I have been researching, reading, comparing and contrasting wheelsets for my 29er bike build. Through my readings I still cannot decide on which wheelset would be best for my needs. Seem like most have different opinions based on good and bad experiences.
What I'm looking for. Strong and burley wheelset, grams not important, for the money. I can easily get a 1K wheelset but am not really looking to spend that much money. Any suggestions?
I have Flow with Kings, 36 DT spokes (14g) and Sapim brass nipples. 220 lb on rigid ss with plenty of air time, and no problem with them at all. I think Hope and Hedley hubs are also clyde friendly.
As for the price, Larry from Ghisallo Wheels - Custom Wheels had the best price (under $700 for Flows with SS King hubs) compared to any other websites/wheel builders.
I don't know if Wiggle still sells their Hope wheels for cheap, but they were selling Hope wheels with Flow rims for $350 not too long ago.
If you are well into clyde territory, and strong/aggressive, I would be most concerned about the hubs and build quality, and then rims and spokes based on those factors.
For clydes that are just into clyde size, Hopes would be OK. But if you're over 250lbs and ride aggressively (and can afford it), I would go with a little burlier hub like DT (w/18pt star ratchet), Chris King or Hadley. If you're over 250lbs, I would also go with brass nipples based on my own experience (JMHO). Stans Flow or the WTB i23 are good rim choices for general trail riding.
I would need you to define 'strong and burly' as it applies here. It could mean different things to different folks.
Have you given Velocity Blunt or P35 rims a look? They will definitely give you strong and burly. I'm 210 (down from 235 when I got the wheels) and my Blunt's are holding up well after a few years of aggressive riding. They are 26's though.
No matter how slow you ride, you're faster than anyone sitting online whining about slow riders.
I just built a set of Stan't Flow ex with Hope pro 2 evo front and rear hubs (32 hole) with double butted DT comp spokes and brass nipples.I am 230 and they are more than strong enough. I've noticed very little flex, I'm 100 percent happy with them. I built the set for around 420.00. I got the Hubs from CRC (least expensive place I found) I got the spokes from Cambria Bicycle, and I think I got the hoops from Universal cycles for 40.00 each.There is also a guy on ebay who always has the Flow ex hoops in white or black for under 100.00 for the set.
I am 6'7 and weigh in at 290. My definition of strong and burley is keeping me out of the LBS and on the trail. I am mounting the wheels on a Niner MCR 9 with a rigid carbon fork and XT drive train.
I was about 280 and intended on loaded touring so wanted the same. Went with Velocity Psycho 36 hole rims and Deore hubs with double butted spokes. They cost about $350 incl building. The hubs were recommended by touring types as reliable, stronger than XT and a bit heavier.
They are indeed very strong though a bit wide for my 700/40 tires and are really intended to have wider 29er tires.
I'm looking to replace them with 40 hole Dyad rims with White Industries hubs. The psychos will be for sale...
The consensus seems to be hope or CK hubs. Is there a difference between the two that I should consider? Does riding style preference one over the other? Also considering I want LONG life with little maintenance. Does one mesh better with a particular rim or spokes?
My current problem has always been spokes. I break them left and right and with that my rim gets wobbly.
Who are some good wheel builders?
Love this place y'all are a encyclopedia of knowledge! Thank you for everything thus far.
The consensus seems to be hope or CK hubs. Is there a difference between the two that I should consider? Does riding style preference one over the other? Also considering I want LONG life with little maintenance. Does one mesh better with a particular rim or spokes?
My current problem has always been spokes. I break them left and right and with that my rim gets wobbly.
Who are some good wheel builders?
Love this place y'all are a encyclopedia of knowledge! Thank you for everything thus far.
Kings require a little more maintenance initially but reward you with bullet proof durability and the best freehub drive system in the universe. And the maintenance is easy...but that said the Hope is quite durable too.
If you are breaking spokes, get the "Burly" models I listed in my first post. For a wheelbuilder you might check out Mikesee at Lace Mine 29 Lace Mine 29 - Big Bicycle Wheels
I have had good success using Mike Curiak at lacemine29.com. He has a page you fill out then he will recommend a build. Just google him, he knows his stuff.
