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Wheels of Fortune
I have no clue about TWE wheels.
However may I recommend something for you. All are based on Hope pro 2 hubs.
1.Hope Hoops. Available through CRC and Wiggle they are Hope factory wheels. The hubs are black and the fronts come with QR and 20mm kits included and QR 15 is available to do your own conversion. Rear is convertible from QR to 10mm bolt in, 10mm and 12mm bolt through. These conversions require the necessary parts, tools and know how. Rim choices are DT 4.2d or 5.1d. There is even a Pro 3 disc version. This type is thus far not available as a hub only and is QR only F & R. They feature straight pull spokes and are with DT 4.2d rims. These are a light weight item and are dear. The Pro 2 type are pretty good value.
2. Hope custom at CRC. Choose hub in your type and colour, and rim (I recommend Mavic XM719 or EN521) and CRC does it for you.
3. Hope custom at home. Buy the parts as separates and get your favourite wheel builder to do it here in Sydney.
Be patient with the currency yo-yo to get a better price and you'll get inside your budget with some cash left over to buy yourself an icecream for being so clever.
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I have a set of lightweight TWE custom wheels on the Rush (his own rims/rear hub/DT revolution spokes) and some custom from CRC on the 575 (Hope Pro 2, Mavic XM819 with DT Champion spokes).
The TWE wheels are light (1640g-ish - don't forget front has a lefty hub) and have stayed true very well. I'v put a flat spot in the rear though so these rims are quiet soft. They are also not 'true' tubeless rims but came converted for that use. I'm finding it harder and harder to get them to seal when changing but Greg (TWE dude) says this is nothing some cheap rubber rum tape won't fix.
I would have put Super Comp spokes in the CRC pair if that was an option at the time, but Champions add strength (I probably don't need) and weight so the pair come in around 1900g. I notice CRC are offering Comp DB spokes now, and with those the price for a pair is currently $565AUD. This is a bit more than I paid but is still very good. With those Comp spokes you might save 40g per wheel?
The CRC build seems good to me so far. I know Steve 01 also bought a wheel from them for the Gemini and you know how much punishment he dishes out!
I considered DT 4.2 rims which are lighter on paper than the XM819, but they need a tubeless conversion kit. The DT conversion kit is 40g claimed so after that there is basically nothing in the weight difference between Mavic XM819/DT4.2. Cupcake reckons DT rims are quiet soft so that went against them. I've also seen Gazza taco one on a night ride after brushing a root and have to say, that put me right off 'em!
Comparing your TWE wheelset to your CRC wheelset is like comparing an Anthem to a Faith...
Your CRC set are meant to be bullet proof aren't they?
If your main aim is a XC wheelset, but like to go and do all-mountain or DH type tracks, be prepared for regular servicing.
Oh... absolutely... the CRC Mavic set are meant to be bomb proof AM use, whereas the TWE set are for ligher XC use. Although when I bought the TWE set I told Greg I wanted something that could go anywhere (read - I want to have fun on GNR while riding Dirtworks - which I did on these). He reckons he has customers using the same 1640g wheelset on 575-like bikes doing 4-5 foot drops. Reckon you'd want some big fat tyres on if you were doing that, which would somewhat negate the point of such a light wheel.
Very recently I was about to purchase some new wheels, then the currency nose dived. So now I'm being patient.
I'll get the pro 2 hubs and rims separately and get my favourite wheel builder (Steve at Chain Reation Bicycles Cronulla) to build them. The rim will be Mavic EN521 as it's 2mm wider than XM719 and the EN moniker puts it in the enduro category with Mavic claiming it to be a tougher rim without being overly heavy. Plus tyres sit better on a rider rim.
I'd wager that this combo would suit most riders out there. The finished product would come it a respectable weight and price and will stay in good running order for a long time.
here's one for you mate. Im after the lightest set of cross country wheels i can get but for the best price. I dont want to fork out top dollar for slr's but was thinking about custom. I would like some blingy anodized hubs and maybe nipples. Im not worried about them being an all round rim as they're going on the epic which only gets used for xc racing. Any ideas anyone?
Pick 2...
You wouldn't go back to TWE Gaz or are you wanting to use different components altogether?
http://www.extralite.com/index_euro.htm
UltraDisc TNT 1220gr.(pair)
http://www.extralite.com/products/UltraDisc%20tn...
Pity it misses the third by so much, ouch!!
these look like good value, no idea on reliability though, the hubs apparantly arent very good according to some reviews i read.
http://www.cellbikes.com.au/p_490_AMERICAN_CLASS...
i run american classic wheels on my roadie and are very happy with them.
Thinking of getting a set of these or custom from TWE, i want 1500g or lighter, purely for xc use, no huge drop offs for me, and i only weigh 65kg so i am not too harsh on my equipment.
Don
I'm inclined to bang on about Hope yet again.
For a lightweight pair there is Pro 3 disc with straight pull spokes. Have a read on wiggle.co.uk They'll be 179 pound sterling and postage is free on orders over 100 quid! They come in at 1645 grams.
If you want colours then it'll be pro 2 and a custom build. I'd prefer this anyway and I'd use Mavic XC717 disc rims.
I do believe Whisperer has some Pro 2 hubs and Stans ZTR rims on his lightweight set?
Titanium spokes from Extralite... hmmmmmm....
Look at the Industry Nine gear too... *bling*
Thanks, Rob for moving the thread - was going to ask the question in a forum but...
Blimey. Talk about choice.
OK. Have decided that CRC is my option.
Will go the pro 2 hubs 32h (have to wait for the colour I want)
The DT comp stainless double butted spokes with the brass pro lock nipples
But unsure of rim choice- all of these would do me
Rim only price
719 - $76 (460 grams)
819 - $108 (450 grams)
EN521 - $61 (540 grams)
But given that I want to convert to tubeless, would the 819's suit better
or just go the EN's or 716's with a kit (cheaper/ wider/ stronger?)
All input is good. Thanks.
Want to make sure I get it right first time.
I have not embraced the tubless revolution as yet and remain relatively uninformed, however I'd reckon that if that's your bag then use the XM819 as it's the factory tubless rim. No mucking about, just fit tyre and ride.
I've a feeling that our very own Greg 'I love salad' Pike has these rims, so get his feedback.
Bloot... the XM819 are a true tubeless rim - no conversion necessary - you know it's the way to go.
gets away from gazza,s original post which was light weight race only.i had some mavic 819 on hope hubs that i sold to bernd which where a great wheelset super stiff but as heavy as so dont go down that road.try the american classics or for great value for money get the xtr fom crc.as light as the slr and 400 bucks cheaper.
more Mavic 819 discussion...over at MTBR.com
http://forums.mtbr.com/showthread.php?t=460652
or you could go with some red bling from Atomlab...
Rgds, Hans
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