The Gravity Cartel - Spank wheels
Fanatik Bike - try their wheel builder!

And yes, it's realistic. Try the wheel builder and see what you can put together. Fanatik will attach a discount when you add it to your cart. The discount seems to vary. I've received around $80 off a full build once.

 

I run the spank 359 with their hex hub and cushcore (was 240 now down to 220)on my stumpjumper. I bought this wheel after nuking the stock rear wheel, these are stronger, stiffer and lighter than the noodles of the stock wheels. I’ve run mine for about a year and a half and have never even had to true them (I ride everything from xc to enduro to flow/jump trails). The hub had a nice buzz and the short engagement is excellent.

My buddy rides the same setup on his spire and is over 300lbs. He had the wheels for two years before I bought mine and never had issues running them in the bike park and local enduros.

if you sign up for emails you can get a discount code also, otherwise they never really drop in price

 

If you’re looking at a custom rear wheel, don’t forget to consider a Hope Pro 5 rear hub!!! Great hub for the money!!

 

Get a Roval Traverse Alloy. Pretty much fits the bill perfectly. DT Swiss 350 hubs, very strong rim. Comes with a lifetime warranty and 2 year crash replacement. Plus they are on sale for under $400 right now if you need just a rear.

 

God no. That won’t last 6 months of tech terrain at speed under a Clyde. Source: me, I’ve broken a few and I’m 50lbs lighter in slower terrain.

 

if you change your mind on the dt350 hub, maybe look at hunt wheels' enduro wide rear wheel or wheelset. they usually have a good sale for black friday if you can wait.

 

Thanks. Great recommendation! Wheelset currently on sale for $450.

 

If you want affordable and durable as hell just buy a Bontrager Line Comp 30 and do the hub upgrade I abuse mine and I’ve never ever even had it trued

 

At 260lbs I'd be looking at a DH rated rim.

There's a wheelbuilder on Pinkbike that I'm pretty sure can hand build you a 32h 350/FR541 with quality j bend spokes within your budget. Think his user name is SD-MTB, he's in San Diego but ships.

The other option I'd look at is the 32h alu SC reserve wheels. Not sure they sell individual wheels, but on the plus side there's what appears to be a great warranty.

 

Hunt email has EXTRA5 for extra 5% on select wheelsets, i dont know which wheelsets qualify.

 

buy used. check pinkbike. I would go with a DH rim at your weight.

 

$525 for the pair. I was 315 lbs (~325 kitted-up) when I started riding the Send I/II combo. I’ve been leaning toward picking up a second set to have as a spare (could use on my FS or HT).

I’ve got 1,000+ miles on them so far and they haven’t been touched/trued.

Blackbird Send 29" Aluminum Wheelset

The Blackbird Send Aluminum wheels are designed to eliminate pinch flats and keep the tire sealed no matter what you hit. The wheelset is made up of a Send 1 rim in the front and a Send 2 rim in the rear. Both rims share a unique hollow box-section beadwall that creates a broad contact point...

store.ibiscycles.com

 

Thanks for the suggestions. I ended up going with the Hunt Enduro Wide wheels. Was able to stack discounts and got the entire set for under $400 plus shipping and tax.

Use WELCOMEHUNT for an additional $50 off.

 

Very happy with the Hunts. Really solid value. A little heavy maybe but I was happy to sacrifice lightness in favor of durability. Impressive hub engagement, too.