29er Race Wheelset

Discuss light weight issues concerning mountain bikes & parts.

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Monty
Posts: 3
Joined: Mon Apr 08, 2013 11:46 am

by Monty

Hi there,

I recently got a Giant XTC 29er, and am looking for some new wheels.
Am ~70kg and these wheels will be used primarily for racing. Will be riding tubeless.

Have a deal with a LBS that stocks Mavic, Specialised, Hope, Stans, Shimano, Giant, amongst others, but they're the main brands I can see that venture into wheel stuff.
Could spend RRP £900 max.

Thus, I'm looking at Mavic Crossmax SLRs, STs, Specialized's Roval Control 29ers, Stans ZTR 29er Race Gold and potentially Giant PXCR-1. Love the look of the American Classic Race wheels with their wide rims, but unfortunately the LBS don't stock AC's.

Has anybody any experience with any of these wheels, or any other ideas?
The Roval carbon wheels look like a good job, but then the aluminium Stans are lighter and less expensive, but am I compromising quality?

Had ordered http://www.carbonality.com/wheels/29er- ... lset.html/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; Carbonal chinese wheels, but basically got screwed over with waiting times and false promises, so have cancelled the order.

by Weenie


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Asymptotic
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Joined: Mon Jul 11, 2011 11:06 am
Location: North Adelaide, South Australia

by Asymptotic

Given your budget I think your best option would be a custom build of Stans Crest rims / cx-rays / either DT 240's or Tune kings - this build would also be below your 900 pound budget - I built that combo (Tune hubs) for $750, weighs bang on 1420g.

Out of all your listed factory wheels, the Stans Gold is the lightest, Mavic Crossmax would probably be the most durable.
Norwood & Adelaide Uni CC

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the_marsbar
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by the_marsbar

Monty wrote:The Roval carbon wheels look like a good job, but then the aluminium Stans are lighter and less expensive, but am I compromising quality?


I'm currently riding my first set of carbon wheels (Reynolds XC 29ers), and they're a big step from the Stan's wheelset I had on my 26" bike, in terms of stiffness.

I'd take carbon over aluminium, if possible.

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Martin.F
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Location: Norway, Drammen

by Martin.F

FWIW I weigh 2-3 kg less than you and I find the race gold wheels to be a little bit to flexy. I'd go with the Rovals of the ones you are listing, or a custom build with Light-bicycle rims (seems to be the most reputable supplier) and DT hubs.

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StradaJon
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by StradaJon

I agree with the Marsbar - the step to carbon rims is big. We use an own label XC carbon rim and the difference is really noticeable, especially on a 29er.
Strada Hand Built Wheels
http://www.stradawheels.co.uk

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yourdaguy
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by yourdaguy

Carbon if you can. Otherwise, forget the local bike shop, the American Classic are the cream of the aluminum crop followed by Stan's. In the Stans line I would go with the ARCH Ex as opposed to the Crest. I like the Crest, but they are a little flexy.
For certain parts stiffer is more important than lighter.

Monty
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Joined: Mon Apr 08, 2013 11:46 am

by Monty

Can't get hold of any carbon rims through the LBS, so I guess I'll be going for the Roval Controls then

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yourdaguy
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by yourdaguy

Does the local bike shop sign your paychecks?
For certain parts stiffer is more important than lighter.

tonytourist
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by tonytourist

The Roval Control carbon is a nice wheelset. A friend of mine is running them and likes them a lot more than his Crossmax SLRs.

Monty
Posts: 3
Joined: Mon Apr 08, 2013 11:46 am

by Monty

yourdaguy wrote:Does the local bike shop sign your paychecks?


No, I race for them so get reasonable discount.

Yep, every review of the Rovals seems to be raving about them. Bit weighty but I think the benefits of the stiffness might surpass the benefits of being 200g lighter. Especially considering I'm coming from the standard Giant PXC-2 wheels at 2200g or so.
Have some of the Bontrager 29-0 tyres to put on them, so could save the 200g again there over Racing Ralphs or the like.

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yourdaguy
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by yourdaguy

Why won't your bike shop sell you carbon rims at a reasonable discount? Or order American Classic which any bike shop can buy at a discount and resell to you? Glad to see they are supporting your racing career.
For certain parts stiffer is more important than lighter.

absmith
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Joined: Wed Dec 21, 2011 7:02 am

by absmith

My teammate Jim is riding the chinese 29er carbon wheels http://www.speedercycling.com/Carbon-Bi ... t_p66.html, built with taiwanese novatec disc hubs and pillar spokes, it works great as far and the price is reasonable.

by Weenie


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Dandegroot32
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Joined: Thu Mar 20, 2014 9:14 am

by Dandegroot32

Weight is important obviously, but don't underestimate how much better a stiff wheelset feels during a race. It's nice not have to baby wheels during rocky races

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