[KMan]

Back issues have finally force the sale of my single speed so I thought I might spend some of the money from the sale and finally buy myself a race specific wheelset (disc) for my Turner Flux. Currently have been using King ISO hubs, Sapim CX-Ray spokes, alloy nipples & Mavic 3.1 ust rims (same build on my SS as well). Wheelset has been perfect! Not a single broken spoke, never once had to be trued and is still in perfect true/round. Weight is from what I recall about 1750grams for the set. Been running regular tires with goop.

I weigh 185 lbs, race expert XC and have been (knock on wood) very light on components over the years.

Looks like my best options are:
1. American Classic MTB350 - if I go with Sapim CX-rays weight should be around 1400 grams....but price looks to be about $750

2. Custom build
AMClassic hubs, Stans ZRT Olympic rim, CX-Rays - around same weight as the 350's I am "guessing this set would coust in the neighborhood of $600-$650?????
At my weight am I ok using Stans lighter 345g rim or should I stick with the 385g rim??

Also per http://www.wheelbuilder.com/thumbnail.asp?offset=0&deep=2&cid=129 it looks like the Sapim CX-Rays ($2.10) are less expensive in the US than the DT Swiss Aerolite ($2.75) so the sapims seem the most cost effective choice.

I did a search on the site to get some reviews and found some info, but it seemed to be a bit older.

Any thoughs, suggestions or something I may be way off base with?

Thanks,
KMan

 

[wrinklefree]

You should be able to find the (regular) AM Classic 350 for less

I picked up a set for $350 new on Craigslist. There's an ebay auction going on right now for a brand new set. It's ending in 3 hours with a current price of $255.
http://cgi.ebay.com/American-Classi...ryZ58088QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

I've been running these wheels for a month and love it! They're freakishly light, and came in UNDER the manufactures claimed weight.

1470 grams without skewers.

 

[The SS Boz]

I weigh 185 lbs, race expert XC and have been (knock on wood) very light on components over the years.

Looks like my best options are:
1. American Classic MTB350 - if I go with Sapim CX-rays weight should be around 1400 grams....but price looks to be about $750

2. Custom build
AMClassic hubs, Stans ZRT Olympic rim, CX-Rays - around same weight as the 350's I am "guessing this set would coust in the neighborhood of $600-$650?????
At my weight am I ok using Stans lighter 345g rim or should I stick with the 385g rim??

Also per http://www.wheelbuilder.com/thumbnail.asp?offset=0&deep=2&cid=129 it looks like the Sapim CX-Rays ($2.10) are less expensive in the US than the DT Swiss Aerolite ($2.75) so the sapims seem the most cost effective choice.

I did a search on the site to get some reviews and found some info, but it seemed to be a bit older.

Any thoughs, suggestions or something I may be way off base with?

Thanks,
KMan

Ive built a few sets of mtb wheels myself and im curious why you are going for Bladed spokes? Strength?

i would at least consider a double butted 14/17 or 15/16 and see how the price compares..... it should save ya some money and the weight will be the same or less....

also as im sure you know you can mix up the lacing a bit since this is a race only wheelset and 3x might not be your best option since the set will get limited use....

the key to all the weight saving is using it as RACE only....

And in regard to hubs...yep i found the Am classics to be the claimed lightest....but when i build my new disc set im gonna pop for the DT 240s disc hubs.....good quality and lighter/cheaper than the Kings....also a brand loyalty thing i think cause i got a rolf racing wheelset with DT swiss hubs that have been thru hell and back and still have got some sweet bearings rollin in them

Yep and the ZTR is the lightest rim ive seen

And pop for some bling bling colored alloy nips and your good to go....

just my 2 cents

-Boz

 

[21switchbacks]

There are some Stan's Olympic/AmClassics in the classifieds for $475 (not my ad):

Ad

Not a bad deal, IMO.

 

[Motivated]

overbuilt

If your wheels are that solid they are overbuilt which shoud give you confidence in going lighter.

For XC racing I like:
- Stans Olympic disc front and rear (360g)
- DT supercomp spokes front and rear, 2.0-1.7-2.0 (the lack of eyelets in Stans rim limits the spoke tension meaning Ti and forged spokes don't make sense)
- WTB laserdisclight front hub
- White Industries DJ rear hub with Ti freehub, CK, or newest WTB laserdisclight with better spring plate
- Kapton tape, .25" wide to seal the spoke holes. This stuff is lighter and better than Stan's yellow tape

Back issues have finally force the sale of my single speed so I thought I might spend some of the money from the sale and finally buy myself a race specific wheelset (disc) for my Turner Flux. Currently have been using King ISO hubs, Sapim CX-Ray spokes, alloy nipples & Mavic 3.1 ust rims (same build on my SS as well). Wheelset has been perfect! Not a single broken spoke, never once had to be trued and is still in perfect true/round. Weight is from what I recall about 1750grams for the set. Been running regular tires with goop.

