Mountain Biking - Wheelsets

I was just researching the next big upgrade for my bike and came across a few interesting stats.

I thought for sure I would upgrade my wheels from Rolf Satellite to Mavic Crossroc UST, but if these stats are true... well, just check this out:

Mavic CrossRoc UST
Weight: 1820g (mavic.com)
Price: $349 (PerformanceBike.com)

Mavic CrossMax UST
Weight: 1580g (mavic.com)
Price: $799 (PerformanceBike.com)


Bontrager Race Tubeless:
Weight: 1775g (bontrager.com)
Price: $349 (bontrager.com)

Bontrager Race Modified Tubeless:
Weight: 1625g (bontrager.com)
Price: $449 (bontrager.com)

Bontrager Race Lite Tubeless:
Weight: 1480g (bontrager.com)
Price: $699 (bontrager.com)

Obviously the Race Modified Tubeless look like the best deal. Only 45g heavier than the top-o-the-line CrossMax at almost half the price.

The only major downside I can see is tire availability for the Bontragers. UST is the most popular tubeless design so there's bound to be a lot more tires, but I'm sure I could settle on some Bontrager tires to save that much weight and money.

Whatch'all think?

I was just reading Bontragers site a little more in-depth and it says that their tubeless wheels will work with almost any tubless tire as well as with a std. tube and tire combo. If this works as good as they say this gives the Bontragers another advantage.

I've heard that the bontrager tubeless wheels suck. I heard that the tire seals on the rim strip, instead of the rim like the crossmaxxes.....maybe they made different ones. Plus, the bontrager wheels use regular spokes, unlike the crossmaxxes that use those sweet ovalized ones. I got my crossmaxxe's for $550 at the beginning of the year at www.bikesmart.com but they only had like 15 pairs of them. I love them, they are strong and can take a beating. I weigh 170 lbs. Shop around....performance bike might not have the lowest prices on them!

Now that you mention it... I think I've heard that too, about the rim tape. I guess it doesn't matter what price you pay for the wheels if they don't hold air. :) I figured that if the wheels are half the price and just as light there had to be a reason why everyone still bought Mavics.

Thanks for the advice.

If you go here.... http://www.bontrager.com/mountainwheels/detail.asp?id=50&pt=10 and on the right under "technology" click on "Tubeless Wheelsystems" it will show you how the tire seals into the strip, it dosent really look all that bad.