What is a good mtn bike wheelset?

[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.