[LeKyle]

Alright, I'm in the market for a new wheelset and really have no idea what to look for.

I ride an '07 stumpjumper bone stock except for my kenda bluegrooves.

I want something relatively strong, but not incredibly heavy. Weight isn't a huge concern for me, I just don't want a wheel meant for a tank.

Strength is huge, and here's why: I decided I'd go up to downieville a couple weeks ago and do the downhill. Had a fun little ride through sunrise or whatever that trail is that connects up to Butcher Ranch. Then, hit a small jump at the beginning of butcher ranch, 3.5-4' of air (my friend said it was beautiful), landed it nicely, until my front wheel crumpled and sent me flying head first into the air, clipped into my bike.

Long story short, I'm fine but would prefer not to have anything like that happen again.

The rims were DT swiss x430's made for the stumpy, Specialized Stout hub.
I talked briefly with someone at my local bike shop, they weren't particularly helpful, mentioned something about maybe rebuilding off my hub?

I honestly don't know a damn thing about wheels.

 

[unskilled]

i work at a specialized dealer and if you are gonna be hucking the gnar on your stumpy a lot then a better wheelset would be an advantage. I'm a big guy 6'3" 200lbs and i rode a similar wheelset on an enduro sl i demo'ed. I put a hurting on them pretty bad after one ride. Granted i come from a freeride background so i wasn't picking the easy line.

You have a couple of options as far as building wheels goes. Cheap or really expensive

Cheap-Make sure hubs are still good. if so build up a middle of the line rim that is a good combo of weight and strength.

Middle of the line- hope pro ii's with sun single tracks. light and fast. rims aren't supper expensive so you can blow it up without really hurting the wallet too bad. hope pro II's are a personal fave. Really nice performance without a chris king price. granted this would be a bit higher since pro Ii's are dec expensive.

Expensive would be like king's laced to mavic 729's. that would be all out dh wheelset. Heavier than you're use to for sure but damn those things would last a long long time if you care for them.