So i bent a front WTB SpeedDisc i19 today pretty well today so now begins my search for something lighter/stronger/tubeless. I was running the WTB's tubeless with Conti Race Kings on my Airborne HobGoblin. I'm about 210# and need something that will put up to abuse and some smaller drops. Been lookin at Stan's and Sun/Ringles but dont really know the difference between hoops etc.
Also should i spend the money on something like Hope hubs right away and purchase through Merlin Cycles or what?
I like Dt star ratchets for the rear but almost anything will work on the front. Changeable caps and sealed bearings and weight are what to look at. Merlin and Wiggle have the FlowEx/Hope Pro 2 Evo front for 140 or so-- that's what you need.
i'm riding on stans arch ex and hope's, and i cant say enough good things about em. I made a few misjudged jumps and came down right on roots and rocks directly on the tire/rim. Wheels just ate it up and continued on. Also love the Hope hubs, they spin for days, and with the lighter wheels and those hubs it was like riding a new bike. Def an upgrade I'd suggestion to many riders. **It should be noted I ride XC, so biggest jumps I'm taking at maybe 2-3 feet
Thanks guys, I think going with the Flow Ex's on the Hope 2 hubs will be my best bet. I could not find them on wiggle and Merlin is out of stock on the hoop so unless i come across them somewhere else i will wait until they are back in stock. I have a cheap wheel I put on the bike just so i can still ride it.
Since only the front is bent should i just replace the front or is it better to buy/use them as a set?
Thanks guys, I think going with the Flow Ex's on the Hope 2 hubs will be my best bet. I could not find them on wiggle and Merlin is out of stock on the hoop so unless i come across them somewhere else i will wait until they are back in stock.
Personally, I would do a custom build through Handspun. You can do this very easily through AEBike and their wheel builder program. Sign up for an account and you get discounted prices shown as well. I think I priced out an entire 29er wheelset - Hope/Flow and it was like $550 shipped.
Basically all you do is - pick out your 2 rims, add to cart - pick out your 2 hubs, add to cart. Then go to the above wheel builder page and choose the spokes/nips you want. Ignore the last optional rim part. Choose a quantity of "2" if you are having a wheelset made, and obviously only 1 if you are only doing front.
They come with 9 & 15mm caps for the front. The rear is one of the loudest hubs on the market. One guy says the freehub can be greased with Slick Honey for a quieter ride. Switch that out for winter riding in cold temps. The rear should fit a standard QR. E-mail Wiggle for added options.
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