XC wheelset options...

[nickf]

Good stopping power, no noise. Brakes sram level ult with organic pads.

How do you find the stopping power on those Ashima rotors? I'm looking for lighter weight 6-bolt options to swap out for my XT's and have been thinking about these very rotors.

I just switched to the Ashima rotors also. Same stopping power as before and just as quiet. I'm running semi-metallic pads at the moment. They do seem to bend easily but that's not an issue once they are set up. I had a hell of a time getting them on my centerlock to 6 bolt adapters. The holes on the Ashima rotors are extremely precise.

[alber84]

Do not you have vibrations when braking with the ashima?

[02GF74]

Do not you have vibrations when braking with the ashima?

I did especially on the front and found they were poor for stopping. (I'm not a 60 kg racing whippet).

Got rid of them, I'm sticking with hope saw and Deckas brand.

[scant]

Do not you have vibrations when braking with the ashima?

I'm sticking with hope saw and Deckas brand.

I normally use Hope without issue. I just googled Deckas as i'd never heard of them. do they perform as reliable as the Hope rotors?

[jcrr]

@addict and @Klaster_1 Nice wheel builds, both of you!

Seemingly cheap 29in wheels that can be seen on fleabay may be a consideration. For example:

1250g https://www.ebay.com/itm/Ultra-light-12 ... 2446600361
Basic specs:
Rim: non-descript, 28mm width, 28H
Hubs: Novatec D411SB D412SB J-bend
Spokes: Sapim CX-ray

1490g https://www.ebay.com/itm/29ER-light-car ... 2998013210
Basic specs:
Rim: non-descript, 30mm width, 28H
Hubs: DT SWISS 350 straight pull
Spokes: Pillar 1423

My question, and pardon me if it's obvious: For lighter XC riders (60kg) who aren't hucking things, what is/are the weak link in wheelsets like the above?

[TheRich]

Rim width on the first set, and the hubs.

I'd gladly pay a small weight penalty for wider ID and DT Swiss hubs, even if they are the heavier 350s.

[jcrr]

@TheRich -thanks for the insight.

Just wanting to be better informed- What in your opinion is it about those novatecs that would make them less than ideal? That the bearings, even if replaced with quality cartridges, are too small for XC demands, regardless of rider weight and conditions?

I agree about the quality of DT Swiss- I have 180s/240s on a cyclocross set that just keep on working as new.

[02GF74]

Do not you have vibrations when braking with the ashima?

I'm sticking with hope saw and Deckas brand.

I normally use Hope without issue. I just googled Deckas as i'd never heard of them. do they perform as reliable as the Hope rotors?

Firstly both have similar hollow rivet to hold the stainless steel rotor to the alloy carrier so it can catch on certain callipers, namely formula r1, it takes a bit of fettling with sram level ultimate.

As for performance, I find hope slightly better but at least 5x the price, the Deckas are a bargain. Not had any reliability issues yet.
There more metal missing from the braking surface the worse I find stopping power.

[scant]

thanks for info. I might try Deckas for the winter, wear them out, rather than the more expensive Hopes

[TheRich]

@TheRich -thanks for the insight.

Just wanting to be better informed- What in your opinion is it about those novatecs that would make them less than ideal? That the bearings, even if replaced with quality cartridges, are too small for XC demands, regardless of rider weight and conditions?

I agree about the quality of DT Swiss- I have 180s/240s on a cyclocross set that just keep on working as new.

DT is just a known quantity. I've had problems with some hubs, but never with DT or CK. Ease of service gives them the edge over CK.

[Jasonlelam]

Yep! Naked wheelset weight =1290gr
Want to see alternative custom light&stiff crosscountry wheelsets

See this feather light wheels. rim XC924 of "Light Bicycle". When laced with DT240EXP through Sapim CX Ray, it hits ~1120g, and if swap to Berd spokes, it goes down to ~950g WOW

https://www.lightbicycle.com/XC924-carb ... etric.html

[iva]

How can you tell that they are strong and reliable ? I am affraid that after a few ride and an aggressive ride the wheel will break

[zscs]

Instead of the mentioned rims I would go for e.g. Newmen or Duke rims. Those are strong and reliable (I've been using a sub-1300g Acros XC wheelset with Duke carbon rims for almost 6 years). For ~100-200 EUR extra price there are several nice options on on R2. For example, 1150-1200g wheelset (depending on your configuration): https://r2-bike.com/Wheelset-29-XC-DT-S ... arbon-Rims

Found some interesting wheelset with Berd Spokes, like https://www.light-wolf.de/carbon-ti-x-h ... rd-spokes/
Interesting alternative besides Pi Rope wheels for a bit less money.

Berg also started to produce extremely light rims (~280g/rim), however with a more strict weight limit. No idea about reliability but can be also a good choice for light riders.

[B R H]

Personally had terrible luck with Muc-Off sealant. It wouldn't seal sidewall scratches that sealed every single time with far less expensive latex sealant. After 3 strikes (3 different tires, 3 flats where Muc-Off failed but plain latex sealed instantly), I gave up on it. It gets good reviews and smells terrific. Maybe I had a bad bottle.

[iva]

Would you go on XC wheels with slightly trail orientad 25mm or 30mm ?