[matbaugh]

Hi, Matt here. I'm 200 lbs, and not the most skilled rider. I recently bought a Giant HT, and got two Sun Rim DS2's--of which the rear tire is already out of true. This is not necessarily the rim's fault, as I tried riding UP a short set (3) of stairs, however, I recently bought a Giant Trance frame and a new XT Component group (for $600-I'm in China so I'm already building up a new bike (I'm embarrassingly obsessive-compulsive about things I like to do). Anyhow, I don't foresee my skill level getting better at a lightening fast rate, so that, combined with the fact that I'm a heavier guy (200lbs), is confusing me as for a new rim set-up for the new Trance.

I'm more of a XC biker, but I like to jump and hop anything I can right now (which may not be much, but I have been hitting a 2' onto flat concrete, that's about the biggest so far), and since I'm moving to Bolivia next year, I'm hoping to do some free riding, and lite mountain riding. SO, (finally) here's my question: What do you think about a Mavic 321 rear (for strength) and a Mavic 717 front (for lightness?). Will the bike be useless for climbing? Will it be overkill for the stuff I do usually? (free riding, aggressive XC)...
Anyhow, I'm worried about having a 28lb+ bike with the Trance, and was wondering if the rolling weight of the 321 on the rear would REALLY slow me down. Any thoughts on what this semi-Clyde, newbie should do about a wheelset?

Thanks,
Matt

 

[norm]

I have rode the same wheelsets and I weigh 230lbs. The 717 is more of a XC, but it should stand up to light jumping. Try the 819s(tubeless and you can use a regular or ust tire), they are bombproof. The first wheelset that I've had that has stayed true for quite awhile. They are heavier then the 717s/321s, but you are running them tubeless so you would save weight.

 

[matbaugh]

I have rode the same wheelsets and I weigh 230lbs. The 717 is more of a XC, but it should stand up to light jumping. Try the 819s(tubeless and you can use a regular or ust tire), they are bombproof. The first wheelset that I've had that has stayed true for quite awhile. They are heavier then the 717s/321s, but you are running them tubeless so you would save weight.

Do you mean that you have run the 321's rear and the 717 front combo? On what kind of bike? How does it workout? Is it as important to have a front tire that is as strong as the rear?
Thanks for the reply,
Matt

 

[norm]

I've had a 321 wheelset(front and back 321s) and a 717 wheelset(front and back 717). The 819s are the best, but not super light. I don't notice the difference in weight(I guessing about 50 grams per wheel-heavier). But, like I said they have stayed true. Usally the rear tire takes the most abuse. Saying that I have also warped my front many a times.

 

[jaco]

I've had a 321 wheelset(front and back 321s) and a 717 wheelset(front and back 717). The 819s are the best, but not super light. I don't notice the difference in weight(I guessing about 50 grams per wheel-heavier). But, like I said they have stayed true. Usally the rear tire takes the most abuse. Saying that I have also warped my front many a times.

im not sure about weights and categories but ive had a 819 wheelset for a couple of years now with absolutely no problems. im 19lbs and jump everything i can.

 

[Guyechka]

im not sure about weights and categories but ive had a 819 wheelset for a couple of years now with absolutely no problems. im 19lbs and jump everything i can.

Dude, at only 19 lbs, you could use K-mart hoola hoops and not do much damage!

 

[jaco]

Dude, at only 19 lbs, you could use K-mart hoola hoops and not do much damage!

add a zero to that maestro.

 

[Guyechka]

whoa!

321s=570 grams
819s=465 grams

That is a big difference! Almost half a pound on the wheelset! I haven't actually ridden the 819s, but I do know of larger people who use them on FR bikes. Then it comes down to price. 321s=$30 and 819s=$75.

 

[Blue Shorts]

I have a set of 717s and a set of 819s. I definitely notice a big difference in the stiffness of the 819s. I weight 180, btw.

At 200 lbs, the original poster is too heavy to use 717s for jumping and FR. He should stick with the 321s or 819s..... or something else that's stronger than the 717s.

