You are hereForums / By Discipline / Mountain (off road) / MTB Gear / Not so flash wheel
Not so flash wheel
NB: Originally posted elsewhere on the Global Riders Network and appears via syndication.
Went for a cruizey two laps of manly dam on saturday, after 1st lap i noticed a very loose spoke, so i tightened it, then checked again after lap two, and TWO spokes were loose,nearly undone.! The wheel is a Red Metal 3. and i aint a heavy rider, and dont think i was going too hard. This wheel has been dissapointing. What tough wheel should i get next.?
[Mod. moved to MTB gear]
- Login to post comments
- Bookmark & share
Tags
Mavic or DT Swiss..
Dependant on your riding style, I reckon the Mavic 819's I have on my Marin are awesome! Or you could go some Crossmax ST's. Give us some more info about what you want from the wheel and we can help a bit more.
Do you want a tubeless ready rim, a complete wheelset, or just rims to go with specific hubs. What riding will you be doing on them. What bike as axle type and size can and does determine wheel types/models.
I little heavier than the ultra-light XC wheels but bloody tough and full UST
Crossmax ST's all the way, best upgrade I've done to my bike
my Fulcrum Red Zones, been very reliable, I don't treat them very well and I'm 88kg. Disappointing about your Red Metal 3's, only heard good things about fulcrum wheels.
tough rim, not to heavy and very good tubeless
Was lookin at buying a set of those Light wheels....
I am riding with a heavy XM117 rim and shimano hub. must weigh 2kg.
Was going to try the Pro Lite XC Allien because they are racey light and cheap.
Hey. Ring Greg at TWE wheels. He'll discuss your bike, riding style, and even terrain.
Then he'll build you the most awesome set of wheels, by hand, at a great price.
He'll look after them if they ever 'loosen' (which they wont), and he makes his entire living by doing this, working pretty much only on reputation.
He still has more work than there are hours in the day.
Seriously, the wheels are roughly 1 trillion times better than machine built, mass produced, wheels. There is also nothing like supporting a dying art, and a local tradesman.
p.s. I dont work for him, ride for him, or am in any way connected to him.
http://www.twebikewheels.com.au/
I have owned two sets of crossmax wheels that came on new bikes.
I would never buy them though. You can get a stronger lighter better wheel for less money.
If you have ever seen inside there hubs they are just cheap and nasty.
The free hub runs on a nylon bush which wears out quickly. The hubs are rubish.
If you ever need to replace a rim they are expensive in comparison to most other brands and the spokes are around $9 each.
In short stay away from Mavic Crossmax wheels
I have 2 mavic flat blade spokes for sale & a spoke key too suit they are for the rear one for each side drive & non drive .
Hi Victor
Check out Easton Haven (21 mm rim width, XC/AM) or Easton EA 90XC (19 mm, XC).
I've researched them and read good reports, they are full UST, very light @ 1500 grams, but still sturdy enough for heavier riders. Craig runs the 26'er Haven's on the SC Blur, I have the 29'er XC's on the Tallboy - and I'm 88 kg's. No problems so far.
You can find a set of 26'er Easton Haven's online for ~ $ 600.
http://youtu.be/kpBXhxZuQ0k
VC, Im with antsonline give Greg TWE and local industry a go.
Am I missing something or is everyone throwing the baby out with the bathwater here?
What about having someone look at your Fulcrums - maybe they just need to be properly tensioned etc.
+1 Antsonline
I've been quite lucky in that I took up the sport and have been surrounded by a few old industry heads and elite riders so have always had good advice. One thing I keep hearing is wheel building is an art form and there are a few old guys who do it by feel and the secret to a good set of wheels is how they are put together.
I had a few sets of ZTR Olympics built by one such guy who used to work at Dirtworks. At the time 3yrs ago I guess they cost me plenty at $2200/set but in all that time I've never had to tension a spoke. Last year I had a large branch go through my front wheel only 5km into the Husky Enduro. I did the next 95km with 2 spokes missing and 2 taped to other spokes. I remember claiming those aerolite spokes are awesome as the wheel didn't even get the slightest wobble but my mates all agreed it was due to the the fact they were built by someone who knows his craft.
Sounds like the guy at TWE is one of those craftsman the industry seems to be lacking.
What a great response guys......thanks for your time. I had been recommended this wheel by a local shop, and spent what i thought was a fair amount on it.I have had it back in the shop twice to tension, straighten and once when the deraileur went thru it.
I'm not really lookin at tubeless, i run a Maxxis Larsen Downhill on the rim, and dont get punctures, but the wheel cops it all. I will consider all your advise and see where i go from here. Firstly it will go back to the shop to replace the two spokes first.
Thanks for your response, .......keep biking.........vc