Zan

maybe in the market for a new wheelset. i want to do a little research. i use the forums as research.

--1--

tubeless v tube? is it that tubeless = lighter, but more $$$, while tube = heavier but less $$$? any other significant differences?

--2--

i know i can't get a wheelset that is "cheap, strong, light," and that i can only pick two. say if i wanted cheap + light, what do you recommend? i'm a light rider (130 lbs + 10lb backpack + 30lb bike = 170lbs total), so i doubt "strong" is an issue for me, esp. since i mostly do XC. still, these won't break if i decide to take a 4' drop, right?

looking to fit a tire between 2.1" - 2.4". say my budget is under 500$

--3--

is it better to go hand built (i choose hub + spokes + rim), or is it better to just for a common wheelset? i'm talking about if a custom wheel is cost-effective.

--4--

the effect of rotational weight is more significant in the rim, since it's further from the rotational point, thus making it require more force to do a revolution, right? this means that a relatively light rim and a heavier hub is better than a relatively heavy rim and light hub?

--5--

other than the weight of the hub, are there other things i should worry about, such as special features that improve efficiency, or something?

thanks for your patience and answers!

mcoine

I built some wheels for about $450.. hope pro2 hubs, Dtswiss butted spokes, alloy nipples, dtswiss rims.. like 1650 grams for the pair. I built them myself, so they have been quite durable. I would say under $500, this is about the best xc wheelset you can get.

santiago

The way I see the tubed vs tubeless difference isn't about the weight difference. There is no weight savings once you factor in the goop and rim strips of a tubeless setup. The benefit with tubeless is that you can run lower tire pressure than you normally would.

I'd go custom, hand-built with a budget of $500. I'd look at Mavic XC 717 rims with Hope hubs like mcoine.

Zan

doing the math it looks like for the first 500 grams, about 1$/gram removed off the wheelset.

looking at:
Mavic XC 717 rims
Hope Pro2 hubs
+ spokes

am i looking at spending about 65$ on spokes + nipples?

edit:

well it would appear we arrived at the same conclusion!

theextremist04

https://bicyclewheelwarehouse.com/ind...&productId=155

Not necessarily that color, but those wheels are getting rave reviews over at MTBR.

PlatyPius

https://www.cambriabike.com/shopexd.a...+BIKE+WHEELSET

mtnbiker66

That white on white is raw!

the_don

UST compatible rims require no goop or no rim strips and there is a weight loss.

UST tires have slightly thicker side walls for extra durability and support. They still come in lighter than normal tires with tubes, unless you use really thin ones which are much more likely to pinch flat or tear when you are slipping the tire over the rim.

As you said, you can also run lower pressures for extra traction.

If you are building a set, UST is a great idea and the price difference in UST rims is tiny.

You can get a lot for $500, look at the Shimano m775 wheelset for a good prebuilt wheel. Custom made it nice because you can choose the colours to match your bits for extra bling!

pinkrobe

+1 on this setup, or something similar with Mavic XC717 rims. www.chainreactioncycles.com can build a set and have them shipped to your house for well under $500 all in. I have two wheelsets from them - they do nice work.

stapfam

All my MTB wheels are hand built but a cheaper alternative is to use XT hubs.

Zan

checked out the other wheelsets there... the one you chose and the one just one level 'bove it would be the ones i choose.

white rims, white hubs, white frame bike, silver fork. i think the white wheels would go!

those wheels weigh in at 1612 grams for 360$.
the level up weigh in at 1565 grams for 395$.
the mavic 717 rims w/ hope pro 2 hubs w/ spokes weigh in at ~1550 grams for 499$.

current wheelset weighs in at about 2134 grams...

i wonder if it's worth spending 360$+ to save just 500 grams of weight. how significant is this weight savings compared to dead weight? would you say it's worth the money?

edit:

it would appear they can't ship to my area, though.