Light XC Wheelsets

Discuss light weight issues concerning mountain bikes & parts.

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tnkn
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by tnkn

Hi all, I'm looking at replacing the stock DTSwiss X1700 Spline 25 wheelset that can on my spark for something a bit lighter. The X1700s weigh over 1800g with rim tap.

I've recently bought a couple of sets of road wheels from Farsports and Lightbicycle so thought about those as options but am not convinced by hookless. That's all they seem to offer when it comes to MTB rims.

Is there anything to be worried about with a hookless rim? Most high-end wheelsets seem to be hookless!

Spec-wise I was looking at 30w25d, 28h carbon rims with cx-ray spokes and DTSwiss 240 straightpull hubs.

I'm around 68kg and mostly ride fast tracks and climb.

Cheers 🍻

by Weenie


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robbosmans
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by robbosmans

Hookless is fine for low pressure mtb tires, I wouldn’t want it on road rims


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JayDee81
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by JayDee81

I've just had laced Nextie ultralight rims with id 27 mm to DT350 6-bolt, 28 CX-Ray straightpull spokes and the set weighs 1322 g, so they certainly are lightweight.

slojoe
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by slojoe

Another option is BTLOS. I recently purchased a set closely matching your specs you listed and have been real happy with them. Part # was WM-i30 (30mm inside width, 25mm height) and were speced with superlite rim, dt240 and 32 cxray's j bend. Weight came in at 1450g, with 28 straight pull spokes they should be around 1380g. The components all weigh the same so the slight differences will be just in the rim. These particular rims are 355g, not sure how much lighter you could go with a 30mm width and still be durable. So far they have been solid wheels, spun true when received and are still true after about 500 miles of mixed riding with an 82 kg rider.

TomUK87
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by TomUK87

Roval Control SL - 1330 grams
Bontrager XXX - 1280 grams with a bombproof warranty.

bm0p700f
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by bm0p700f

My own set of 30mm wide hookless mtb rims w
24h built with sapim force spokes and my disc brake hubs are 1400g. I'm 89kg though kitted up. Easy to make them lighter with carbon ti hubs. I built a set that got stolen that was 1280g for my previous mtb. I was not even trying.

bm0p700f
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by bm0p700f

Oh the rims are 360g. I use PTN inserts and this solves any robustness concern. The insert is about 100g. Weight weenie that is.

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tnkn
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by tnkn

Cheers for all the info chaps. Some nice options there!

Hookless does worry me, but by the looks of it most high-end wheelsets seem to be, so can't be that bad...

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LeDuke
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by LeDuke

My next wheelset will be We Are One Composites "The Revive" (345g rim, 25mm internal), on DT Swiss 240s, 28/2x, using DT Swiss Revs. Lifetime guarantee, hubs of my choice, 1360g.

Hookless isn't something to worry about if you're running your tires at reasonable pressures. I can't think of a single modern rim out there with a bead hook. Unless you're an absolute giant or running WC DH, you shouldn't be running anything above 30psi, anyways. I'm 65kg, running 2.35f/r with inserts and run below 20psi on the front, just over on the rear.

@bm0p700f: Check out Tubolight. Better than PTN in every way, in my opinion.

AnkitS
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by AnkitS

Light Bicycle XC295 are 295g in the flyweight version and 25i 30e.

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LeDuke
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by LeDuke

OP, here's a question that will help us answer your query:

Are you after the lightest possible weight? Or, are you after a lightweight but extremely durable wheel that will help you get up AND down the mountain?

I ask this, because it seems like some brands, such as DT Swiss, have moved away from pursuing the absolute lightest rim/wheel, and instead are making durable wheels that allow riders to hit things they'd normally not do on an XC bike or XC wheelset. The wheelset Nino Schurter and Kate Courtney are running is 1480g with a 30mm wide (internal) rim. Using the DT Swiss Spokes Calculator, with 180 SP boost hubs from and rear, and Aero Comps in the rear and Aerolites up front, that means the rims weigh upwards of 425g a piece.

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tnkn
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by tnkn

I'm not looking for the lightest possible wheelset, just a decent upgrade from my stock wheels.

Been looking at the BTLOS site, mainly as their wheel building system is very good and easy to use.

This is the spec I worked up. Whilst not being the lightest configuration, I like the idea of a wider rim.

WM-i30 - 35wide/30id/25deep

Rim Size: 29er
Series: Extralight
Version: XC
Finish: Matte
Weave: UD
Spoke Count: 28H/28H
Hub Type: DT SWISS 240S
Hub Color: Black
Ratchet: Upgrade 36T
Front Axle: 15*110mm BOOST
Rear Axle: 12*148mm BOOST
Freehub: Shimano Microspline
Brake Interface: Center Lock ( Disc )
Spoke: Sapim CX-Ray
Spoke System: J-bend
Nipple: Aluminium Black
Decal colors: None

Current configuration wheelset weight: 1372.2+/-25g

02GF74
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by 02GF74

Is there a 6 bolt version instead of centre lock? There are fewer centre lock disc options, of course you can fit adapter but that increases weight.

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tnkn
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by tnkn

They offer 6 bolt 240 hubs as an option.

by Weenie


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F45
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by F45

Carbon-ti hubs, Berd spokes, your choice of light Chinese rims.

Pillar 1423 spokes are the same weight of CX-ray but 60 cents each. If you want to go with steel spokes.

Or you can save yourself the hassle of selling those wheels by taking the spokes and rim off and re-lacing the hubs.

For my light set of xc wheels I ended up with Carbonfan t800 rims, i23/i30, 300g/360g. This combo with the narrower in the rear works nicely, saves a bit of weight.

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