 

[Blue Shorts]

The difference is actually less than a quarter of a pound for the wheelset. The weight that Mavic states for the 819 is without the nipple cups, which you must use. THe 819 actually weighs somewhere between 515 and 550 grams each.

 

[matbaugh]

Would it be possible to put tubes in the 819's? What are the pros and cons of this?

 

[jaco]

Would it be possible to put tubes in the 819's? What are the pros and cons of this?

no problem putting tubes, but that defeats the benefits of ust tech. i put in tubes whenever i get a fixless flat on the trail which rarely ever happens. when using tubes i wouldnt be surprised if you got flats at least once every week of hard riding, specially the rear.

 

[Blue Shorts]

Would it be possible to put tubes in the 819's? What are the pros and cons of this?

I run regular tires with tubes on my 819s all of the time. There is no issue. That's one of the great things about UST rims..... you have a choice.

2 of my current favorite tires are the 2.35 Nevegal and Blue Groove. They don't come in tubeless at that size, so I have to use a tube. I've also run UST Spiders and Loco Lobos on them with great results.

 

[jaco]

I run regular tires with tubes on my 819s all of the time. There is no issue. That's one of the great things about UST rims..... you have a choice.

2 of my current favorite tires are the 2.35 Nevegal and Blue Groove. They don't come in tubeless at that size, so I have to use a tube. I've also run UST Spiders and Loco Lobos on them with great results.

i run schwalbe fat albert 2.25 front and 2.1 nevegals rear. schwalbes rock!
rode spiders for a long time but those are pretty weak imo, get lots of punctures and are no longer ust usable even though the knobbies are still there. great traction, great all round tire otherwise.

 

[kapusta]

Hi, Matt here. I'm 200 lbs, and not the most skilled rider. I recently bought a Giant HT, and got two Sun Rim DS2's--of which the rear tire is already out of true. This is not necessarily the rim's fault, as I tried riding UP a short set (3) of stairs, however, I recently bought a Giant Trance frame and a new XT Component group (for $600-I'm in China so I'm already building up a new bike (I'm embarrassingly obsessive-compulsive about things I like to do). Anyhow, I don't foresee my skill level getting better at a lightening fast rate, so that, combined with the fact that I'm a heavier guy (200lbs), is confusing me as for a new rim set-up for the new Trance.

I'm more of a XC biker, but I like to jump and hop anything I can right now (which may not be much, but I have been hitting a 2' onto flat concrete, that's about the biggest so far), and since I'm moving to Bolivia next year, I'm hoping to do some free riding, and lite mountain riding. SO, (finally) here's my question: What do you think about a Mavic 321 rear (for strength) and a Mavic 717 front (for lightness?). Will the bike be useless for climbing? Will it be overkill for the stuff I do usually? (free riding, aggressive XC)...
Anyhow, I'm worried about having a 28lb+ bike with the Trance, and was wondering if the rolling weight of the 321 on the rear would REALLY slow me down. Any thoughts on what this semi-Clyde, newbie should do about a wheelset?

Thanks,
Matt

From a strength point of view it could make sense to go beefier in the back. If you are only going 2' to flat, then maybe a 321 is a little overkill. However, if you plan on hitting it hard in the future, they may make sense. I always end up with the same rim front and back, but for different reasons. I have a 321 in the back because I needed the strength. I went with a 321 in the front because I wanted a wide rim.

Going from something like a 717 to a 321 you will notice it climbing, but it's not that big of a deal. I went from a set of Velocity VXC's (similar in weight to 717's) to a set of 321's last year and I did notice the bike was less snappy, but it has never stopped me from climbing anything I could with the lighter rims, and I feel the same after a long ride. I'm just not as fast on the climbs and sprints. I do a mix of xc, trail, and some small stunts.. What I mostly noticed was that the wheels feel stiffer, more stable. I don't know if it is because of the rim being stronger or the tire being better supported with the extra rim width, but I really liked the change. Also, my wheels are almost never out of true no matter what I hit.

 

[matbaugh]

Hey, thanks for the reply, I'm only concerned because I'm putting them on a Trance frameset, which already weighs 6.5 lbs--but you don't think it really matters?
Thanks,
Matt