damn. I was considering those for my next build. you know anything about the build? what kind of spokes, and how tensionned they were?
I don't know much, but they are a Stans complete wheelset. This one I think - https://www.notubes.com/arch-mk3-wheelset-neo
hmmmm. yeah, more travel and a much sturdier rim (isn't the Spike a DH rim?)... but still, that's cause for concern.
So looking for new options now, I just noticed that Stans has a max rider weight listed on their site for the wheelset. I'm guessing that is for the rim. The have it set to 230lbs, which if I'm honest with myself, I might be closing in on.
I'm on the Flow EX currently. They seem fine. People used to use them for DH so.... I also used to use Spank Oozy 295s. They were fine, but I don't think they were that much better than the Flow EX. And seating tires was sometimes a pain, as was getting valves to seal properly. What's the rim @kidwoo and @mtg keep raving about? DT Swiss 417 or something? That might be worth a look.
Just curious, why are you thinking of switching from Flow EX to Arch mk3?
This is Canaderp though. Your $100 rim needs to be multiplied by 1.5x, add some 13% tax and some more "tax" for our ludicrous distributors out there in Quebec land.
Not really contemplating switching. It's more of a question of when I need to replace them. Arch MK3 are same width as flow ex and approx 80g lighter. I was up hoping they'd be about the same strength...
I figured they were about the same as Stans and Spanks... Guess not. Can you get them at Jenson or crc?
Universal Cycles an option or delivery a no go?
there’s an awesome wheelbuilder here-have him order and build, send him $, pick up when here in three weeks...pm me if you want me to connect you. he built my ex500s on hopes...8 years ago. nogaswheels.com
Maybe..... building a set now. Totally forgot about UC. Though they are out of purple Hope hubs, I guess black will do.
PLEASE.
UC says pretty much $200 to ship the wheelset to Canaderp. FU Canada!Maybe..... building a set now. Totally forgot about UC. Though they are out of purple Hope hubs, I guess black will do.
Typing that out has clarified my choices I think. This will be an incremental project. I will replace nipples for now. Order the xd driver later (perhaps on boxing day sales?), and use the bad weather days when I can't ride to build my wheels up myself. That should save some coin. Fuck is this hobby ever expensive and time consuming.
Alloy nips?@canadmos : Not sure where you're at with all this... but I just ordered a Flow EX from CRC for $60. They're 25.5mm inner width, and 510 g for 650b. Orders over $75 ship free. I bought an Arch MK3 for the front wheel. 26mm inner width and 425g. I figure as a front rim it should be fine. And Flow EX on the rear should hold up plenty well.
I pushed up my "over the winter" build since discovering the nipples on my my rim have corroded. It started with one broken nipple on the trail. Then as I was fixing it, I noticed at least two other broken nips. I think that's too many to chance a ride... I think I may have driven with it on the rear rack 2x is slushy conditions (so with salt on the roads). Didn't think of rinsing off the salt from the rims. I guess it's time to put the bike inside the car now.
I have to assume so. Just spoke with my LBS. they tell me in their experience alloy nips have, on average, a 2-year lifespan... This is my first wheel with alloy nips, i'd always had brass before. I said I'd just replace the nips. he said to make sure the corrosion hasn't extended to the rim... this is all news to me. I was thinking of saving the few grams for my next build, but at this rate, I'm not sure it's worth it.
and also why you buy spokes that come with brass nipples.It's not. ALWAYS use brass nips. I learned this the hard way.
