[MTB_Lifer]

Hello Everyone,

I intend my new frame to have 12x148 thru axle in the rear.

I found what I believe to be an excellent deal on wheels but it only comes with 12x142. (I'm going to delay going the custom wheelset route until later in the spring)

I know there are various spacers out there. My question is, does anyone have first-hand experience with them?

Thanks very much in advance.

 

[006_007]

Hello Everyone,

I intend my new frame to have 12x148 thru axle in the rear.

I found what I believe to be an excellent deal on wheels but it only comes with 12x142. (I'm going to delay going the custom wheelset route until later in the spring)

I know there are various spacers out there. My question is, does anyone have first-hand experience with them?

Thanks very much in advance.

Yes I have had first hand experience with various spacers.

 

[Loll]

They work ok. Taking wheel off, you need to be careful not to lose the spacers mid ride. Is kind of a pain imo combined with the fine spacing tolerance of disc brakes.

but then again, with tubeless set up, is not that often that you have to take the rear wheel off. I switch between wheels sometimes and the hassle usually tells me to stick with the wheel I have on at the moment.

 

[MTB_Lifer]

They work ok. Taking wheel off, you need to be careful not to lose the spacers mid ride. Is kind of a pain imo combined with the fine spacing tolerance of disc brakes.

but then again, with tubeless set up, is not that often that you have to take the rear wheel off. I switch between wheels sometimes and the hassle usually tells me to stick with the wheel I have on at the moment.

Maybe I should carry a few extra spacers in my tool kit just in case.

 

[MTB_Lifer]

They work ok. Taking wheel off, you need to be careful not to lose the spacers mid ride. Is kind of a pain imo combined with the fine spacing tolerance of disc brakes.

but then again, with tubeless set up, is not that often that you have to take the rear wheel off. I switch between wheels sometimes and the hassle usually tells me to stick with the wheel I have on at the moment.

Did you have to re-dish your wheel?

 

[blcman]

You don't need to. It depends on the tire clearance on the right side. If it doesn't rub I'd just run it as is.
One thing you need to take into consideration is the rotor spacing. The kits I've used always come with a rotor spacer
and longer bolts!

 

[MTB_Lifer]

You don't need to. It depends on the tire clearance on the right side. If it doesn't rub I'd just run it as is.
One thing you need to take into consideration is the rotor spacing. The kits I've used always come with a rotor spacer
and longer bolts!

Good info.

Thanks!

 

[juice]

Spacers can be designed to re-dish, or not. I MUCH prefer the ones that require a re-dish as it puts your cassette in the exact spot it was designed, instead of shifted slightly inward.

I did this in a Hope Pro 2 Evo hub. The Hope brand kit sucked, no re-dish required, shifting was never quite right once I jumped up to 12 speed. Was tolerable with 11 speed. I replaced it with a WolfTooth kit that required the re-dish, and shifting has been perfect.

 

[Christopher Robin]

What kind of hubs are on this wheelset you're getting?

I've used the spacers that go on each end and they worked okay. You just have to adjust the limit screws on your derailleur because your cassette will be further away. Any little kit you get will usually come with a rotor spacer.

I'm currently using the kit from Wolftooth on my I9 hub. Still uses a spacer for the rotor but instead of spacers on each end of the axle, they made a hub cap that converts the hub from 142 to 148. Much cleaner I think. I had to get the wheel re-dished a bit but it centered the rim over the flanges so I feel the spoke tension is a little more equal.

 

[BrianRidesBikes]

Hello Everyone,

I intend my new frame to have 12x148 thru axle in the rear.

I found what I believe to be an excellent deal on wheels but it only comes with 12x142. (I'm going to delay going the custom wheelset route until later in the spring)

I know there are various spacers out there. My question is, does anyone have first-hand experience with them?

Thanks very much in advance.

I have 2 wheelsets with spacers only because they were $$$ and incompatible with new my new frame. They work fine but I would recommend holding out for boost spaced hubs given the choice.
Two tips if you go the spacer route, 1) use a small amount of glue to attach the axle spacer to keep from losing it and 2) redish the wheel to center. It's easier than you may think.

 

[MTB_Lifer]

What kind of hubs are on this wheelset you're getting?

I've used the spacers that go on each end and they worked okay. You just have to adjust the limit screws on your derailleur because your cassette will be further away. Any little kit you get will usually come with a rotor spacer.

I'm currently using the kit from Wolftooth on my I9 hub. Still uses a spacer for the rotor but instead of spacers on each end of the axle, they made a hub cap that converts the hub from 142 to 148. Much cleaner I think. I had to get the wheel re-dished a bit but it centered the rim over the flanges so I feel the spoke tension is a little more equal.

Neuvation hubs on their rims.

I had a great experience with his road wheels. It's too bad he doesn't offer 148.

Next spring, I plan having a custom set built. I'm interested in the new XTR hubs with the silent tech but am going to wait for real-world reviews to come in. 'Til then I just want a very good budget set for winter miles.