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New and wanting lighter wheel set

1078 Views 17 Replies 8 Participants Last post by boomn, Jul 28, 2009

ctaggart

Discussion Starter · Jul 1, 2009

I apologize if this had been beaten to death but I just picked up a Nashbar SS 29er. The bike is listed at 26 lbs and I was wanting to lighten it up a bit. Figured a new wheel set would give me the best weight reduction for the $$

I have been mtn biking for quite some years now, but this is my first SS and I don't know squat about components.

My spending limit is $400 on new wheels. Could you please suggest a specific brand/model that would save me some weight? This bike will be primarily a trail runner.

I appreciate the help and this looks like a great forum with a wealth of knowledge.

Thanks!
ctaggart

EDIT: The wheels on the bike now are Alex 29" DM18 w/ Stainless 14Ga. Spokes. I am unsure of the weight.

1 - 18 of 18 Posts

Schmucker

· #2 · Jul 1, 2009

Need more info. Freehub or freewheel? What is your riding style and weight?

Schmucker

· #3 · Jul 1, 2009

What's your weight and riding style?

kramerj

· #4 · Jul 1, 2009

for less than 400 you might want to take a look at these

http://www.pricepoint.com/detail/16...rts/Maddux-Explorer-Disc-T2-29er-Wheelset.htm

or in white

http://www.pricepoint.com/detail/18...ddux-Explorer-Disc-T2-Wheelset-29er-White.htm

The White colored ones are more expensive and weigh a little bit more presumably because of the paint.

They are kind of a no name brand but i've been riding them for the last year on my rigid singlespeed and i'm pretty happy/impressed with them especially for the price.

you'll have to get a cog and spacer set as well if your current wheels are SS specific.

HTH

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kbollox

· #5 · Jul 1, 2009

Also take a look at what tires you are running. You might be able to shave quite a bit off with some lighter tires.

ctaggart

Discussion Starter · #6 · Jul 1, 2009

My weight is 185 and I ride Hard. I don't know the difference between freewheel and freehub.

ctaggart

Discussion Starter · #7 · Jul 1, 2009

kramerj said:
for less than 400 you might want to take a look at these

http://www.pricepoint.com/detail/16...rts/Maddux-Explorer-Disc-T2-29er-Wheelset.htm

or in white

http://www.pricepoint.com/detail/18...ddux-Explorer-Disc-T2-Wheelset-29er-White.htm

The White colored ones are more expensive and weigh a little bit more presumably because of the paint.

They are kind of a no name brand but i've been riding them for the last year on my rigid singlespeed and i'm pretty happy/impressed with them especially for the price.

you'll have to get a cog and spacer set as well if your current wheels are SS specific.

HTH

Do you know if that first set is compatable with rim brakes? I don't see that mentioned anywhere and that's what I'll be running.

kramerj

· #8 · Jul 1, 2009

the wheels at pricepoint are disc only

rojogonzo

· #9 · Jul 1, 2009

http://cgi.ebay.com/29er-Single-Speed-Wheel-Set-DT-Swiss-rims-Paul-Hubs_W0QQitemZ310150210724QQcmdZViewItemQQptZCycling_Parts_Accessories?hash=item483664a4a4&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14&_trkparms=65%3A12|66%3A2|39%3A1|72%3A1205|293%3A1|294%3A50

Doggity

· #10 · Jul 4, 2009

For less than $400, you can have Mike Garcia of OddsandEndos or Mike Curiak of BigWheels build you a set, with your weight, bike, riding style and intended usuage in mind. Either one I would recommend, and would do you way better than a factory made set.

ctaggart

Discussion Starter · #11 · Jul 4, 2009

Doggity said:
For less than $400, you can have Mike Garcia of OddsandEndos or Mike Curiak of BigWheels build you a set, with your weight, bike, riding style and intended usuage in mind. Either one I would recommend, and would do you way better than a factory made set.

Just contacted Curiak with an order. Looks like he's pretty passionate about cycling and wheel building. Can't wait to see what he comes up with.

Doggity

· #12 · Jul 5, 2009

ctaggart said:
Just contacted Curiak with an order. Looks like he's pretty passionate about cycling and wheel building. Can't wait to see what he comes up with.

Good! Let us know what he comes up with. I'm still just breaking in the set he built for my D440. Think he knows 29er wheels about as good as anybody on the planet.

ctaggart

Discussion Starter · #13 · Jul 5, 2009

I will give a write up once I have them. I listed my budget at $450. I hope this isn't an offensive figure.

Doggity

· #14 · Jul 5, 2009

ctaggart said:
I will give a write up once I have them. I listed my budget at $450. I hope this isn't an offensive figure.

Oh, hell no. He made me up a nice set of wheels for $330. They're not the end all, high end wheels a lot of folks like, but they serve my purpose very well.:thumbsup:

ctaggart

Discussion Starter · #15 · Jul 8, 2009

Ok so I knew this would happen. I overshot my budget. But hey, the way I see it is that this is what I love doing and it keeps me in shape. Went with Hope Pro 2 SS hubs. I'll post the wheels when I get 'em.

ctaggart

Discussion Starter · #16 · Jul 28, 2009 (Edited)

4

Wheels arrived today! Bontrager rims with hope pro 2 ss hubs. My first impressions are good on these wheels. I only had time mount the wheels and ride to work. I'm at work still (until 6 am) so I got a quick minute to post. No pics right now because I'm on my iPhone.

The wheels are definately lighter than my stock ones, by how much, I do not know. No scale here. I ordered the wheels to be used with quick release skewers which were not included. I expected them to be, so I just borrowed some off the cannondale for now. It doesn't appear that I am able to use the tensioner that came with the bike....so I had to just pull the wheel tight and latch the quick release. I don't have as much tension as I would like on the chain. We'll see if I can get that tensioner to work. I am a little nervous without it. (the stock hub was bolt on, btw)

Ok so after I got the wheels all mounted I hopped on. Wow is this hub LOUD! I hope I can get used to it. It sounds like a wicked loud ratcheting action. I was almost embarassed on my way to work. I can notice the weight reduction and this new hub definately picks up faster than the old one. So the first impressions are good with the exception of the noise. Maybe I will get used to it and maybe I will even learn to like it. Only time will tell.

The bottom line here is that I got a nice set of custom wheels for my bike and that makes me a happy boy.

Edit: some pics (from the iPhone..not the best of quality)

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farrisw1

· #17 · Jul 28, 2009

Any issues with QR skewers on the track fork ends?

boomn

· #18 · Jul 28, 2009

ctaggart, the Surly Tuggnut tensioner comes with a washer for using a QR skewer. Another cool new option is our own ISuckAtRiding's tensioners, which I have but have not been able to try yet

I've used a QR wheel with my Surly tensioner for the last 8 months without a problem.

1 - 18 of 18 Posts

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