How light is too light for an everyday XC wheelset? Is there even such thing as too light?
I’m 170# and ride mellow XC trails on a ti hardtail. I’m currently running i9 trail 270 wheels and they’re stout at 1700 grams. I’m considering upgrading to a set of btlos carbon wheels that are a little over 1100g. I’m not hitting jumps or drops and I’m more into endurance xc versus sending it and getting rowdy.
Could an 1100g wheelset work as my daily driver? Should I get them and only use them only on race day and for events? I would keep my aluminum i9’s for bikepacking and rowdy trips to the mountains.
Here’s what I’m looking to buy: https://btlos.com/integra-wx30
Thoughts?
by Pizzaboner420
5 Comments
Hardtails beat up rear wheels now than full squish. I’m 65 kg (145 lbs) and cracked rims that light on XC rocks and roots in the Midwest.
IMO 1300-1500g is a pretty safe amount of wheel to run with an insert out back vs no insert. Anything below that with steel spokes gets dicey for daily use, especially on a hardtail.
If I ever spend that kind of money on a set of rims, you bet I gonna use them as much as I can. I see the point of keeping the old ones around for bike backing, but as long as you like the handling of CFRP rims I don’t see why you wouldn’t daily them.
Fuuuuck those cost more than my frame.
I got carbons with a lifetime warranty. If I’m spending that much, I’m going to ride the hell out of them. They were also $1500.
Even at 5 years, you’re going to find out in that time if you’re too hard on them.
But reality is carbon, almost any carbon, is obscenely strong. Buy them. Rode them all the time. Deal with issues as they come up.
Worst outcome is to baby something that doesn’t need to be babied and end up having less fun.
As far as the “too light” thing. It’s not that straight forward with carbons. It’s best to get reputable western brands and pay more. If you’re getting something heavier, it’s likely just shittier. Companies will just through extra carbon at a design to reduce warranty claims. This is why the gap between alloy and carbon frames has narrowed considerably. Especially in junk brands like polygon.
I think you’re the perfect candidate to have a long lasting and fruitful relationship with those wheels. 10,000 miles into a pair of 1200g wheels that have never needed truing. I weigh in at 175lbs and bash through plenty of rock gardens every ride in the Rocky Mountains. My wheels come from NOBL but a friend who’s a lot faster and rides more swears by BTLOS. If I need another wheel set, I’d happily go to BTLOS — but I’m not expecting to have to replace my wheels anytime soon.