I weigh 185 lbs, race expert XC and have been (knock on wood) very light on components over the years.

Looks like my best options are:
1. American Classic MTB350 - if I go with Sapim CX-rays weight should be around 1400 grams....but price looks to be about $750

2. Custom build
AMClassic hubs, Stans ZRT Olympic rim, CX-Rays - around same weight as the 350's I am "guessing this set would coust in the neighborhood of $600-$650?????
At my weight am I ok using Stans lighter 345g rim or should I stick with the 385g rim??

Also per http://www.wheelbuilder.com/thumbnail.asp?offset=0&deep=2&cid=129 it looks like the Sapim CX-Rays ($2.10) are less expensive in the US than the DT Swiss Aerolite ($2.75) so the sapims seem the most cost effective choice.

I did a search on the site to get some reviews and found some info, but it seemed to be a bit older.

Any thoughs, suggestions or something I may be way off base with?

Thanks,
KMan

 

[-dude-]

stan's rim

I raced the whole MASS series on a front wheel of stan's/ WTB laserdisclight with regular tubes and goo. Mike Garcia built it. I love it. Hub is still smooth as butter, replaced one nipple failure and trued it once during the whole season. Rim is perfectly straight. My race weight is 165-170 lb. I just mailed it back to him to replace all the aluminum nipples (essentially rebuild it) and to service the hubs. I'm also converting the rear to the same set-up and ordered a new Stan's rim for the back to lace onto the WTB rear hub. I find that inflating non-UST tires on his rims is much easier than on the Synergy rim I currently have on the rear.

Also, I've been dealing with the bad back thing. Something about our age I guess. I have a lateral disc herniation compressing my S1 nerve (sciatica) and am in my 11th month. I was able to race through it (the severe pain was only about 2 months last jan/feb). I'm getting a second opinion about surgery next week.

 

[milroy]

Back issues have finally force the sale of my single speed so I thought I might spend some of the money from the sale and finally buy myself a race specific wheelset (disc) for my Turner Flux. Currently have been using King ISO hubs, Sapim CX-Ray spokes, alloy nipples & Mavic 3.1 ust rims (same build on my SS as well). Wheelset has been perfect! Not a single broken spoke, never once had to be trued and is still in perfect true/round. Weight is from what I recall about 1750grams for the set. Been running regular tires with goop.

I weigh 185 lbs, race expert XC and have been (knock on wood) very light on components over the years.

Looks like my best options are:
1. American Classic MTB350 - if I go with Sapim CX-rays weight should be around 1400 grams....but price looks to be about $750

2. Custom build
AMClassic hubs, Stans ZRT Olympic rim, CX-Rays - around same weight as the 350's I am "guessing this set would coust in the neighborhood of $600-$650?????
At my weight am I ok using Stans lighter 345g rim or should I stick with the 385g rim??

Also per http://www.wheelbuilder.com/thumbnail.asp?offset=0&deep=2&cid=129 it looks like the Sapim CX-Rays ($2.10) are less expensive in the US than the DT Swiss Aerolite ($2.75) so the sapims seem the most cost effective choice.

I did a search on the site to get some reviews and found some info, but it seemed to be a bit older.

Any thoughs, suggestions or something I may be way off base with?

Thanks,
KMan

I went for the Stans Olympic Rims and they have been fine. I liked the idea of running tubeless without a rimstrip. However, I built them to DT Swiss 240s hubs. They are close in weight to the Am Classic hubs but hopefully, more reliable.

I am about the same weight as you and my regular wheel is similar to yours but with XTR hubs. Its a good strong wheelset but a little over built for racing. In comparison, I certainly notice flex in my race wheels but the accelaration difference is amazing.

 

[Some Guy]

Go the AmClassics. US$750 doesn't sound right, I paid AU$530 (with sapim spokes). You might have to settle for regular spokes, but you should be able to find it for a heap less than US$750.

 

[CulBaire]

Stans

I have been talking to the Aussie distributer of Stans rims- and I am getting him to build me up a wheelset using the No-Tubes rims and Am-Classic hubs for endurance racing. I too weigh around 185lbs and he reckons they will be fine; he should know as he is also 185lbs and races Solo quiet successfully in Australia on a similar wheelset.

Personally I think the Stans rims are a better idea- less weight, cheaper- no need for rimstrips just tape and apparently they are quiet strong.

 

[Some Guy]

Stans rims have less weight than what? The Amclassics? AFAIK the AmClassic rims are actually a few grams lighter. They look heaps cooler too .

 

[CulBaire]

Stans rims have less weight than what? The Amclassics? AFAIK the AmClassic rims are actually a few grams lighter. They look heaps cooler too .

Sorry I should have been more specific- the Stans Wheelset will be lighter- if you are running tubeless, as you dont need the full rimstrip as on the American Classic wheels.