What wheels should I buy??

[PacMan]

OK, so now that I've sold my Reign frame, I have a bit of a dilemma. I had planned to buy either a Turner RFX frame or an Intense 6.6 frame. I had to use some of the cash from the Reign sale for bills and now can't afford the RFX or 6.6.

I can get a Transition Covert frame w/ RP23 for less than $700. Or, I could upgrade the wheels on my Yeti---right now it has Mavic 325's handlaced to King rear hub and XT front hub, rock solid but heavy---to something lighter.

I have all the parts necessary to give the Covert a sweet build. Or, do I get a new set of wheels for my main ride?? I really can't think of anything else on my Yeti I could upgrade, that's why I was thinking wheels. I also like to have a second bike as a back-up. Kind of silly I know, but I have bad luck when it comes to bikes and I'd rather not be relegated to SS only if the Yeti goes down for extended repairs. Hence the want to build up a second bike.

Also, I know it may seem silly to sell one bike just to buy/build another, but I sold the Reign because I never liked it all that much. The Covert will be roughly the same weight and build, but I like single pivots over Giant's Maestro.

Comments/opinions??

[Collette]

Putting lighter wheels on the Yeti will turn it into an All-Mountain weapon.

[FoShizzle]

Originally Posted by PacMan

OK, so now that I've sold my Reign frame, I have a bit of a dilemma. I had planned to buy either a Turner RFX frame or an Intense 6.6 frame. I had to use some of the cash from the Reign sale for bills and now can't afford the RFX or 6.6.

I can get a Transition Covert frame w/ RP23 for less than $700. Or, I could upgrade the wheels on my Yeti---right now it has Mavic 325's handlaced to King rear hub and XT front hub, rock solid but heavy---to something lighter.

I have all the parts necessary to give the Covert a sweet build. Or, do I get a new set of wheels for my main ride?? I really can't think of anything else on my Yeti I could upgrade, that's why I was thinking wheels. I also like to have a second bike as a back-up. Kind of silly I know, but I have bad luck when it comes to bikes and I'd rather not be relegated to SS only if the Yeti goes down for extended repairs. Hence the want to build up a second bike.

Also, I know it may seem silly to sell one bike just to buy/build another, but I sold the Reign because I never liked it all that much. The Covert will be roughly the same weight and build, but I like single pivots over Giant's Maestro.

Comments/opinions??

what frame do you WANT? if you WANT the RFX or 6.6, do NOT buy the Transition. Spend the money on something that will (1) make your current ride closer to what you want and/or (2) will be the wheelset you would want for the RFX or 6.6 anyway.

Do not settle on the frame. If you need new wheels anyway and actually WANT the other frames mentioned I think the Transition is a very bad move, IMHO

[Chaos]

I'll reply to your PM here Doug.

IMO i think that 6Pack/RFX frame on MTBR classifieds is a really good deal. If there is some wiggle room on the sellers price then it'll be killer deal. Like I posted on the other thread it'll carry ~1 more year under Turner's standard warranty then convert to a $500 credit toward a new frame.... and that's any FRAME. It'll get you that much closer to your dream build....

[guero]

Originally Posted by PacMan

Also, I know it may seem silly to sell one bike just to buy/build another, but I sold the Reign because I never liked it all that much. The Covert will be roughly the same weight and build, but I like single pivots over Giant's Maestro.

Comments/opinions??

have you ridden a transition covert? if not, what makes you think that you will like it? if you have ridden it, disregard my comment.

also, do you forsee yourself going bigger as far as hunking goes? if not, is a 6" travel bike really necessary?

sounds like you got some money burning a hole in your pockets eh. i'd sit on this decision for awhile. its good you are asking questions, but you seem to be a bit indecisive over the past few weeks with what you want to do as far as what bike to get and stuff.

[PacMan]

Originally Posted by guero

have you ridden a transition covert? if not, what makes you think that you will like it? if you have ridden it, disregard my comment.

also, do you forsee yourself going bigger as far as hunking goes? if not, is a 6" travel bike really necessary?

sounds like you got some money burning a hole in your pockets eh. i'd sit on this decision for awhile. its good you are asking questions, but you seem to be a bit indecisive over the past few weeks with what you want to do as far as what bike to get and stuff.

I have ridden Transition bikes in the past, but never the Covert. I liked what I saw when I rode the others.

I'm not really indecisive lately--I'm always this way.

I know that I didn't like the Reign so I sold it. I was contemplating selling the Haro stictly because I never rode it and I assumed it would sell quickly. I didn't think anyone would be interested in the Reign, so I never considered selling it before. Shows what I know, eh??

I don't really have the "money burning a hole in my pocket" syndrome too bad. I do know that if the cash sits around too long, my wife will find a use for it, hence the planning on buying something. All the question asking is to help me make the right decision. Also, it's more of a validation kind of thing. Deep down inside my gut is telling me what's smart and what isn't. I ask questions and almost always get my gut feelings validated.

