Wheels that don't suck on non-dentist salary

[Johnny Utah]

The Hydras are easy to work on but on the other hand I've been unable to kill DT bearings.

This is appealing, for sure. Would be happier with anything lower maintenance.

I am looking for better engagement than the current ibis hubs. Maybe go with the 54t upgrade kit on the 350.

Hunt wheels also caught my attention. For “best value” and some quick search pricing, how would you rank say…

I9 1/1 enduro s - $750
WAO union 1/1 (rear only) - $800
DT 350 (54t) / EX511 (rear only) - $650
Hunt trail wide - $450
Hunt proven enduro - $1100




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[toast2266]

I9 1/1 enduro s - $750
WAO union 1/1 (rear only) - $800
DT 350 (54t) / EX511 (rear only) - $650
Hunt trail wide - $450
Hunt proven enduro - $1100

My take on those:

I9: good engagement, mediocre bearings that don't last.
WAO: no experience with them. If I were going to get them, I'd get them with the Hadleys.
DT 350 / EX511: solid option. Not the absolute lightest, but otherwise no big downsides.
Hunt: The hubs are (or at least used to be) rebranded Novatecs, which historically have had lots of durability issues, although Hunt uses the higher end Novatec options that seem to hold up better. I never had any issues with the Hunt wheels I had and they rode well, but they were really heavy for what they were.

[El Chupacabra]

Hunt used Novatec hubs, FWIW. At least they used to, don't know if there are any differences today. Some rear Novatec hubs have had issues.

[El Chupacabra]

Was typing that when toast replied!

Another option, not dentist level bling, but I have been pretty happy with the Nukeproof Horizon V2 wheelset I got early this year. After some out of the box retensioning, they've held up nicely. The main problem area for me on wheels is the freehub, and no problems so far.

Bought a second set of those wheels for another build, but don't have as much time on that set yet.

They aren't the lightest, but seem decently made, and inexpensive.

[jackattack]

DT350 54t ratchet hub ftw. Been running this setup for as long as I remember. I plan on rebuilding the rear wheel on my new bike that comes with ibis hubs.

Heavy and loud but burly and reliable.

[summit]

Roost Wheels - top notch carbon wheelsets for <$1k

I DH on the EN33s and right aggressive tech on the AM31

[singlesline]

Seem to be some good prices on DT Swiss wheels purchased from Europe with the current EUR-USD exchange rate as long as you can find a retailer that will take out VAT and ship for a reasonable amount.

Been watching these carbon rims with 240 hubs:
https://www.lordgun.com/dt-swiss-exc...ady-wheelset-1

6-bolt version seems to go in and out of stock, centerlock can be ordered with a delay. Ended up not pulling the trigger due to my accident, but they were quoting 50 euros for shipping so at current exchange rates it was looking like $1100 for the pair.

No idea if you'd get stuck with import duties on the US side (probably depends what they mark the value as) or how fast they ship...but found some positive experiences in MTBR that claimed delivery within days.

[Tech Tonics]

I have DT 350 on Light Bicycle rims (enduro something or other ~30mm IW) and they are awesome.

I had a local dude lace them ~3 years ago and they’ve been bombproof.


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[El Chupacabra]

Seem to be some good prices on DT Swiss wheels purchased from Europe with the current EUR-USD exchange rate as long as you can find a retailer that will take out VAT and ship for a reasonable amount.

Been watching these carbon rims with 240 hubs:
https://www.lordgun.com/dt-swiss-exc...ady-wheelset-1

6-bolt version seems to go in and out of stock, centerlock can be ordered with a delay. Ended up not pulling the trigger due to my accident, but they were quoting 50 euros for shipping so at current exchange rates it was looking like $1100 for the pair.

No idea if you'd get stuck with import duties on the US side (probably depends what they mark the value as) or how fast they ship...but found some positive experiences in MTBR that claimed delivery within days.

I've ordered a couple of times from Lordgun, no duties charged, but orders were only around $400-500. Fast shipping.

When I ordered, I found it was slightly cheaper to order in Euros, and pay using a credit card without a foreign transaction fee. The exchange rate was better for me that way.

[mmmm...pow!]

I've been on the previous generation Hunt carbon all mountain wheelset for three summers now. Best upgrade I've ever made. I'm a Clydesdale, charge pretty hard, mostly ride rocky terrain, and have a tendency land some of my unstylish whips sideways. Other than numerous scars from rocks clanging off them, the wheels are in perfect condition. Never taken a spoke wrench to them yet. I don't use inserts, they've taken quite a few hard impacts that freaked me out at first but now I don't even worry about it. The hubs are rebranded high end Novatec, but are easy to service and haven't given me any issues, no reason to think they will.

[Boissal]

I have DT 350 on Light Bicycle rims (enduro something or other ~30mm IW) and they are awesome.

I had a local dude lace them ~3 years ago and they’ve been bombproof.

I'm on a similar wheel, BTLOS rim (another Chinese carbon wheel manufacturer) on DT350 hubs, 30 IW, trail construction. The wheels have 2700 miles on them and other than a couple broken spoke courtesy of my lack of skills I really can't complain. Hard to beat an $850 wheelset that requires 0 attention and works well.
I have a 2nd set of the same rims with a Hydra hub (rear only) and if I had to do it again I'd stick to the DT hub, maybe go to a 240 if I felt the need to burn $$. The Hydra hub is not worth the price IMO, the engagement thing is not exactly life changing compared to a 54t ratchet and the bearing lifespan is very underwhelming (maybe 800 miles).

