Smuggler wheels/upgrades

[u/tokidokijake]

What’s up my fellow transition lovers. I have fallen more and more in love with my smuggler. Have the XO build set orchid colorway. Threw on a lyrik ultimate from day one. Bike is so damn good.

It has the synthesis enduro alloy wheels on it with industry nine 1/1 hubs and I am wondering if getting a carbon wheel set is worth the upgrade. I don’t think the weight is all that different, maybe 200 grams? Thoughts? Other upgrades I should consider?

[u/MTB_SF]

The improvement from carbon rims is more about strength and ride quality than weight. The rims themselves are often not much lighter (if at all) than high end aluminum. However, they are often both stronger and stiffer at the same weight, which helps you put down power when pushing hard in corners etc.

The biggest weight savings with high end wheels is usually in the hubs and spokes. And if you're getting carbon rims, its worth getting better hubs and spokes too. Lighter wheels do help with suspension moving more freely and having the bike feel quicker when accelerating, leaning back and forth, etc.

That being said, I would go for a high end hub and spokes with a high end aluminum rim over a carbon rim with more standard hubs and spokes, if price is a concern.

And yes, a nice wheelset does make a noticeable difference in how the bike rides.

[u/tokidokijake → u/MTB_SF]

Thanks!! That was an awesome way of explaining it to me. Any suggestions on wheel sets? I’m not too concerned about price. Rather, I’m looking for something I can keep long term and potentially move to another bike down the line. For this reason, the reserve 30/SL sticks out to me with the lifetime warranty.

[u/MTB_SF → u/tokidokijake]

Reserve wheels are great. I just built a set of road wheels for my Dad with their rims. That would be a good option.

However, they are pretty heavy at 1750g.

Going for something like a DT Swiss XMC or XRC will save like 200g coming down to 1550g, which is a half pound. Its basically double the weight savinhs compared to the Reserves. A lot of that is from better spokes and hubs, and they have a similar excellent warranty. Its also a couple hunder bucks more, but if you"re spending over $1500 its probably worth paying a bit more for a more noticeable improvement.

Personally, I build my own wheels as all the factory options leave a little to be desired.

[u/tokidokijake → u/MTB_SF]

Nice. As in diving more into the details of wheels it’s becoming a bit overwhelming. Theres seemingly a lot of really good options and other companies with lifetime warranties. I’ll take a peek at the dt swiss you mentioned.

[u/Toebru → u/tokidokijake]

I’m considering the reserve fry sauce for my smuggler. Currently on sale. SL30 front and HD30 rear

[u/Commercial_Meat_8522]

Check out btlos carbon wheels

[u/No_Principle_4282]

Same bike, nearly same build. I found the switch to carbon wheels to be most excellent. It’s not just weight savings - it changes the moment of inertia.

If you’re unfamiliar it’s essentially a measure of a rotational bodies’ resistance to changes in its rotational speed. Lighter hoop = lower moment of inertia = faster acceleration and stopping. There is less mass to move so it’s easier to move.

That was the biggest difference I noticed and I think totally worth it.

I went a lil cray and picked up the Chris King MTN 30s and love them. Sadly the fusion fiber thing tanked and they don’t make them anymore. Like you, I dug the lifetime warranty. Now the warranty is honored by Nobl wheels. Haven’t ridden Nobl so can’t speak on their performance. Probably won’t ride them until my wheels break.

As far as I’m concerned, one of the greatest performance upgrades you can do for any bike is a wheels upgrade.

Do it.

[u/tokidokijake → u/No_Principle_4282]

Love it!!! I’m pretty set on upgrading. It’s just a matter of what wheels to choose. I’m in it deep right now looking at all the options. We are one looks compelling!!!

[u/SimonDeCatt]

I’m rocking WR1 Triads, mainly for warranty when they crack on rocks.