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Wheelset / Handlebar and Stem
Hi all,
Well after an unfortunate events on the weekend, and a very lucky outcome to my bike falling of a mates bike rack on the M4. I think being midnight and not much traffic played a part in my bike being relatively in one piece.
(Bike is 2009 stump jumper elite)
The problem, i am in the Mont on Saturday/Sunday and I am in need of some replacement parts for my bike. I was hoping to get these alot cheaper but i am strapped for time so I will be going thru the local bike shop.
I was hoping for some feedback/advice on good wheel-sets, i am only in need of a front wheel (has to be totally replaced) and i am looking at getting one that is UST ready. I have not done much research on these parts before so any help would be appreciated. I was looking at the Mavic 717/819 rims, (i am not sure if these come on a factory made wheel as i think i need to get a factory wheel as time is precious). Are there any wheels people can point me in the direction off?
Also Handle bars and stem, i have no idea what is a good brand or what to look at. I was happy with what came with the bike, but i need to look elsewhere. Thoughts?
Appreciate any help.
Regards
Aaron
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happy to loan you a stem (100mm race face) and a Mavic 317 front wheel with 6" Avid disc if you're really stuck. May give you some time to plan / source bits without having the Mont as a deadline.
So this is all to be used for XC?
My Anthem has Mavic 317 rims, which are excellent for the purpose. Very light, moderately strong and not too expensive. You can get better of course, but you pay double+ for that. Mavic 819 rims are well thought of as well.
Just about any stem will do. Race Face, Truvativ, Thomson, Easton, Funn, Hope, etc are all great brands. They don't make sh*tty product. Any local bike shop should sell brands like that, so that should inspire confidence in your purchase. Do some brief net research and come to your own decision. Make sure your stem length is the same as before (e.g. 90mm, etc).
Most brands like that make handlebars as well, so the same logic goes with that too. Narrow bars are best for XC (about 640-660mm) while wide bars are best for AM (>680mm+). You probably want "low rise" handlebars for XC. That is about 1 inch of rise. Some people like flat bars, but I don't like those.
For bling factor, it never hurts to match/accessorise your brands, and some extra colour is good too. Not everthing needs to be silver or black.
Thanks for the generous offer, I am hoping i can get this sorted by Thursday by the bike shop. I know i will be fine for the Stem/Handlebars, i have already scoured some reviews, looking at getting race face dues bar/stem which I am confident my bike shop can get in time.
The front wheel is probably a different issue, i will have to talk to them and find out more. I am fairly sure my front wheel was/is using an 8inch rotor currently. I am new to riding and don't know how easy adjustments are for this.
Yeah us used for XC. I ride Ourimbah, Awaba and Manly mostly.
With the replacement wheel(s) I say wheels as I will replace the back in time to a UST ready wheel. That was my thoughts on going the 717/819.
I am considering this was looking at getting Red or White rims for the front now, however i cannot seem to find many wheelsets/rims that come in these colours, anyone know of a good brand that does this, whit possible first hand experience to their quality?
They do all sorts of rims in a wide variety of colours, but would require an appropriate rim strip to make it tubeless-compatible.
As long as the rim could be converted I am not to fussed about a UST ready rim. It would be more convenient, but also they seem to get heavier. Currently i run tubes so there is no huge issues there.
FWIW, I have 2 UST wheelsets:
- One with converted rims that was done ghetto style, but by someone who'd done it a zillion times.
- One with proper UST rims (XM819s).
I have to say, if you are even vaguely considering UST (and you should - tubeless sets hardly ever puncture) then reckon you'd be far better off going for a proper UST rim up front than going the other route and trying to convert later.
Don't get me wrong - the conversion does work, but is a PITA to get to air-up, especially now the rims are getting a bit old.
As for weight - the XM819 are quoted 450g, an XC717 is quoted 395g. However, a conversion kit will weigh in 50-60g anyhow (CRC says the Joe's one is 65g and sure I've seen the DT one quoted around the same). Ghetto/Stans conversion is probably a little lighter due to being tape based.
So comparing Mavic/DT Rims + conversion kit against a proper UST rim like the XM819 is a no-brainer. Weight saving can probably only be had if you've got an 'exotic' rim - something like the Stans Olympic perhaps?
The XM819 is an all mountain rim, it's a shame they can't do a lighter, XC version mind.
