So I’m thinking about wheels. I could probably figure this out between myself and the internet but I want to sling this out there to see what ideas others come up with.
Spec me a disc CX wheelset.
For everyday riding, mostly on road but a fair amount of dirt, mud and water. I want strong wheels that will last a long time (doesn’t everyone?) but I also want light weight as much as possible. Must have disc hubs and I guess wider than usual rims?
Let’s say the budget for discussion purposes is $1000.
I’m a big fan of White Industries so I’d probably start with:
WI MI6 32h Rear CX Disc hub with Ti body
WI MI6 32h Front Disc hub
That leaves around $550 for rims, spokes and labour. But where to from there? Would you stick to 32H or go lower spoke count? Carbon rims feasible for that price?
Or would you spend less on hubs and more on rims?
NikC, Blakey, everybody, hit me with some good ideas and the obvious things I totally ignored.
I’d seriously consider tubeless rims - the Stans 340s are rad and really light. Good protection against pinchflats but probably more reliable for longer rides out in the bush.
Spoke count depends on your weight/riding style and rim profile. I’m riding a 24/28 set up on my road version and I weigh 82kg - they are plenty stiff enough.
Can’t comment if the fact that you run discs means you need more spokes.
I built up a set of these and think they’re a smart design, optimum weight and well balanced for most riding. But as Snowflake is running disc’s on both hubs he might be after a disc specific rim. I don’t have any riding or building experience with some of the newer disc rims … would like to but I lag behind.
H+SON Archetype. Just to throw a spanner in the works. Been emailing with H+SON over the last few weeks. They aren’t far off release maybe 2 weeks. Drilling 20, 24, 28, 32. Cross between a HED Belgium and a CXP 12. 450g/Rim. Much like the A23 and H+SON tb14 they are 23mm in width. Should have these shipping to AUS as soon as they finish up the first run. Defs no more then $100/ rim i should think. I believe Gene was running the Tb14 rims this CX season just gone and they held up great. I can’t really weigh in with CX debate much as i don’t own a CX bike nor ridden one on a proper ride.
Weight weenies list spoke weights for various lengths, pick a drilling and alloy or brass nips and add that up together with rim & hub weight. Then compare tubeless rim / rim strip / sealant to non tubeless, normal rim strip, tube.
i’ll definitely +1 the tb14s, but if you can find a disc specific rim (maybe some 29er rims - you dont run anything less than a 35 normally do you?) that will be better. more chance you can go tubeless too. i’m sure the MTBers can chime in with some good 29er rim suggestions.
i have heard good stuff about the stans rims… but the 340s look skinny (20mm width) compared to the belgiums/tb14s/A23s. the extra width is a big benefit when running wider tyres, especially at lower pressures (like you would be doing). im sure they have a good 29er rim.
i do like the look of the HED belgiums as well… if you want to stay with clinchers (a light tyre and tube combo will bring you closer to tubeless weights with a 29er rim).
Velocity A23’s are a lot cheaper than the HED’s.
Agree tubeless would be worth considering
29er MTB wheelset would work but you wouldn’t be able to go below 32c yeah?
Doesn’t anyone rate Chris King hubs anymore? More than you’d like to spend snowflake but quality stuff and fully rebuildable. Aspire have very good prices on full Chris King wheelsets. No road rim/disc hub combo on their site but I’m sure they can build one for you. Even with the shipping costs, their wheels come in around $1000.
I reckon the Ck hubs have HEAPS of chain suck cos of all the engagement points in the freewheel. Means your drive side stay gets banged up something chronic.
Hope hubs on Blunt SLs. I just built a set of 29er wheels that were Hopes (SS/Trials rear) on Sun EQ25s and lovin’ them.
If I did this again I’m thinking I would go Blunt SL (nice colour options) or Stan Crest & tubeless.
