True... but since most of us who want race wheels can't afford the rovals, I think a lot of people are going to end up ditching the stock hub and rebuilding with another 142x12 hub so we don't have to deal with adjustments every time we swap wheels.TurnerConvert said:
If you get the 26" 2011 S-Works Epic then you still have to replace the wheels, even with the high price tag.:eekster:jrob1775 said:
I'm not sure what your point is. You are quoting a conversation about Stumpjumper FSR not EPIC. The wheels that come on the S-Works Epic are incredible whhels! Unfortunately, I.m nt sure they would hold up in the long run under my 200 lbs. I ended up going for Industry Nine XC29 wheels. They should hold up as a dual purpose race/training wheel and give me great performance. Plus the will have a huge bling factor!:thumbsup:WR304 said:
Sorry, the post was #29 from this thread discussing the wheels of the 2011 26" S-Works Epic.jrob1775 said:
Good point, but the "get what you pay for" still holds true. If the Rovals with carbon rims were on the bike, then the price would be higher. You see it many times in the idustry that bikes are down speced from the previous year. This is so there is not as much sticker shock when you see the prices on the new model. Some times inflation climbs quicker than what the product managers think the market will bear. That is when you see down specs. It does not mean you are getting less value. Margins on any retail product have to be at a certain level for a business to sustain itself. If you want to complain about prices, then complain about the economy in general. Just don't do it on a mountain bike forum.WR304 said:Sorry, the post was #29 from this thread discussing the wheels of the 2011 26" S-Works Epic.
http://forums.mtbr.com/showthread.php?t=662755
The point being that the wheels on the 2011 26" S-Works Epic aren't top of the range. They feature alloy Roval rims instead of the carbon fibre Roval rims. The alloy Roval wheels on the 2011 26" S-Works Epic also weigh more than the alloy Roval Control SL wheels which came on the 2009 and 2010 26" S-Works Epic.
If you truly want the lightest top of the range 26" Roval carbon fibre wheels for your 2011 26" S-Works Epic then you have to buy them seperately because they're not standard.
http://www.specialized.com/us/en/bc/SBCEqProduct.jsp?spid=57939
.
I agree with that. I was just pointing out that even the 2011 S-Works bikes aren't immune from cost cutting as they don't necessarily have the best parts as standard.jrob1775 said:Good point, but the "get what you pay for" still holds true. If the Rovals with carbon rims were on the bike, then the price would be higher. You see it many times in the idustry that bikes are down speced from the previous year. This is so there is not as much sticker shock when you see the prices on the new model. Some times inflation climbs quicker than what the product managers think the market will bear. That is when you see down specs. It does not mean you are getting less value. Margins on any retail product have to be at a certain level for a business to sustain itself. If you want to complain about prices, then complain about the economy in general. Just don't do it on a mountain bike forum.
Don't confuse the nomenclature. You're converting a Hope II hub for the X-12 142 through axle. Hope doesn't build a 142+ compatible hub. The "+" being the differentiation here.herothedog said:
Yup. Just pointing it out as an example that they even cost cut on their S-Works models. Granted, SRAM doesn't make a XX chain ring set in the ratio that's been specced for the S-Works 29er.GTR2ebike said:
Once you removed the two 17mm lock nuts on the freehub side, did you have to tap or hammer the axle out? Or remove another locking nut somewhere?Lafawnduh said:Lots of talk about the stock wheels and hubs that come on the Specialized epic 29er. I believe all the models except the S-works is equiped with the same set up. I am not a expert but I think if your spokes are correctly tensioned and relieved the hoops and spokes should give resonalbe service. (don't trust the factory build) The rear hub may need more attention in order to get good longjevity out of it. I took it apart and this is what I found
This is what the axel looks like. It spins on two cartrige bearings
![]()
See below for my experience with the stock hubs. I pretty much only rode gravel roads for the first two months I had the bike because the trails were all snowed in. After a couple of "real" rides, the engagement got even worse than stock (hard to imagine, I know), but only on an intermittent basis. After a couple more rides, there were some funny sounds coming from the rear hub. Took the cassette off and a few large pieces dropped to the floor and a whole lot of ball bearings fell out. Massive disappointment! I as already planning to get new wheels to remedy the engagement issue, but I was shocked to find the thing fell apart within a few hundred miles of easy riding.jrob1775 said:Yeah same here:madman:
I was hoping to get away with the stock wheelset for one season, then upgrade next year when there are more options for 142. With all the talk about these wheels being heavy, weak, and having poor engagement, I'm starting to rethink that strategy.
Does anyone want to buy a stock wheelset...REAL CHEAP???
