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Wheel selection help! Deemax or Flow?

cannonfodder

Chimp
Mar 4, 2010
4
0
I'm getting a new frame soon, and it has the option to run a 135x12 wheel which I would prefer for stiffness reasons.
I'm looking at my options for light weight wheels, as I'd like to keep the weight down some and the wheels are one of the most noticeable places to lose weight if I'm not mistaken?
Anyways, I've sort of narrowed it down to two options;

Stans Flow laced to Hope Pro II, or 2009 Deemax.

I haven't been able to find a very long term review for the Deemax wheels, but I remember the older ones had issues with the rear hubs exploding.
Has anyone had any serious time on these?

Will the Flow rims hold up? They're quite light.

My main reasons for choosing the two are weight, color and price. They come out to about the same. The Stans obviously will be much lighter.
I am trying to stay away from black rims this time. Would like something a little different.

The wheels will be going on a 6-7" AM/FR rig, and I'll be running tubes unless tubeless seems like a better idea. Though calculating weights the weight savings was negligable.

I'm about 175lbs geared up, and a relatively smooth rider. It'll be ridden on the Shore, Whistler, etc. Nothing tooo huge, but drops will obviously be present.

If someone has suggestions I'd be more then willing to listen to them as well. I know this should probably be posted in the Freeride section, but I figure downhillers put their stuff through more torture.

Thank you in advance!
 

NY_Star

Turbo Monkey
I would stay away from the flows in whistler for a everyday riding wheel set. They are great for a race wheels set but if would not go for them if i was riding whistler a lot. They are strong but not bullet proof.

I did ride a set last year here on the east coast till i destroyed one at a race after a stupid line choice. They do take a beating pretty well and still hold air.
 

cannonfodder

Chimp
Mar 4, 2010
4
0
NY_Star, how heavy are you?

I like the look of the SX's, however they're $350 more then either of the other set ups would cost me.
 

John P.

Turbo Monkey
Sep 24, 2001
1,170
0
Golden, CO
I would stay away from the flows in whistler for a everyday riding wheel set. They are great for a race wheels set but if would not go for them if i was riding whistler a lot.
you can get at least 2 sets of Flows/Pro2s for the price of 2010 Deemax..
Both of these are great points. I'm 160lbs + gear, and I rode the exact setup you describe - hope pro's laced to Flows last year - as a race-only wheelset. I definitely wouldn't have ridden them as my sole wheelset for the season, and definitely not for extended time at Whistler, either.

Another option (that I used last year): Get a set of Azonic Outlaws for super cheap beater wheels, and a set of Hope Pro's/Flows for lighter riding, race runs, or rides that require a lot of climbing.

--JP
 

marshalolson

Turbo Monkey
May 25, 2006
1,770
519
flows are not stiff at all. like super not stiff
flows dent easily, though stay relatively true

i had them on a giant trance-x 5" bike and found they were not enough wheel for that. just FWIW
 

TheInedibleHulk

Turbo Monkey
May 26, 2004
1,886
0
Colorado
Another option (that I used last year): Get a set of Azonic Outlaws for super cheap beater wheels, and a set of Hope Pro's/Flows for lighter riding, race runs, or rides that require a lot of climbing.

--JP
Always a good idea. Or just ride outlaws all the time and spend the extra money on hookers and blow. If you do want a high end wheelset, split the difference between those two choices and lace up 823s to your Hopes, which is the rim you get with deemaxes anyway. It's a tough rim. Don't get any of the Mavic complete wheels, theyre an absurd ripoff. The hub is not nearly as good as the Hope, or Hadley, or Burgtec, or King... the list goes on.