Covalent Jello

These Bontrager Race Disc rims that came stock on the Trek Fuel Ex 8 have never really stayed true, even after retruing.
I don't even do much to make them bend, at least I don't think so.
I'm almost 200 pounds so maybe that's it.

No idea what parameters to look for in a strong rim, I'd just like something to remain true!
So lets start with this one, what do you think and why? Is there a better alternative?

https://www.pricepoint.com/detail/195...Stiffy-Rim.htm

Model.......................................The Oohbah Stiffy
Diameter..................................26"
Number of Holes.......................32
Profile.......................................Oohbah reverse well with BeadNip
Width.......................................40mm (Outside-to-Outside)
Height:.....................................23mm
Material....................................6061-T6 Aluminum
Rim Joint Type..........................Sleeved & Bonded
Sidewall/Braking Surface...........Disc Only



My hubs are ok right now so I am hoping to just plop them into the new rims.

stapfam

Stock wheels and 200lbs do not mix.

I take particular care over my wheels and prefer to have them hand built. I have a couple of builders I use and they are not that expensive. But on the rims- that one you have chosen is a very wide rim so will it give enough clearance to the frame? It is not one I know either so won't comment on them but I always use Mavic rims. A Good name and although I use a full downhill spec rim on the Tandem- You should be able to find a lighter rim in a good known make such as Mavic to take your weight. Providing it is built right.

mtnbiker66

Really???? I have a cheap set of Specialized wheels on my hardtail and I have only had to tweak then every now and then. I have another set I was going to swap them out for but I haven't needed to. I'm pushing 200( sad but true) and I've used these wheels on all kinds of terrain with no problems.

Covalent Jello

Thanks for the info, I have never shopped for rims so the width is a good thing to keep in mind.
I'll have to find out what max rim width the bike can take.
You would think a wider width means a strong rim but maybe that is wrong
I've always heard of Mavics as being recommended by a couple friends
Im looking at my hubs and they only have 28 spokes though, so maybe the hubs I have wouldn't match up to a 32-spoke'r
Anyways thanks, that's a good start !

I mean, my stock rims are ok, they've lasted quite a while. But they really go out of true easily.
The biggest drops with no speed must be 3 feet, usually, maybe 4.
..For which I have been chastised, since this bike "isn't meant for that." Or so I was told.
Other than that it's 90% rock-laden trails but not straight downhill.

I also pop a lot of rear tires
Not sure if that' bc I need more pressure, the rims, or both.

mtnbiker66

Work on being smooth and fluid........be like water on the trail.

Covalent Jello

Yeah, I've realized that more and more lately, just like skiing or boarding, looking ahead to make it all flow

stapfam

I am only about 150lbs And never have problems with stock wheels either. Because I no longer use them. Handbuilts all the time. But I also maintain a mates bike and he weighs 220 lbs. The only wheels he can keeep for any length of time are LX or XT hubs with 36 spokes and a Freeride rim. The originals on his last bike lasted 3 rides before spokes started breaking- Had them replaced by Giant for a better wheel and they did not last long either.

He now has a new bike and he upgraded the wheels from new to Hope Pro hubs and freeride rims. So far no out of true and no broken spokes.- after a full winters riding

I know that it depends on how light you ride- but a heavy rider offroad can't always do this. One mistake and a wheel problem can swiftly follow. Even with my light weight and Handbuilt wheels- I still have to retrue rims that have gone oval or have a wobble in them.

Covalent Jello

When I go to pricepoint to sort by rim type it lets me do Mountain or Road.
Im wondering if 'freeride' a subtype of Mountain rims or are the words freeride/mountain used interchangeably?

electrik

Man who catch fly with chop-stick bunny-hop anything.

edit: don't buy expensive rims to just trash em, i would get the $30 rhyno lites

Covalent Jello

I am wondering why some $30 rhyno lites would be as good a purchase as the $80 spankers.
I mean if I can get something for $30 thatll hold up to 200lb why not right....granted the spanks have that pretty green =P

bikinfool

First, the rims you mention are 32h, yet you say your current hubs are 28h (you sure both f/r are 28h?). I'd think a xc race 28h wheelset is a bit light for what you're doing with those drops. The wheels may have been machine built and not well tensioned which may be part of it as well. Not being smooth is part of it. Rather than buy some heavy wide rim like that fugly green Spank rim and do some goofy build with 28 spokes, I'd say sell your current wheels and just get a more appropriate wheelset. A wheelset with Mavic EN321 rims in 32h with decent hubs won't cost all that much. What is your budget? You planning to build your own wheels? What size tires do you want to run?

mtnbiker66

The Mavic 321 is a great choice. I have a set of 321Ds on my Enduro and they've been outdtanding.

Covalent Jello

Hey bikinfool, thanks for helping me think this out.

Both rims on the bike have 28 spokes
My tires are 26" by 2.3"
So I understand my current hub/spoke setup wouldnt work on those beautifully-toned green spanks and if I want 32 i need new hubs.

