAM both use a 1.8mm rotor and you can mix and match to your hearts content, even with aftermarket stuff. Where you run into issues is with some of the brakes like Hayes and Magura (I think) that are running 2.0-2.2mm thick rotors. I haven't seen those in center lock, although they may exist.

Yes, thanks. I saw the specs as 1.8mm, but didn’t know enough to ensure to match it. I would imagine one can go thinner, but not thicker? Either way I’ll make sure the new rotors are 1.8!
I saw these recently Galfer Wave MTB Disc Brake Rotor | Jenson USA
Thought they looked pretty sexy, but couldn’t find much info on them. Still, a little lighter and little less expensive than the XT.

JohnWhiteCD

Discussion Starter · #13 · Feb 8, 2022

edubfromktown said:
I built a LB wheel set …
Shimano IceTech rotors work great for me (as do the two piston 8020 and 9020 brakes).

Great story about the wheelset. I did 5 years on my previous carbon wheelset (Niner) and have never once trued them or checked spoke tension. Absolutely perfect still. I’m completely sold.

Have read good things about the IceTech rotors as well. Evidently they (or is it the XTR) have some type of unique cooling property (I guess that’s why they call them IceTech?). I typically don’t have any particularly long descents, however.

JohnWhiteCD

Discussion Starter · #14 · Feb 8, 2022

JillRide45 said:
I have purchased… and would definitely consider buying from them again if the need arises...

Good feedback! So far I’ve had excellent communication with the North American branch.
Still, this rim model seems fairly new so I was hoping for some beta. I may just push the button regardless.

Carlin

· #15 · Feb 8, 2022

JohnWhiteCD said:
Yes, thanks. I saw the specs as 1.8mm, but didn’t know enough to ensure to match it. I would imagine one can go thinner, but not thicker? Either way I’ll make sure the new rotors are 1.8!
I saw these recently Galfer Wave MTB Disc Brake Rotor | Jenson USA
Thought they looked pretty sexy, but couldn’t find much info on them. Still, a little lighter and little less expensive than the XT.

I run Magura Storm HC rotors (2.0mm) on several bikes with various SRAM brakes and they work fine. Perhaps a bit more finicky to get the calipers centered but they do their job well and I like the feel.

I have also purchased several sets of rims from Light, though not the AM930S, and they have been great to work with all around. Quick to reply to questions, shipped on time, and all have come in exactly as spec'd. I haven't had to deal with any warranty issues so no feedback there.

JohnWhiteCD

Discussion Starter · #16 · Feb 9, 2022

Carlin said:
I run Magura Storm HC rotors (2.0mm) on several bikes with various SRAM brakes and they work fine. Perhaps a bit more finicky to get the calipers centered but they do their job well and I like the feel.

Truth be told, I’m just now new to 180mm rotors and four piston brakes. They’re definitely stronger than my old 160/ two piston set, but I can’t say I ever had an issue stopping on those. Probably will stay with the 1.8’s in order not to experience any rub.

1 - 16 of 16 Posts

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