[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

 

[cherrybomber]

hey Matt!

321 should be fine front and rear. i know of a lot of clyde's who use it for all mountain use.

if you are going to be jumping off stuff i dont suggest going anything below that until you get some finesse

personally i prefer rhinolites for toughness and relatively decent weight for all mountain use. but use the 521s fro freeride.

not too familliar with the 717s tho.

btw im about 220.

 

[Condor]

Unless you like walking in your cleats

avoid the 717 on the front. They are too light for your weight on anything more than reasonably smooth trails. You can go lighter than the 321 on the front but I wouldn't unless you are racing. It is like blowing through red lights in a car. You'll get away with it for a while but sooner or later bad things will happen. Good sturdy equipment will keep you riding more and hiking less, plus parts availability might not be great in La Paz.
Have fun,

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

 

[j77]

My do it all mountain wheelset

Mavic 729 on the front, 321 on the rear, XT hubs with bolt on axles + track nuts in place of the QRs, and minimum 2.3" tires. Not a lightweight weelset but after a year of constant trail riding with everything from rock gardens, 6' drops, lots of aggressive XC and 25+ mile epic rides they are arrow straight. (they are on a 36+ pound XL Spec. Enduro - I dont think about wheight when choosing components) I am a bit over 200# with gear and consider myself a pretty smooth rider but I do tend to choose the path-of-most-resistance when riding and as such I am pretty hard on my gear . This wheelset has performed flawlessly. . .

The only place I really see a negative difference compared to my riding buddies is when riding is on relatively level terrain when the extra drag of wide tires and higher rotational mass wears on me. But most of my rides are lots of steep up, followed by lots of steep down so its not really a problem for me. I can hang with the (back) of the XC pack on the climbs, but I am always out front on the way down!

From your description it seems your looking for a Clyde-worthy, FR / All mountain, weight weenie, ride-em and forget-em wheelset, for a sub-28# bike. To me this seems like a pipe dream! Just buy some heavy duty wheels and they will make you a stronger rider up hill, and a lot faster on the downhills (if its really All Mountain set-up youre looking for).

 

[Heckled]

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

I've got a set of rhynolite with xt hubs and love em, but I have been riding a set of 717 xt for 2 years without needing to true them. I am 6'3" and 240, I have been on every kind of trail, from porc rim to fruita to the ozarks to WI and Mich. As long as they are well built(by hand) They can stand up to anything.

 

[The MOMO]

im about 225lbs and i ride aggressive xc on an s-works ht i have used mavic 719's for the last few years front and rear with no problems, just make sure you get a good wheel builder to put the wheels together and you should be alright.