Opinions wanted. XT wheels or custom build?

Shhh! - don't tell everyone, but you can get a set of XT 29er wheels for $300, versus $400 from CRC - http://www.bike-components.de/products/info/p336...

Can't comment on custom build vs. XT, but I do think Shimano wheels are very underrated. Ok, so they're not the lightest out there, and some don't like cup&cone bearings. But I've got two sets now (SLX and XT) and they are proper UST tubeless (so no messing about with rim strips, goo, and burping!), and run strong and true, whereas I've managed to bend every other wheel I've tried.

Peter, apart from my cracked freewheel (being replaced under warranty due to casting fault, not he wheel) I can't fault the XT's. I am 95kgs and ride some pretty ugly terrain and certainly don't ride in preservation mode. They have held true, I do not use sealant or rim strips, the tyres hold air and they spin well. For the price you pay I think they are great value for money

Hello,

I had exactly the same problem about a year ago, and I have decided to go for a handbuilt wheelset by Merlin Cycles in UK (http://www.merlincycles.com/handbuilt-wheels.html) - apparently, that shop has been voted as a winner for hand building wheel sets in UK mountain bike magazines for a while. This is what I got for my Anthem 29er and I am really pleased with it (although I do not run tubeless):

1 x Rear Handbuilt Hope 29er Wheels - Disc @ GBP 190.79
Hub Options & Upgrades: 1 x Rear Hub Hope Pro 11 135mm 10mm Bolt Thro
Rim Options & Upgrades: 1 x Rim Mavic TN719 Black - Disc 29er
Spoke Options & Upgrades: 1 x Spokes DT Competition S/S Black Hope

1 x Front Handbuilt Hope 29er Wheels - Disc @ GBP 119.13
Hub Options & Upgrades: 1 x Front Hub Hope Pro 11 15mm Disc Rim
Options & Upgrades: 1 x Rim Mavic TN719 Black - Disc 29er
Spoke Options & Upgrades: 1 x Spokes DT Competition S/S Black Hope

1 x Premium Delivery to Australia @ GBP 40.00 = GBP 40.00

As you can see it is very good value, and probably a stronger and lighter option than the factory built XT wheelset.

Zoltan

I've got a set of 2012 XT wheel set cheap enough to replace lite enough for my style & make a nice lite ratchet sound .i went through the same thought process building the niner air9 could of spent hundreds but went cheap on a set of Stan's crest they do the same thing & no big drama if they need replacing Id go chep unless your sponsored spending $1200 or more is crazy go CHEAP

Crests are now 85kg , I went with hope hoops from wiggle which have survived 4000k offroad, about $350 delivered , note hope build their crests wheel sets very tight - way over spec for the rims, but stiffer as a result. I was at the mont and broke a spoke, so used the bike shop tree to replace between laps- the muppets decided to true the wheel. The wheel felt different only slightly, but I couldn't figure it out. Anyway, only a hundred Kay's later, I span it, and it was already out of true again, so I got the tensioner out, and they had dropped the tension from an average 23 to an average 16 on the park tools (drive side) gauge.

I think stans recommend 80kgf, and these were built to 110 or higher originally . For sure go with the higher tension, the rims won't last 4 years at that tension, because the nipples will crack the rims (no eyelets), but they won't be so flexy, and you will spend 1/3 the time truing them.

The tension tool is worth it's weight btw. Hope would build more ( and they are hand built) crest wheelsets than anyone I suspect , and have figured out the best way to build em up

Thanks for the replies, people. Looks like XT is the way to go for the money.

Brian, I did initially think of going to TWE or someone similar but thought that $400 wasn't really a big enough budget. I have spoken to my LBS and they'll match the price of XT with CRC so at least my money is going to a local shop.

The centre lock XT ice tech rotors would be what I'd put on , Adaptors just add weight & negate the point of centre lock wheels.

Personally, I went for Hope Evo' s & Crest 's in 32hole last year as the hubs will run any of the current standard axle types & spares are easy to get hold of. If you're put off by the weight limit go for the slightly heavier Arch.

Btw, weight limits are only of limited value as wheels are generally damaged when excessive side loading occurs. A mate of mine who weight 75kg ruins both road & mtb wheels regularly due to his "mash it" pedaling style. Others do it by crossing up but not fully straightening out on jumps.
At 83kg my 29er wheels have been super reliable only needing a slight truing in a year but my light (1500g) 24spoke 26" wheels have bust a straight pull spoke & have required truing a couple of times. That's riding reasonably aggressively for xc, eg hitting everything on the Kalamunda circuit as fast as I dare.

T

How'd you manage that - Wiggle showing $412 a pair for me?

Ah Ok - MT75, I was assuming M785. Love those red nips

Yes, I genuinely like them - wasn't being sarcastic! Guess I should've used a smiley instead of a winkey!

And this is coming from someone who used to have red hubs, which even the guy in the LBS who sold them to me said, and I quote, "stood out like a dog's kn@b"

Stan, as Pete mentioned, he got a voucher for 12% off, so $366 minus $44

If you want codes, go to mtbr , there is a whole sub forum on discount codes