Also, I have only been MTB'ing a few years and can see myself growing more and more all the time--albeit a lot slower than some people. I want to learn how to "hunk", but want/need to start small--that's the best way for me to learn. I know a lot of you on the board have the skills, I have just never been shown technique and am hesitant to just go start hucking stuff. So I would like a bike that's capable of taking some hits but doesn't weigh a whole lot.

Thanks for the concerns.

[tkblazer]

i don't see a need to have two 6" bikes...put the money towards the wheels bubb

[dubjay]

I say use the money to build a nice light and strong wheelset too. You can always swap those to a different bike if the Yeti ever goes away.

[jfromlv]

I say save the $$$ and use it towards racing next year. OK, I'll agree with the others, extra wheels are always a bonus to have.

[Pho'dUp]

If you want to spend money now. Wheels. Frames come and go but nice wheels you keep forever. Try a local builder, like Path, or perhaps Dave Thomas at Speeddream. He makes awesome wheels.

[Pain Freak]

One more for the wheels. I might start to sound like a broken record ( they used to skip and repeat themselves, over and over again)Take into consideration the penalty for a missed "hunk", you have kids and bills and really should consider this before moving up to a "big bike". Stay small grasshoppa, and buy the wheels. (I'll probably lose my Homer card for not telling you to buy the Turner).

[nappyt]

Go for the wheels bro.

[dstepper]

Originally Posted by PacMan

right now it has Mavic 325's handlaced to King rear hub and XT front hub, rock solid but heavy---to something lighter.

Is that wheelset really that heavy? Seem like a decent set of wheels to me. I am not a big fan of super light wheelsets, they can be flexy and can go out of true much easier than a solid build. If you wanted UST rims I could understand it. Yes Mountain Bikes are expensive but after the bike purchase it is no where near as expensive as some other sports.

I have a 23lb singlespeed and even that bike does not have a weight weeny wheelset. I supose your decision has alot to do with the other bikes in your stable. I like a lot of distance between bikes. I have a light rigid single speed Niner One-9. 30.5 lbs Niner Rip for X-country. And I am building a 07 RFX that will come in at about 33-34 lbs. My favorite bike is the one I am riding at the time.

[allison]

Yeah, like Dean said... that sounds like a pretty solid wheelset.

The only thing I'd suggest is possibly upgrading to 819's (lighter than 823's, but not as burly - Justin was riding King hubs with 823's on his Socom before getting the DT Swiss FR rear wheel/hub) and getting King front hub.

You can go a lot lighter also (DT Swiss 240s hubs?), but is that what you want to do?

What would be the purpose of the new wheelset? Strictly light-weight XC riding? Your wheelset should be pretty good for AM. You don't want something really light weight that you'll end up knocking around.

If you are considering doing some racing (Counting Coup, maybe a XC race at Southridge, etc.) then definitely consider getting a lighter "race day" wheelset that you don't ride all the time.

Like mentioned below, definitely don't settle on a frame. You'll only end up spending more later on to get what you wanted initially.

[Edog]

Bribe your wife with some of the money, load up your Haro & hit up Mammoth with us next weekend. We can both come away with some new 'Hucking Skills'. Better still save the money & hit Whistler for a long weekend next year.

[allison]

Originally Posted by Edog

Bribe your wife with some of the money, load up your Haro & hit up Mammoth with us next weekend. We can both come away with some new 'Hucking Skills'. Better still save the money & hit Whistler for a long weekend next year.

That's actually some great advice. Thanks, Ian! Something no one else brought up.

[PacMan]

OK, if I get wheels, what wheels should I get??

Price is not really a factor. I can get a really good discount and I'm willing to drop the dough.

My wishes/requirements:
Light (duh)
Strong (another duh)
Servicable--I want a wheel that can be repaired/serviced anywhere.

I don't want to pay extra money for "bling". I weigh 220 lbs, don't really jump or hunk. I want a wheel that is light enough to make climbing Noble fun yet strong enough to make descending it fun too.

Suggestions??

p.s.--thanks again for all the collective help. I love having STR for situations like this

[bjammin]

buy a lightweight wheelset for long epic rides, use the haro for hucking, and buy me beer with the leftover dough.

[mottmcfly]

Originally Posted by PacMan

OK, since the majority voted for wheels (Need opinions: frame or wheels??) which is what I was thinking anyway...

...what wheels should I get??

Price is not really a factor. I can get a really good discount and I'm willing to drop the dough.

My wishes/requirements:
Light (duh)
Strong (another duh)
Servicable--I want a wheel that can be repaired/serviced anywhere.

I don't want to pay extra money for "bling". I weigh 220 lbs, don't really jump or hunk. I want a wheel that is light enough to make climbing Noble fun yet strong enough to make descending it fun too.

Suggestions??

p.s.--thanks again for all the collective help. I love having STR for situations like this

Check out the Crossmax SX Wheelset. Scary light yet extremly light.

Mott

[Dino Brown]

Originally Posted by mottmcfly

Check out the Crossmax SX Wheelset. Scary light yet extremly light.
Mott

If I hear you mention the Crossmax SX- one more time... Aaaahhhhh