I just bought a new-to-me bike (2006 Kona Kula) and the wheels that came with it are pretty heavy and, just as bad (which is to say doesn't really matter but I don't like it), they don't match. So I'm looking at new 26" wheels.
I weigh about 200 pounds. I'll be using these wheels mostly for short track racing and trails, no serious downhill or jumps and nothing especially technical. I'm slow and don't ride very aggressively. I'd like to keep the budget around $300.
I was thinking I'd build a set of wheels, probably using either SLX or XT hubs. I've got 6-bolt rotors now, so either new rotors or adapters will go into the budget, but it seems like any non-Shimano hubs that don't blow the budget (i.e. SRAM) are questionable for off-road. For rims, I was considering Stan's Arch EX or maybe DT X 430s. I thought about Stan's Alpine or Olympic (available on closeout at an LBS), but I worry that they are too light for my weight.
The other thing I'm considering (throwing caution to the wind a bit on sturdiness) is Easton EA70 XC, which it looks like I can get for around $275.
Opinions? Suggestions?
I weigh about 200 pounds. I'll be using these wheels mostly for short track racing and trails, no serious downhill or jumps and nothing especially technical. I'm slow and don't ride very aggressively. I'd like to keep the budget around $300.
I was thinking I'd build a set of wheels, probably using either SLX or XT hubs. I've got 6-bolt rotors now, so either new rotors or adapters will go into the budget, but it seems like any non-Shimano hubs that don't blow the budget (i.e. SRAM) are questionable for off-road. For rims, I was considering Stan's Arch EX or maybe DT X 430s. I thought about Stan's Alpine or Olympic (available on closeout at an LBS), but I worry that they are too light for my weight.
The other thing I'm considering (throwing caution to the wind a bit on sturdiness) is Easton EA70 XC, which it looks like I can get for around $275.
Opinions? Suggestions?