Wheel question?

Tim D · Joined: 28 Mar 2014 Posts: 45 Location: Red Hook

Ok, so I am new to the site and relitivley new to mountain biking. I have a trance X 29. Because of all the things I read I was seriously contomplating upgrading my wheels. My question is. Is it really worth it? I am thinking mavic crossmax slr. I would go from about 2100 gr. to about 1640. With lighter tires I would be saving about. 3/4 of a pound on each wheel. So for those of you who have done big wheel upgrades. Is it like "oh yeah I think I feel a difference" or more like "holy crap man! My bike is so much better now". Talking about spending a $1000.
Thanks in advance for your opinions.
Tim D.

GG · Veep Joined: 25 Sep 2008 Posts: 907 Location: new splatz

Hi and welcome again!

I noticed a difference when I started riding light wheels....it's definitely easier to climb and negotiate obstacles. Going tubeless is great too, if you haven't already done so...not that it's significantly lighter or anything, but you can run lower tire pressure and get excellent traction.

harry · Joined: 20 Sep 2006 Posts: 94 Location: mill river ma

the cost. I definetly recommend light wheels. Best upgrade you can make

jamesframes · Joined: 30 Sep 2006 Posts: 2655 Location: new paltz, NY

carbon is cheapish now...

http://www.ebay.com/itm/2012-Roval-Control-SL-29-Carbon-142-Mountain-Bike-Wheelset-/111312216405?pt=US_Wheels_Wheelsets&hash=item19eab9a155

I love my roval carbon wheels-1000 bucks should get you close and should get you under 1500grams
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Forest_biker · Joined: 16 Sep 2006 Posts: 859

Hey Tim,

I'd just stick to the wheelset you've got.
It's Spring, a messy unpredictable season.
Ride the sh@t out of them through all the slop and grit of Spring, bang them off of rocks until your skills sharpen again and the spokes start to break and/or the hub gives out.

Then after you burned through the Winter coat and worn out the wheels set, you'll need new wheels anyway!

Losing five pounds is a whole lot cheaper than going with a lighter wheelset.

Tim D · Joined: 28 Mar 2014 Posts: 45 Location: Red Hook

thanks for the replys. forest biker, i get what your saying thats my plan with my road bike. cant aford to lose any more weight. i moved and lost 10lbs and i was only at 158 to start with. more replys welcome.

burtondogs · Joined: 05 Sep 2006 Posts: 633

Not sure about the Giant wheelset.....but.....
My Std Specialized 29 wheelset was terrible .
Always out of true & so many flats.

I got the Mavic Crossmax 29 UST.
Was worth ever dime....in my opinion.
Ride felt great.....
No more messing around with the wheels or fixing flats all the time.

GG · Veep Joined: 25 Sep 2008 Posts: 907 Location: new splatz

Light wheels are also durable...you should be able to ride the sh*t out of them!

smctigue · Joined: 26 Mar 2013 Posts: 98 Location: Union Vale

Another vote for Stan's. Light on their own then factor no tube or heavy UST tire means very light rotational weight.

stevelei · Joined: 13 Sep 2007 Posts: 498

I recommend looking at going with wider rims there are still some rims out there that have internal rim width of 19mm. Wider rims take full advantage of the tires foot print, better traction and cornering. Narrow rims with wider tires can cause lateral flex/roll when cornering.

As for hubs consider hubs with higher engagement points. Some hubs for example Shimano have low engagement points in the free hub body you can feel a gap before the next engagement. Higher engagement hubs have very low lag time. These hubs feel great punching out of corners or anytime jumping on the pedals after coasting.

Both Hope and DT Swiss hubs are easily convertible to thru-axles.

Stan's-Notubes Arch Ex or Flow rims
Hope or DT Swiss hubs

http://www.pinkbike.com/news/Tech-Tuesday--Wider-Rims-Are-Better-and-Why-Tubeless-Tires-Burp-.html

"When climbing a technical climb with lots of rocks and ledges the near instant engagement makes timing of pedal wheelies and weight shifts much easier and precise. These hubs eliminate the “dead spot” when you pedal 10-20 degrees with no engagement. This dead spot can cause your weight to move forward before your bike moves forward often shifting you out of position. Better engagement also allows you to keep your feet more level when ratchet pedaling, requiring less downward movement to achieve the same amount of forward progress."

"Even while descending the quick engagement allows you to apply power to the pedals a hair quicker coming out of corners. This leads to a feeling of being more precise and in control."

- See more at: http://betterride.net/blog/2012/another-upgrade-than-can-help-your-mtb-riding/#sthash.T0MxwHi0.dpuf
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Revolution Bicycles
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Tim845 · Joined: 02 Sep 2006 Posts: 3684 Location: Poughkeepsie

I would wear that wheel set out, carbon wheels are likely to be sub $1k next year.

That being said though, light wheels have more impact on 29ers. Like the hp boost of a performance exhaust (but not a turbo).

Maybe have a local shop build these up with your choice of hubs:
http://www.light-bicycle.com/
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Tim D · Joined: 28 Mar 2014 Posts: 45 Location: Red Hook

Now that's a good way to put it. I can understand "a proformance exhaust not a turbo" some of the guys on other forums make is sound like a light stiff wheel set will turn a 85 ford escort into a Ferrari. Being just an average rider who doesnt race I would hate to drop a G and feel little to no difference.
Much like road biking. I ride an older aluminum frame and have friends who are telling me carbon bikes are "amazing" "so fast" you know all that.