REVIEWS DEALS BIKESHOPS TRAILS

What Wheel is Better for XC on a Hardtail

2162 Views 5 Replies 5 Participants Last post by Grinchy8, Oct 30, 2021

rgmgarcia

Discussion Starter · Oct 29, 2021

I am thinking of upgrading the wheels on my Specialized Chisel Hardtail. I have 3 options lined up.
-Hunt Race XC Wide Wheels Alloy
-Spank Vibrocore 359 Alloy
-Light Bicycle XC925 Carbon

Basically the riding I do is mostly XC type with a bit of nasty descending thrown in from time to time but nothing crazy. I Want to race XC but also want to choose a wheelset that will deliver comfort and performance instead of jsut wieghing 100grams less. Any recommendations? I am leaning on the Spank VIbrocore Wheels since they help reduce chatter and on a Hardtail that is key to comfort.

Thanks everyone.

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FrankS29

· #2 · Oct 29, 2021

If you’re looking for comfort and performance, I would stick with 30ish mm internal width rims so that they play nice with 2.4”ish tires. That way you can have good support for the tire and enough tire volume to help tame the trail.

I would look at the I9 enduro “S” series wheels. They come in either the Hydra hub series and the 1/1 hubs, both hubs are really good and have fast engagement, but the Hydra gives you slightly lower weight and basically instantaneous engagement. The 1/1 are a better price point, typically better spoke availability at a local shop and still really quick engagement.

Tough as nails, reasonable weight, great hubs and comfortable wheelset to ride.

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DGUSMC

· #3 · Oct 29, 2021

FrankS29 said:
If you’re looking for comfort and performance, I would stick with 30ish mm internal width rims so that they play nice with 2.4”ish tires. That way you can have good support for the tire and enough tire volume to help tame the trail.

I would look at the I9 enduro “S” series wheels. They come in either the Hydra hub series and the 1/1 hubs, both hubs are really good and have fast engagement, but the Hydra gives you slightly lower weight and basically instantaneous engagement. The 1/1 are a better price point, typically better spoke availability at a local shop and still really quick engagement.

Tough as nails, reasonable weight, great hubs and comfortable wheelset to ride.

Second this. Would add that I have a set of I9 Enduro (30.5 inner) and I9 Trail S 270 (27 inner). The Trail S does perfectly well with 2.4 tires. I have run both Dissectors and DHRs hard with pretty low pressures - ZERO issues.

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Cary

· #4 · Oct 30, 2021

I would not get the Spanks, they are heavy and really more of a trail/enduro wheel. Consider a set of handbuilt wheels, DT swiss 350 hubs and aluminum or carbon rims. With aluminum rims and a 27-30mm internal width rim, figure 1800-1900 grams and $600-700. Chinese Carbon like BTLOS, and you can knock that down to 1600-1700 grams and $900-1000.

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rgmgarcia

Discussion Starter · #5 · Oct 30, 2021

Thanks to everyon

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Grinchy8

· #6 · Oct 30, 2021

I just bought a mullet set of spank 395+ Oozy trail rims. I wished the vibracore came in the 35i width, I would have bought those instead.
I haven’t built them up yet but I think they’ll work pretty great.
In stock 35i options were pretty limited.
Not the lightest, but none of them were particularly light.
There were more options in the 25i, 30i ranges.
I saw the 295 non vibracore on sale for $55 each. They’d be fine for xc.

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