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I chose CK over Hopes for 2 main reasons. Better design, and I could get them for as cheap as a wheelset with Hopes.
I got my wheels from Larry at Ghisallo Wheels - Custom Wheels One of the best prices in the business, and he built me a solid wheel - 220 lb on rigid with a lot of stuff you've seen on failblog.org, and wheels are still true.
I'm 330 lbs and been riding DT Swiss hubs for a couple years. Awesome durability, extremely easy maintenance. DT Swiss 440 for the ultimate in strength but a little pricey. DT Swiss 350 for a more budget option. I HIGHLY recomend them. Also MTX33 rims, hands down burliest 29er rim you can buy. Only downside is they suck tubeless. Use the Burly option for spokes listed above too.
I'm 330 lbs and been riding DT Swiss hubs for a couple years. Awesome durability, extremely easy maintenance. DT Swiss 440 for the ultimate in strength but a little pricey. DT Swiss 350 for a more budget option. I HIGHLY recomend them. Also MTX33 rims, hands down burliest 29er rim you can buy. Only downside is they suck tubeless. Use the Burly option for spokes listed above too.
You're right, post adjusted. I also left off American Classic which I'm using without any issues (WTB Laserdisc actually).
I have been on the same set of Hope Pro 2's for at least 4 years now and another set around 3 years and I have not had to touch them. I also have a set of Hadley's that I have been using for about a year that I am really happy with. The only reason I got the Hadley's was I came into some extra cash if not I would have gotten another set of Hope's. There are nicer hubs than the Hope's out there like the King's and Hadley's but the Hope's are bullet proof and in my opinion are the best value on the market. They are also big boy friendly, I was about 300lbs when I started riding on my first set and like I said no issues at all.
Been talking to some wheel builders. One in particular mentioned not to get so caught up in what the wheel is rather than how it's made. This same builder suggested: Hope Pro2 Evos, Halo Freedom 36h rims and DT Swiss 14 g.
Been talking to some wheel builders. One in particular mentioned not to get so caught up in what the wheel is rather than how it's made. This same builder suggested: Hope Pro2 Evos, Halo Freedom 36h rims and DT Swiss 14 g.
Thoughts?
Sounds like a solid build. I also went for 36h DT 14g spokes (220 lb on rigid), and no problem so far.
For easier maintenance, and excellent durability, I would look at the DT Swiss 440 rear hub. The Chris King is excellent and durable with something like 72 points of engagement, but more labor intensive to maintain. Hadley hubs are known for being durable too, but maybe a bit more labor intensive. The star ratchet system on the DT Swiss is incredibly easy and quick to service and the 440 is built for abuse. If you were 220 lbs instead of 290 lbs, I would probably just say go with the Hope rear hub, but I have seen some reports of big strong riders breaking their hub shells. It may not happen to you, but if you can afford to invest in some hubs that will be with you for many, many years and will be durable as well as easy to service, the DT Swiss 440 ticks all those boxes. JMO.
Been talking to some wheel builders. One in particular mentioned not to get so caught up in what the wheel is rather than how it's made. This same builder suggested: Hope Pro2 Evos, Halo Freedom 36h rims and DT Swiss 14 g.
Thoughts?
Go with the DT swiss Alpine spokes over the 14G champions. Alpine will be much more durable and will better make a set it and forget it wheel build. Don't know about the Halo's but them look skinny. Go with the wider MTX33 rim, its not much heavier than the Halo. I also agree that you should look at the DT Swiss 440 rear hub although I don't think they make a 36h hub anymore that isn't 150mm with 12mm axle.
I have about 2 years of experience with a DT 440, alpine, MTX33 rear wheel. Trails her are rocky and hard on wheels plus I've been averaging 330 lbs for the life of the wheel. I think I have trued it once since I've had it and it only required a minor adjustment. Crazy burly wheel.
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Originally Posted by Jphill1301
