Dictatorsaurus
Likes Bikes
Any more opinions on the stock wheelset?
I'm considering building a wheelset with Stans Flow rims and Hadley hubs.
I'm considering building a wheelset with Stans Flow rims and Hadley hubs.
Giant Anthem X 29er - See first post for info
- Thread starter Jubas
- Start date
skinya
Likes Dirt
stock wheelset
Stock wheelset is reasonably sturdy .but a little heavy. Btw i,m 100kg.Be carefull who you buy from,I bought a flow custom wheelset from a well known aussie company for top dollar.When my wheels turn up they look good but no valves?When i enquired i was told in a not to friendly tone that valves are not included and i would have to pay extra!Not a good way to create repeat customers.I for one wont be back.
Stock wheelset is reasonably sturdy .but a little heavy. Btw i,m 100kg.Be carefull who you buy from,I bought a flow custom wheelset from a well known aussie company for top dollar.When my wheels turn up they look good but no valves?When i enquired i was told in a not to friendly tone that valves are not included and i would have to pay extra!Not a good way to create repeat customers.I for one wont be back.
I've put half a dozen hard rides into my stock wheels now, and had to true the rear last night (nothing serious, only about 1.5mm laterally, but I like to keep them straight).
The wheels (esp. rims) seem strong enough, but mine weren't trued up to a high degree of accuracy from the factory. This was particularly true for roundness (as opposed to lateral trueness and dish) which is especially important for even spoke tension and fatigue life.
Now the real gripe: aluminium spoke nipples may look pretty, but they SUCK for adjustment, and the blue ones on the Giant wheels are no exception. They are soft, deformable, and do not want to turn under tension, even after lubrication. I predict that there is one, maybe two truings left in them before they start to round off and/or split (and yes, I am using high quality spoke keys - gimme Park or gimme death).
I thought of replacing the ally nipples with chromed brass one now, but the scientist in me wants to see how long they/the wheel last(s) as they are, bog stock. If the nipples cr@p out first, then I'll re-build with brass. (FYI, 32 brass nipples weigh only 30g - I know, I just weighed them - so the changeover will only add about 15g to the wheel. More than worth it for the ease of maintenance).
On a more positive note, I just did a tubeless conversion with a Stan's kit, a floor pump and a few choice tips - they're holding pressure well, and I'm ready to declare it a success.
The wheels (esp. rims) seem strong enough, but mine weren't trued up to a high degree of accuracy from the factory. This was particularly true for roundness (as opposed to lateral trueness and dish) which is especially important for even spoke tension and fatigue life.
Now the real gripe: aluminium spoke nipples may look pretty, but they SUCK for adjustment, and the blue ones on the Giant wheels are no exception. They are soft, deformable, and do not want to turn under tension, even after lubrication. I predict that there is one, maybe two truings left in them before they start to round off and/or split (and yes, I am using high quality spoke keys - gimme Park or gimme death).
I thought of replacing the ally nipples with chromed brass one now, but the scientist in me wants to see how long they/the wheel last(s) as they are, bog stock. If the nipples cr@p out first, then I'll re-build with brass. (FYI, 32 brass nipples weigh only 30g - I know, I just weighed them - so the changeover will only add about 15g to the wheel. More than worth it for the ease of maintenance).
On a more positive note, I just did a tubeless conversion with a Stan's kit, a floor pump and a few choice tips - they're holding pressure well, and I'm ready to declare it a success.
Most peeps on here seem to be running ZTR Crest rims; anyone tried Arches?
How do you all find the Crests for durability? I roll at 85kgs, and even though I want them for XC, am quite gentle on gear and keep my wheels true, I'm a little worried that the Crests might not last.
No sure which would be the best way to go - maybe even Crest front, Arch rear?
Thoughts?
How do you all find the Crests for durability? I roll at 85kgs, and even though I want them for XC, am quite gentle on gear and keep my wheels true, I'm a little worried that the Crests might not last.
No sure which would be the best way to go - maybe even Crest front, Arch rear?
Thoughts?
top_oz_bloke
Likes Dirt
I had the same decision to make and have taken a punt on the Crests.
At $70 /rim (Wiggle) I've decided it's no great loss if it turns to custard and I end up rebuilding with Arches.
At $70 /rim (Wiggle) I've decided it's no great loss if it turns to custard and I end up rebuilding with Arches.
Knopey
Likes Dirt
Another snapped stock (HG73) chain here. It was during an XC race, but even though I'm not a smooth rider it wasn't being abused. I was actually coasting down a hill at the time. The bike's probably done ~1500km. I'm generally a spinner but sometimes (try to) mash.
Replacing with an XTR (CN-M980) since it's not much more than an XT (HG93) and may last longer. More importantly it's XTR so guaranteed 25% increase in fullisikness.
Need a cuppa now, the bloody Shimano chain nomenclature has given me a headache.
Replacing with an XTR (CN-M980) since it's not much more than an XT (HG93) and may last longer. More importantly it's XTR so guaranteed 25% increase in fullisikness.
Need a cuppa now, the bloody Shimano chain nomenclature has given me a headache.
Bodin
GMBC
Now, there's a word you don't expect to see on rotorburn! Nice work!
edit: Quick search returned 17 references from almost 2.3 million posts.
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Mad Hatter
Likes Dirt
You have way too much time on your hands. Go for a ride.
Bodin
GMBC
Would love to, but still recovering from this morning's effort: http://connect.garmin.com/activity/67950571
Intentionally starved myself on the ride to practice dealing with the hunger flat that I'll inevitably get at some point next Saturday and I'm now sitting here flat as a tack. Nothing better to do than eat and appreciate others' fine grasp of English.
Autralian mountain biking mag
So AMB mag seems to give them the thumbs up. how could they not!
However they do seem to make the common remark that the bars are rubbish..I do tend to agree, so would be interested to hear of others that have upgraded the bar...
I am keen on carbon bling and some weight savings, also thinking a little sweep and possibly some rise..3T, and giant appear to have a couple of good alternatives.
So AMB mag seems to give them the thumbs up. how could they not!
However they do seem to make the common remark that the bars are rubbish..I do tend to agree, so would be interested to hear of others that have upgraded the bar...
I am keen on carbon bling and some weight savings, also thinking a little sweep and possibly some rise..3T, and giant appear to have a couple of good alternatives.
extreme_dog
Likes Bikes
Amb mag? When did it come out? I haven't got mine yet but that's not a surprise. No spoilers please
magilla1971
Squid
Got mine in the mail today. Agree with the comment about the bars so would also be keen to hear from others who have changed them.
I have the Giant Contact SLR bars on mine now and love them. I have the flat bars though. I wrote a review of them on my blog if you want to have a read. The bars came in at 125g as stated and saved that much in weight as the stock bars were 250g. About $130 retail.
extreme_dog
Likes Bikes
Got a link to your blog?
Cheers mate. Yeah they aren't too bad. Lifetime warranty too!
Knopey
Likes Dirt
Stock bars were torture for me.
Replaced with 660mm carbon Ritchey WCS half 15mm rise. Took out a spacer. Happy.
I'm using these:
Race Face SixC 3/4 Riser Mountain Bike Handlebars
http://www.wiggle.co.uk/?s=Race+Face SixC 3/4 Riser Mountain Bike Handlebars
Race Face SixC 3/4 Riser Mountain Bike Handlebars
http://www.wiggle.co.uk/?s=Race+Face SixC 3/4 Riser Mountain Bike Handlebars