MTB wheels, rebuild or buy new?

Caroline_ie

Hi,

It's winter again and I decided to get the MTB out of the shed.
I had a quick look at the bike with the BF and we noticed 2 nipples per wheels had rotted. It looks like the salt from the roads I was cycling on last winter and the sea air + general irish moisture destroyed the alu nipples. They all look quite damaged at this stage.

The bike is a 2009 Rockhopper Comp with:
Rims: Specialized Stout 26", double wall disc, pinned, eyelets, 28/32h
FRONT HUB: Specialized Hi Lo, forged alloy, double sealed, ground race, 28h
REAR HUB: Specialized, forged alloy, double sealed, ground race, cassette, QR, 32h

I was told by a wheel building specialist that rebuilding these rims would be a bad idea and that the specialized hubs were too poor quality to bother.

I am not sure what to do. I reckon a new pair of MTB wheels would be a good idea.

Any recommendations? My price range would be: in clearance
I am not aiming at racing with them, just cross training.

Thanks

C3PO

Mavic Crossrides - bulletproof, reasonably light and cheap! Dig around and you will get a pair for €150.00. The MTB equivalent of Askiums! You won't go wrong with these wheels!

Caroline_ie

RPL1 wrote: »

Mavic Crossrides - bulletproof, reasonably light and cheap! Dig around and you will get a pair for €150.00. The MTB equivalent of Askiums! You won't go wrong with these wheels!

Just had a look: http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Models.aspx?ModelID=65771 these with this weekend extra 10% off would be 146euro.

Would they be better than these? http://www.wiggle.co.uk/fulcrum-red-metal-10-mtb-wheelset-1/

C3PO

Caroline_ie wrote: »

Just had a look: http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Models.aspx?ModelID=65771 these with this weekend extra 10% off would be 146euro.

Would they be better than these? http://www.wiggle.co.uk/fulcrum-red-metal-10-mtb-wheelset-1/

Don't know about the Fulcrums but I've used Crossrides on my winter training bike for the last two winters, riding 3 times a week in all the Irish winter could throw at them and they were completely reliable!

The pair you've linked from CRC have a 15mm axle on the front wheel - I'm guessing you probably have a quick release?

Caroline_ie

RPL1 wrote: »

!

The pair you've linked from CRC have a 15mm axle on the front wheel - I'm guessing you probably have a quick release?

Good call ... yea I do. I am sh!t at MTB stuff, I'm a roadie.

C3PO

Caroline_ie wrote: »

Good call ... yea I do. I am sh!t at MTB stuff, I'm a roadie.

Sure we all have our crosses to bear!

Here you go ...

http://www.merlincycles.co.uk/Bike+Shop/Wheels/Mountain+Bike+Wheels/Factory+Mountain+Bike+Wheels/Mavic+CrossRide+Disc+Wheels+-+Pair_856.htm

Or I know James in OC Tuning had a pair in stock recently that he was selling at around €150! Worth a call!

Caroline_ie

... and bought. I trashed my November cycling budget already.