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Tubeless Wheels and Fork options

I'm just going through the process of planning various upgrades to my 29er and one of the things I'm really after is a good set of tubeless wheels, or perhaps even a strong set of wheels that can easily be converted to tubeless. I've had plenty of dramas with the wheels I currently have - I think they are some pretty basic Sun Ringles - and I've pretty mcuh gotten to the point where I'm sick of snapping and replacing spokes and constantly having the wheels trued.

So far I've looked at Shimano XT's and Sun Ringle Black Flags as options, but I was just wondering what other options are out there, and what everyone else runs. I'm not too concerned with weight; what I'm really interested in something strong.

Also, any ideas on forks; I still run the Rock Shox Tora 318's that came with the bike and I was after something with a bit more comfort and travel, say 100mm-120mm

Tags: 29er, forks, tubeless, wheels

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Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Simon Mouatt on August 3, 2011 at 15:47

Mark, I run Stan's ZTR Crest 29ers with a Fox F29RL forks on my 29er and they are fantastic!

Permalink Reply by KevJ on August 3, 2011 at 16:40

If you aren't looking to spend lots and lots of money......

Shimano XT 29er wheels (about $440 the set online) are hard to beat for value. If they are anywhere near as good as the 26" version they should hold up very, very well. They are a good weight (about 1750g for the set) and tubeless (they even come with the tubeless valve).

Rockshox Reba RLT (about $620 online) would be a substantial upgrade to the Tora. If your Tora is 80mm I wouldn't go any more than 100mm.

Permalink Reply by Paul Bradford on October 20, 2011 at 13:50

Hi Mark

I upgraded my wheels for the Mont and got excellent wheels all set up with tubless tyres, new cluster and disks for around $900 from TWE. (Two wheeled enterprises)

They are in Sydney and apart from liking a chat when you ring him are excellent to deal with. I am 105kg and they built me wheels strong enough for my weight and 500g lighter than the originals @~1800g.

You should be able to find them online and they usually have an add on Ebay.

I cannot recommend them highly enough from my experience.

You even get a choice of colours.

Permalink Reply by Angus Campbell on October 21, 2011 at 11:27

Mark,

I currently run Stans Arch rims with standard tyres tubeless if that makes sense. I find them to be easy enough to set up and drop about 100 grams a tyre using standard tyres instead of tubeless specific. I have 3 different forks that currently on my 29ers. I run a Fox F29 (tapered) with a 15 mm thru axle which I find a little spongy but otherwise fine. I also have a Manatou minute with 20 mm thru axel which originally had an anoying clicking noise when in use, but after emailing the manufacturer they sent out a new part which has eliminated the noise. I think these are a better for than the Fox as they aren't as soft when climbing out of the saddle. The third fork I have is a new Rock Shox Reba RL (Tapered) with 20 mm thru axle, these are only new and so far proved to be solid and I need only a small amount of fiddling to get the pressures sorted. In sumation I find the 20 mm thru axle to be great when riding hard out of the saddle, I you are looking for wheels as well I would seriously look at the 15 mm thru axle as a minimum to eliminate flexing at the botom of the forks.

Cheers Angus.

Permalink Reply by Steve K on October 21, 2011 at 13:41

Value for money in "proper" tubeless, XT wheels seem to be hard to beat. There seems to be nothing wrong with them at all.

Personally I have a set of Fulcrum Red Metal 29 XL - really happy with them however I got them at a good price so that was a large part of the decision. Normally they're up there price wise...

Recently, someone (I think CRC) had a crazy special on Crank Bros Cobalt wheels for around $600 - close to half what they normally are in Australia. Blingy and nice but it's still hard to say that's better value than XT29s...

Permalink Reply by Paul on March 19, 2012 at 22:01

I have been running TWE (Stan's Arch) for going on 3 years and apart from cleaning the rear hub once a month ago I haven't touched them. They are the best wheels I have every had (I also have a set of Fulcrum Red Metals for the last year on my other bike with no problems).

The TWE are thru axle up front on a Fox RLC FIT fork (magic) and single speed at the back - go thru axle for the stiffness. Talk to Greg Ryan at TWE - all he does is make wheels, he is not fast but he is a pro.

Permalink Reply by Brendan Carr on March 20, 2012 at 7:54

This has been good reading. I just pretzeled both wheels. And on a brand new rim first ride out i just put a flat spot in the new one. nothing bad so i will put up with it. But yeah i am going to eventually get something stronger. I was talking to someone in a LBS and they said by the looks of my history the stans no rims may be a little light for me. Any opinions on this.