Mountain Biking - best bang for the buck - wheelset?

Possibly looking to upgrade to MTN bike wheelset. Disc brakes around 300-400 dollars? What is your opinion on best bang for the buck?

$400...definitely these:

http://bicyclewheelwarehouse.com/index.php?_a=viewProd&productId=38

I love the Azonic Outlaws. But that is just me personally, and they were around $300 and so far bullet proof.

Also forgot to mention...........I believe, now I believe, they come in 9mm QR and 15 & 20mm thru axle. I have the 20mm thru and the front on my bike is stiff as a 2 x 6 concreted in the ground!

The Outlaw is convertible F 20mm - 9mm // R QR -TA

Quick and easy.

$400...definitely these:

http://bicyclewheelwarehouse.com/index.php?_a=viewProd&productId=38
These wheels are nice but the specs show a range of over 2.3 inches for tire size. I would need to b able to mount a 26x2.0 occasionally and these would probably not allow that. I do like em though, the DT Swiss hubs look like a real plus in quality.

The rims on that wheelset are overkill for most trail riding. Based on you using a 2.0 tire, you could get away with a narrower (and lighter) rim.

Get the Outlaws, best value out there. If it's economy you want/need, BikeIsland.com has a set of disc-ready Vueltas for $100, and the Deore disc/Rhyno Lite set is close to that at JensonUSA.com. The Rhyno Lites are best with kevlar-beaded tires, though. Sun rims are made with shallower rim beds than many others.

Well nobody said what the wheels were for. I'm assuming since you're mounting pizza cutters on there that a 20mm won't be compatible either. OP...be more specific in your needs.

Get the Outlaws, best value out there. If it's economy you want/need, BikeIsland.com has a set of disc-ready Vueltas for $100, and the Deore disc/Rhyno Lite set is close to that at JensonUSA.com. The Rhyno Lites are best with kevlar-beaded tires, though. Sun rims are made with shallower rim beds than many others.

What do you mean? Are you saying Sun rims wear out the tires more quickly?

My experience with Rhynolites is that its a biznatch getting a tire mounted compared to my Mavics or DTs. Which would equate to a deeper rim.

Lol, I am not mounting 2.0s on there, I was saying I need the rim to go as low as a 2.0/1.95 tire for specific rides. I have 2 in mind, that this would be a necessity for. Other than that, they are exactly what I was looking for. Yeah I think I'd skip on the Rhynolites for now thought they would be a decent replacement for stock if I ever needed.

What are your opinions on these couple of sets?
http://www.nashbar.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/Product_10053_10052_518354_-1_10000__202189

http://www.nashbar.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/Product_10053_10052_506784_-1_201887_10000_202189

http://www.jensonusa.com/store/product/WH272A01-Reynolds+Canyon+Wheelset+10.aspx

Just some items I turned up while browsing.

Just picked up the factory SLX wheelset from CRC for $270 shipped.

Have yet to ride them.

But for that money, they can kind of suck and I'd buy them anyways.

For another $20-30 you can get the Outlaw, more durable, sealed bearings, convertible front and rear hub. Better deal IMO.

What does that mean exactly? Convertible hub? Does that mean it can be uses for Disc or Not or what?

What does that mean exactly? Convertible hub? Does that mean it can be uses for Disc or Not or what?

Convertible hubs means you can run different type of front axles without replacing the hub or the fork by way of an adapter. The hub itself is a Thru-axle 20mm diameter and it comes with an adapter that allows you to use standard 9mm Quick Release skewers. Also available to be purchased seperately is a 15mm TA that will allow you to use the front hub with a fork that is equipped with 15mm TA. What it boils down to is for the rider to be able to use one wheelset with variety of forks to his/her liking without purchasing a separate hubs for each let alone a full wheelset.

Speda, thank you. I was somewhat confused and thrown off by the use of that word. What your saying is, If I tend to switch out my forks for whatever reason and purpose this allows me to use the same wheels with pretty much any fork. correct?
Something to pay attention to of course, but not in my case particularly needed. Not yet anyways.

Not limited to the front hub...rear is convertible too.

http://www.oneal.com/catalog/images/3200-003_momaxel_large.jpg


Product overview

Features:
Strong enough to handle the biggest drops but light enough for XC rides
Double-wall design rim with a wide profile for extra strength and rigidity
36 spoke construction for added strength and pedaling efficiency
7075 aluminum rim construction
Front wheel converts from Q/R to 20mm front axle
Comes with conversion kit
135mm & 150mm Rear spacing

For another $20-30 you can get the Outlaw

Was supposed to be a 2nd wheelset for my XC hardtail. Outlaws seem a bit burley in this application. Plus I had centrelock rotors lying around. None of this probably applies to the OP.

Was supposed to be a 2nd wheelset for my XC hardtail. Outlaws seem a bit burley in this application. Plus I had centrelock rotors lying around. None of this probably applies to the OP.

And for you, sir, Cambriabike has a selection of CL wheelsets starting from under 120 bucks (http://www.cambriabike.com/shopdisplayproducts.asp?page=1&filter=yes)

It's okay, I already have the wheels, set up set up tubeless. I actually ordered a set of Ultegra road wheels at the same time, which would probably be sacrilege in the 41 since they are neither hand-built nor built with open pros.

Anybody have any opinions on these wheels?
http://www.jensonusa.com/store/product/WH272A01-Reynolds+Canyon+Wheelset+10.aspx

These are like Mavic's only prettier, $20. cheaper and over a pound lighter. If you aren't bombing downhills, these might be a solid choice.

http://www.bicyclewheelwarehouse.com/mountain/cross-country/xc-recommendations/dt-swiss-4-2-disc-/-pure-xcr-wheel-set/prod_94.html

Now that I ride a Scott I am a DT Swiss know it all homey!