What is a good mtn bike wheelset?

[itself]

Just curious what is a good solid, lightweight wheelset for mtn bikes.

Thanks

Lisa

[Aggie_Ama]

What price range are you looking at? Do you want to purely light or is durability a factor? I can ask my husband, he is a total tech geek for mountain bike stuff.

[crazycanuck]

No idea if you can get JetBlack products in the states but these might be worth a shot..(I bought them because I wanted two sets was attempting to stay with a budget...)

http://www.jetblackproducts.com/categories/A/A16

Crank Bros wheels are supposed to be good too..http://www.crankbrothers.com/wheel_cobalt.php (probably cheaper in the northen hemisphere!)

[tzvia]

When i went searching for the very same thing last year, I came across http://www.bicyclewheelwarehouse.com...ewCat&catId=38. Lots of people at MTBR.COM with a version of this wheelset and liking them, and I started looking at my options. I ended up having a scandium PURE XCR wheelset made up with CX-Ray spokes and their PURE hubs. Just under 1400gr for the set! I had to swallow hard however, as it was almost $900 bucks! Ouch. With less expensive spokes and the non-scandium rims, it is quite a bit less, and weighs more, but it is still a great wheelset. For MTB, i am not sold on low spoke count. These rims are 32/32 and very stiff. Also been dead true and not a moment's problem (except for the credit card).

At first, I was looking at Mavic stuff, but was not happy with what I saw by comparison. So I had bought the Easton XC-One wheelset, but found the bearings to have less than stellar seals after the cassette would not engage (wheelset was about 8months old). Had to take it all apart. Dirt had invaded the mech, and the locking pawls were all stuck in and I spent my riding time cleaning it all out. From now on, I pick my stuff and have it made to order. Got to order the hubs and nipples in the color I wanted (blue) and the wheels are stunning. And the best part- standard parts. No odd funky 10+ dollar each spokes that have to be special ordered or stuff that has to be sent out for service or hubs that require expensive tools to service.

[Becky]

I'm a big fan of handbuilt wheelsets with standard parts. Like Tzvia says, no $10 spokes that take 2 weeks to come in. I'm getting ready to build a wheelset (or pay someone else to- the jury's still out on my courage level!), and it will be XTR M975 hubs with Mavic 717s or DT XR400s for rims (recommendations here?). Should come in just under 1800 g, depending on spoke choice, and will be plenty light for me.

DH had a set of road wheels built by Bicycle Wheel Warehouse, and is very happy with them. IMO, they're a good choice if you don't have anyone local who builds wheels.

[crazycanuck]

I might just have to do a search for a wheel builder down my way...Would love some but wonder about the cost...

[Aggie_Ama]

A lot of the local racers use Industry Nine wheels or Crank Brothers Cobalts.

[SheFly]

A lot of the local racers use Industry Nine wheels or Crank Brothers Cobalts.

I have a set of the Industry Nines that i got as a bday present from DH last year (yes, I am spoiled). These are NOT inexpensive, but the ARE light and have been great for racing and riding. Mounted studded tires to them this winter for ice/snow riding and didn't have a problem.

I REALLY wanted the ones with pink spokes, but that was out of my price comfort zone, so I have the black .

SheFly

[gnat23]

+1 for Industry Nine

I switched from the stock DT Swiss-es that came on my bike to the I9 Ultralites and went tubeless at the same time: dropped a pound off each wheel. My riding, yes, improved dramatically.

And that hub! Oh my goodness, the engagement is instantaneous.

They are *not* cheap, but I have never never never regretted the purchase.

-- gnat! (the pink spokes make you go faster, too)