[Falcon3]

Just wanted to praise my Ibis S35 wheel set. I just rode the Enchilada and had so many hard wheel strikes because I got in with some guys that were absolutely sending it. Keeping up with them was riding at the top of my speed and ability limits.

I thought for sure I was going to get done and my rims would wobble all over. Nope, still just one flat spot from an earlier bad case and a couple new scratches but otherwise in good nick. And the ibis brand behind had no issue with tech climbs either. If I were in the market for a $250-400 wheelset I’d definitely give them a hard look.

I’m going lighter carbon this winter but keeping the S35s around for bike park/beat on days

[Bosco]

I'm also a fan of Light Bicycle wheels. Lots of options for a good price.

[NT]

I just dented another DT XM481 rim on a rock strike, that's 3 in the past 2 years. Suggestions on best option for avoiding this in future?

29er, 32 hole, rear wheel, maxxis aggressor with EXO casing (first two were with ardents or rekons), no insert, 27psi. I'm 160lbs, often ride like an idiot and land on pointy rocks.

My understanding is that increasing psi, more burly casing, and inserts would all help. A burlier rim (EX511 or perhaps carbon??) might help? I don't want to do all of those things, so which is the most meaningful with the least downside? I don't want to increase psi further (actually going lower would be nice) or add very much additional weight. How much more durable is quality carbon in the rim strike department? Cracking sounds worse than denting but if it can withstand more it might be worth it. I could add an insert to carbon and end up around the same weight I'm currently at for a modest cost increase (Revel carbon RW27 currently on sale for $300 with lifetime warranty). I'd probably stick with the existing front XM481 (that I've only dented once) because budget.

Or should I just stick with aluminum and add an insert?

[alewi11]

I think you've pretty much nailed all the options. Pick 2 of the psi, insert, casing options and your problems should be mostly solved. For me it's psi and casing because I don't want to deal with the hassle of an insert.

I go back and forth on carbon. Broken lots of carbon and aluminum rims. Like you said, it's cracking vs denting. Imo cracked carbon doesn't have to immediately be trashed like some people think. I've been on a cracked carbon rim for the last 3 years. I just keep an eye on it

[Eluder]

I am not a fan of inserts, for many reasons.

I run beefier than EXO casing and accept that alloy rims are a wear item. 481s are pretty thin; I am more in the 511 camp.

[plugboots]

My 4 light bicycle rims I built up a couple years ago have been something I don’t even think about.

[toastybroski]

Can anyone suggest a good carbon wheelset with 30-32mm ID for mostly trail riding but maybe some xc. Not looking to spend over $1k.

Seeing some nextie carbon hoops on i9 hydras for $900 on pinkbike. https://www.pinkbike.com/buysell/3799816/

[J. Barron DeJong]

Can anyone suggest a good carbon wheelset with 30-32mm ID for mostly trail riding but maybe some xc. Not looking to spend over $1k.

Seeing some nextie carbon hoops on i9 hydras for $900 on pinkbike. https://www.pinkbike.com/buysell/3799816/

I think some guys here have had success with BTLOS. Something like this:

https://btlos.com/mountain-bike/mtb-...-carbon-wheels

Can be built with DT 350 hubs and CX-Ray spokes for under $1k.

[Meconium]

Sometimes you can mix and match different brands and save big. Might be a front and then wait for a rear to to go on supper sale.

[smmokan]

I'll have an I-9 Trail Carbon (with 1/1 hubs) wheelset for sale next week, ballpark $900 if you're interested. They're only 28mm internal, but in my experience they measure a bit narrow and the tires have more volume than my 30mm internal Roval carbon wheels.

[Andeh]

Reserve 30 HD AL carry a warranty that basically says if you manage to dent them, they'll replace them. They're not the lightest things out there, but they're solid, and cheaper than a DT factory wheelset.

[Falcon3]

Can anyone suggest a good carbon wheelset with 30-32mm ID for mostly trail riding but maybe some xc. Not looking to spend over $1k.

Seeing some nextie carbon hoops on i9 hydras for $900 on pinkbike. https://www.pinkbike.com/buysell/3799816/

If you’re prone to breaking wheels, there’s no substitute for We Are One. Get a Triad rear rim laced to a hub you already own and fucking send it. I have two rears and have beat the shit out of them and they look perfect. For the front, I run bikes of 160-180mm and cheap light rims have been fine up there, it’s the rears I’ve destroyed many times from weighing 200lbs, riding hard, casing jumps, hitting rocks on backcountry trails, etc, but the WAO triads have been absolutely bulletproof.

[jm2e]

Anyone see the new E13 wheelsets in person? Not saying I don't have trust issues with E13 in general, but the new tech is interesting and their warranty is encouraging From the website: "We stand behind them with a lifetime warranty on carbon hoops and a 5-year crash replacement policy on alloy."

[alewi11]

E13 has always been good to me regarding warranty issues, but it just gets replaced with another piece of shit. I've had issues with every single e13 product I've ever owned. No way I'd ever rush out to buy their wheels with new proprietary tech regardless of warranty.