I don't know what building my own wheels entails, but I have no truing machine, so the LBS would do the final truing if I could put it together initially?
But at this point I would get new hubs, and new spokes, new rims, keeping the same tires.

80 per rim is the absolute limit. 50 per rim is much more doable of course.
Question is, will that 80 buck rim benefit me in terms of strength/quality better than the mavic....
I already know the color makes me smile. But I can't give in just because of that, the whole point of this strong, lasting rims.
Weight of the rims is not a pressing issue to me at this point.

I'm under the impression more spokes = more strength so 32 is probably what I am shooting for as opposed to 28.

There are just a lot of diff. rim shapes, different widths, different spoke counts...I don't know what a lot of it means.
But it would seem a wider rim is better, with more spoke counts, and of course Mavic is a good name out there, apparently.
The rest comes down to how they manufacture the rims, and what they are made of, and whether it'll fit my bike.
That's what I'm going on for now, aside from bright neon green bouncing around the inside of my skull !

mtnbiker66

Grab these ...quick!

https://cgi.ebay.com/Shimano-LX-Mavic...item5886a40466

Covalent Jello

Damn! Lost the bid! $50 looked nice. Then it was 65. Then 80. Then it ended around 100 something.
I was trying after a quick lookup of the hubs. My heart's racing. Love ebay. Haha.

How's it go...is LX is better than XT, right? Deore is the worst? Haven't thought about this stuff in a while.
I really shouldnt buy anything though until I can figure out what width I am aiming for and what materials/designs are strongest etc.
I mean I have to go on something,..I shouldnt buy Mavics blindly just like I shouldnt those sexy glowgreen spank hoolahoops

bikinfool

No, there are models below Deore level as well, but the hierarchy going up is Deore, LX, SLX, XT, XTR. A complete wheelset usually can be had for cheaper than the components even if you build your own. Building isn't hard, just tedious. Check out Mike T's wheelbuilding info https://miketechinfo.com/new-tech-wheels-tires.htm. The truing "machine" can be as simple as a fork and a zip tie, but it's mostly you.

Bicycle Wheel Warehouse also offers good wheels, try looking at these https://bicyclewheelwarehouse.com/ind...&productId=102, and look around at some of their other offerings, too.

santiago

That Ebay listing was by Mountain High Cyclery in Colorado. Larry is a favourite vendor of many people here and I highly recommend you shoot him an email and explain your situation. Perhaps he has another set of those wheels he can sell you for a good price. The web page is: https://www.mtnhighcyclery.com/

Covalent Jello

THanks I figured someone knew them. I have a good amount of research to do.
If Im going to spend money on new hubs and rims they better be good and last a while! So I need to explore that end I think.

santiago

As others have written here, a decent set of Shimano hubs on a decent rim (Mavic recommendations are good), handbuilt by someone who knows what he is doing will make the world of difference.

I had a set of Deore wheels on some Sun Ringle wheels that served their purpose on a Kona hardtail that I used for mountain biking. I then replaced that bike with another but re-used the wheels on a very heavy Surly Big Dummy that I rode around town. I would only hop sidewalks in my bike (it weight over 50lbs) but in one of my first rides with it I popped 3 spokes. I took the wheels in to my favourite local shop, the relaced the wheels (same hubs and rims) with better spokes and I haven't had that problem since.

electrik

On a side note, anybody tried a sun-ringle equalizer 23 28h?

Dannihilator

The Rhyno Lites are tough.

Glynis27

I have a set of wheels I built up with green Spank Subrosa rims. I liked them so much that I'm building a second set right now. If you really want green Spank rims, they can be found cheaper. Mine were $63/ea at Universal Cycles for the first set. The most recent ones were $35/ea on clearance.

Covalent Jello

Thanks for the input glynis, that helps, I wasn't sure if the spanks were some random rims or actually good. I'm still pretty undecided but -

How heavy are you
What kind of bike?
And what kind of riding do you do?

35 each on clearance, compared to 80, that's pretty crazy!

Glynis27

Remember, I got the 30mm wide Subrosa/Tweet Tweet rims. You were looking at 40mm wide Stiffys. I doubt you will need something as big as a 40mm, but I don't know.
I'm 160lbs including gear. I ride a hardtail (click Vagrant in my profile) on rocky/rooty singletrack. Also some urban and Ray's riding. I don't go very big (3-4'), but love to ride the rocks.

I built the wheels in November '08 (first ever wheel build) and ride at least once a week. They still don't need trued. Haven't had any crashes that were too bad and no sideways landings.

The Spank rims may not be the world's best rims, but they aren't bad. I've had zero problems. They also come in great colors and hold the tire on really well. I wouldn't spend $80 on them though. I feel that most rims are pretty good. It mostly comes down to how well they are built.

stapfam

Freeride may be a UK term- but You have XC use- just standard type wheels for MTB's on normal Offroad use. Then you have Downhill where everything has to be heavy duty to take the knocks. In between is a "Freeride" use where things have to be heavier duty and stronger than XC- but don't need the real heavy duty that Downhill requires.