11-24-2009, 03:49 AM
If wheels fail, they are not built well enough. Most likely, the spoke tension is too low. This is especially true, if the wheel becomes out of true when riding only on pavement. Either that or you hit too many kerb stones (AE: curb stones)...
In my opinion you have two choices: Go for a decent entry to mid-range set of wheels, either "system" wheelsets or a standard set built by somebody who actually knows what he is doing. The latter set should be something like mid-range hub, mid-range rim, 32 double butted spokes (e.g. DT competition), laced cross three.
If you don't want to spend the money, you could try to correct the spoke tension, but if you're new to that, a short warning is asked for: correcting other people's building mistakes is time consuming, frustrating and difficult.
I don't have a MTB, but I go cyclocrossing with an old Peugeot road bike with handbuilt wheels. Shimano Tiagra / Deore hubs, low level rims (don't even remember the brand), 32 spokes cross 3. Up to now they take quite a bit of abuse.
In my opinion you have two choices: Go for a decent entry to mid-range set of wheels, either "system" wheelsets or a standard set built by somebody who actually knows what he is doing. The latter set should be something like mid-range hub, mid-range rim, 32 double butted spokes (e.g. DT competition), laced cross three.
If you don't want to spend the money, you could try to correct the spoke tension, but if you're new to that, a short warning is asked for: correcting other people's building mistakes is time consuming, frustrating and difficult.
I don't have a MTB, but I go cyclocrossing with an old Peugeot road bike with handbuilt wheels. Shimano Tiagra / Deore hubs, low level rims (don't even remember the brand), 32 spokes cross 3. Up to now they take quite a bit of abuse.
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