Thanks for the info Rob.
I am not To worried about the weight difference, Do you know if there are many problems running a Non-UST specific try as tubeless on the 819 rims? I currently use Maxxis tyres both front and back fairly new, They are the mid range version (not ust, not exception)! Wanted to know if these can be run as Tubeless as well without to many problems.
I run the mavic XM819 rims with standard tyres (maxxis crossmark and monorail) with stans sealant. I have had this for about 3 months now and have had no problems. I was in the same situation as you, got the new rims and had new standard tyres from the old wheelset.
Hope Pro 2, or XTR?
Anyone with experience one or both of these with any know issues/ or good comments on them?
Go the Pro 2... unless you don't like the loud clicking in the rear
Fronts are easily converted between 9mm QR, QR15 and 20mm.
Anyone compared the weights? I can't see the XTR would be significantly lighter or offer more points of engagement. Perhaps the rear might have slightly less resistance than a Pro 2?
rob beat me to it! go the hope pro 2
As recommended by Rob and Delicious over a year ago now
XM819's with Hope pro II hubs
Never had the hubs serviced and still running smooth
Given some stick to the rim and it's never complained
I run a LUST ignitor and crossmark combo
Only problem was with a larsen TT LUST on the rear, I ripped out the side wall
The larsens seem to be not as durable
And I can use a floor pump - still needs a little effort
Unless it's a really long ride, I'm even out of the habit of carrying tubes
The LUST are stronger in the sidewall and the combo I have can really cop some abuse
I'm not too fussed by weight - I prefer strength
I got this whole set up from CRC and was cheap by comparison to local
Anyone going this way, make sure to get the spokes tensioned after a couple of rides
Awesome advice, Thanks heaps guys!
I was leaning towards Hope Pro II.
Although UST is a nice standard to have, you'd be better off (in my opinion) in going for Stans rims. They make a few rims and the are designed to set up as tubeless - whether the tyre is a UST or not. Just decide on your type of riding and run with it. They even make them in white.
www.notubes.com
The advantage of these is that its a ton easier to set them up as tubeless with non-UST tyres (if you ever want to do that - e.g. try a tyre that isnt available as tubeless), they are also nice and light - even if you go for their heaviest rim.
They build up light, stay true (assuming the build is good) and are no more expensive than Mavic.
Go the ProII hubs - they are great value given their quality, and the ability to convert the front to 20mm if wanted....
After getting some stupidly expensive qoutes from my lbs for everyone.
I was wondering if people had good experience with CRC, also if i wanted stans rims who would you get them off/built up at a good price.
Usually get my orders in around 5 working days
If you buy a wheelset from them, as I said above
Get the spoke tensions checked out after a few rides
When I was searching, TWE custom wheels were very good
And I looked for Stans rims at a reasonable price as well
But in bang for buck terms, I'm happy with the decision I made
Thomson X4 stem (your length & angle)
Easton Monkeybar lite XC (carbon)
ODI lock-on grips
Swiss 340 rims on ProII HUBS (that hub sounds like no other!)
CRC excellent prices, quick delivery
I have had quick and slow, very slow and very very slow deliveries with CRC.
I'm still awaiting delivery of an order I placed on the 26th of feb!
Ordered a Hope Pro 2 with Stans flow rim for $230 delivered and it was here in less than a week.
Do Wiggle do free wheel builds? CRC Do with any hub/rim combo. Even it you can't find the combo in their 'custom wheels' page they told me to just make a note on the order and they would build anything. The 'custom wheels' page seem to have a small discount on individual parts mind.
Bloot said to check the wheels after couple of rides, and this is good advice, but I must have been lucky as the set on the Yeti (XM819 + Pro2 built by CRC) have never needed any attention and are still nicely tensioned and true after (checks blog)... wow... almost 18 months.
BTW - you can pay a small 'express' fee at Wiggle (6 bucks or something) that lets you jump the normal queue and should get your stuff dispatched the same day. Think last time I did that it was here within 4 days.
I've also ordered from Jenson in the US on a Friday and had the parts Monday, although Jenson don't do free shipping, there are certain parts available there that CRC don't have, they can be cheaper too, they have the excellent XC Monkeylite bars mentioned above (2008) for around $82AUD, whereas the 2009 are $128AUD at CRC.