robbyville

noodle soup

They are available through both, but about $300 less if I order direct. That'll go a long way toward discs, tires, and a cassette.

Rides4Beer

I went direct for that reason, worth the savings if you don't mind the wait. Plus you have more options for graphics and finishes if you go direct.

robbyville

Rides4Beer

No doubt! I'm not quite ready for that yet, maybe one day, for now I'll leave it to someone with more experience.

noodle soup

After doing the math, I'll probably buy them complete.

it would cost me...
$880 for the hoops, hubs,
$170 for spokes and nipples
$30 for valves and tape

$1080 to build myself (hubs, and spokes/nipples at dealer cost)

$941 to buy complete

noodle soup

Check out these hoops 56mm deep/30mm wide(23mm internal).

only 25g heavier + $4 more

robbyville

BigPoser

Those look pretty good. Either going the NA option or the Global. Under $700 with the Novatec hubs. These seem similar to Hunt wheels that I'm looking at as well.

Either are priced well for sure.

Rides4Beer

My 46's are built and on the way. I like their graphics, so I went with white to match the white graphics on my bike (had the valve decal done in stealth). They came in lighter than expected too, Sapim CX Rays with the Novatec hubs (30g lighter than my alloys).

I also did the new grooved graphene brack surface. Several people have had positive reviews, so I figured I'd give it a try. I do a fair amount of climbing and any help I can get in the braking dept will be welcome. I don't think it's listed on the build options if you're on the global page, but you can request it after you place the order.

noodle soup

Brass nipples?

What tires(tubes?) do you plan on using?

Rides4Beer

Sapim aluminum nipples. Going to run 25mm GP5000s with Conti Race Light tubes. These will be every day wheels so I wanted a fair balance of performance and durability. I've had good luck with the GP4Ks & Race Lights on my alloys, so I figured I'd give the 5Ks a try, they're supposed to be a little better in pretty much every category over the 4Ks.

noodle soup

according to their website, those should weigh 1420.84g not 1450g .

I'm only pointing this out because I ordered a wheelset form them Friday, and I wondered how accurate their weight estimate would be. They quote 1483.28g for the 56mm x 30mm(23mm internal) hoops with Novatec 411/412 hubs.

This wheelset will save 200g over the stock one, and be much deeper/wider.

Rides4Beer

Hmm, I was expecting around 1480-90g, maybe because I was looking at the 56's originally and had that number stuck in my head? I ended up going with the 46's because I didn't want to try to squeeze the wider rims into my brakes (they might have fit, but didn't want to push the limits). But doesn't matter to me, I'm quite happy with 1435g, they're deeper, wider and lighter than my alloys, so no complaints here.

GuitarBob

They looks great, let's hope they are! What was your total cost?

noodle soup

I was debating 46mm or 56mm as well. I went with 56mm, but I have disc brakes.

If these feel too wide for road use, I might buy a set of 46mm ones at a later date. The wide ones would work great on a true gravel bike.

I was considering buying ENVE SES 4.5 AR Disc wheels(at dealer cost), but I can get 2 pairs of these for less $$.

Marcus_Ti

Nice. Which hubs? I had Onyx laced to CX46s for my gravel build....love the silence.


One thing to be wary of that I found...if you do a PayPal or funds transfer, all is well. But their US distributor, for whatever reason farmed out the CC charging to their Canadian office. Ergo I owed a 1% international charge fee to VISA...which is really odd for a USA distributor, maybe they changed that oddity but don't be surprised when your VISA shows an "ISA" charge. They also just updated their site, and while they claim lower prices...reality after all is said and done, they're about the same or a smidgen higher.

Those were built back in December. Total bill was $1145.XX shipped.

Honestly, the USA distributor is offering an absolute steal on i9 or Onyx hubs...I'd skip the Novatec/Bitex and get the nicer hubs, actually I already did.

Rides4Beer

$700 including paypal fees, shipping, and the grooved graphene upgrade.


If I had discs I would have gone for the 56's too. I would have preferred a little deeper, but didn't want to have to go with a narrow width, I think the 46's will be good for all around use.

noodle soup

The 56mm with Novatec D411SB / D412SB(Disc) wheelset is $733.19 with tape and valves

I've had very good luck with Novatec hubs in the past, and the price is great, so I went with those.

Rides4Beer

I'm currently riding Novatec Jetfly alloys, and they've been great, so I didn't hesitate to go with the Novatec hubs. I like how quiet they are, and they roll very smoothly imo, I seem to descend faster than most people, not sure how much of that is the wheels, the aero frame, or my weight (185), or a combination of all factors. lol

BigPoser

Those really look good!

noodle soup

Am I correct to assume that Light Bicycle sent you these photos?

How long was it from the order date until they sent them?

Marcus_Ti

My set were from their US operation. Ordered Thanksgiving, wheels on my doorstep 10 calendar days later.

robbyville

All these look great and I hope that everyone has as much success with them as I have. Note, I don't believe that their North America Distributor is US based. They are in Abbotsford British Columbia, Canada hence the extra charge if you use a credit card. I suggest paypal to avoid. Looks like going the China route can save some dollars though, but I wanted the I9 hubs and mentally I felt better dealing with them should there be any warranty issues, problems, etc.

Rides4Beer, I hope you enjoy the new Conti 5000's, I just threw a pair of the tubeless variety on my wheels and so far really like the profile and grip. How are the textured brake tracks working out?

noodle soup

those look really nice. How close to the projected weight are they?