A couple of wheel questions…. 1. Would a set of Easton XC-2 wheels be a reasonable upgrade on the factory standard wheels supplied with my 08 Rockhopper Disc? The Rockhopper wheels have spesh/Alex rims and spesh hubs. See http://www.bikeradar.com/gear/category/components/wheel-sets/product/xc-two-wheel-set--31771for a review of the Eastons. I’m concerned by the slow pick up issue. 2. If I do get another set of wheels, how realistic would it be to alternate between the spesh and the other set? Would I have to adjust my brakes and rear mech each time I swap them over? Why two set of wheels I hear you ask – I want a set of wheels with slicks for road use and the other with XC tyres. Thanks in anticipation…..
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| Edited: 02/03/09 20:04 |
 1. They're pretty weighty for the money. If you want to save weight, then I'm sure you could do better. I'm not a fan of factory wheels, you're tied into them if/when they go wrong. You could get some Hope Pro IIs on XC717s from Merlin for less, which would get my money. 1(b). you can get rotor shims to put on one set of hubs so they'll line up, should be fine.
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Thanks for the quick response. I forgot to mention I can get a set of the Easton XC-2s for £170, which is a tempting deal. However, I like the idea of a custom built wheel from the likes of Merlin – you get exactly what you want, but at a price. The rotor shims seem difficult to track down. I’ve found some on eBay. Would I not have a problem with the rear mech aligning with the cassette on the different wheels?
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I bought some shims from ebay - they are a good compromise for the IS brakes as I've 2 sets of wheels, but if you've post mount you don't need them.
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Ison and Syntace make rotor shims, you're just as likely to need them for post mount as you are for IS, unless you want to adjust your caliper each time, which is admittedly less hassle with PM. Cassette shouldn't be a problem at all.
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| Edited: 02/03/09 23:46 |
Right. I’ve been looking over my options for a set of custom wheels. I’m sold on the hope pro II hubs (buy British!), but I’m a bit lost on the rims. I weigh 80Kg, ride a Rockhoper Disc 08 mainly on bridleways. I’m not into racing (but we all like to go fast) and I’m not into very technical trials (but we all like to push our boundaries), however some of my local bridleways are rooty and have a few small (1m) drops and the odd bit of rubble. Oh, and some are quite steep. I would like to improve on the wheels supplied with the bike, and preferably go lighter. The XC717s were suggested, but will they be man enough?
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| Edited: 06/03/09 22:35 |
 They'll be fine for your use.
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 erm.. 1 metre drops on a regular basis are really going to push the XC717's to their limits in my opinion - they are after all a XC rim and how many XC racers do 1m drop offs?
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i think the guy rolls them.
"a bit of rubble" and "rooty" i can't see this guy hucking off cliffs
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ah right! I am a bit thick sometimes. . . 
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