Mountain Biking - wheelsets

i've been riding consistently the last 3 months on a few local paved bike paths on my '10 trek 4500. recovering from a badly broken foot in may, i have healed enough and was bored with 15 miles on the bikepaths so i ventured off onto some moderate single track kansas river area hillsides. had a blast. alot like riding the loop with my now retired trials bike (montesa cota 315r). this winter with ice and snow the bike paths will be the best option but right now, the single track beckons.
can't justify a 2nd bike and with any wet, the serfas vermin compromise tires i'm now riding will be inadequate. i was wondering how practical it would be to have a second wheelset to swap for the bike path times and the single track times. i have the hydraulic disk brakes. any thoughts? how can you tell if a wheel will fit the 4500 with hydarulic brakes?

Your question is a perfect one for the LBS. I have learned so much from my local owner (Rich of Great Basin Bicycles in Reno). There are many good ideas out there waiting to implement, for example, I have an extra full on equipped rear wheel with a "roller tire" that I put on my touring road bike....and it becomes an indoor training bike for Winter. The street rear wheelset (including 10 spd cassette) hangs in my garage all Winter. Good luck on what you decide to do.

I presently have 3 wheelsets for my hardtail and 2 each for my CX and DH bikes.

So yes, I think it is a practical alternative to (yet) more bikes.

thanks. it sounded like a good idea. in my research of wheelsets on the component sites there is little description beyond rim size and disc or no so i/m assuming they're fairly interchangeable. i'll continue to look.