Crank Bros.

[ravewoofer]

Colbalt XC wheel sets.

+++ CrankBrothers - cobalt, mountain bike wheels, mtb rims, wheels +++

Any one here tried or bought a set? I saw a pair on a RM Slayer and have done some reading. I've never run tubeless, and I'm trying to shave some rotating weight off my RM Element.

MB Action gave the wheel set 4 stars and I know the stars don't come easy at the magazine.

The owner swore by them, but I don't want to plunk down $900 on just a whim.

What say Mudder mountain bikers?

 

[surly]

Tubeless is Rad!

...and i've never been disappointed with a crank bros. product.

i just built up a set of mavic 819s on chris king hubs (20mm front and single speed rear). unbelievable. but the biggest difference i noticed was the tubeless tires. it's a whole new level of riding.

if i ever go gears i will definitely consider crank bros. for the wheelset, so let me know what you decide.

surly

 

[ravewoofer]

I just assumed the real advantage of tubeless was no pinch flatting. With this XC Race wheel set, I figure tubeless helps with decreasing the rotating mass and hence, increasing the rate of acceleration.

What changed for you going to tubless?

 

[Kent]

I have a nice set of Mavic tubeless wheels too. The original spin was tubeless is the way to go because you can run lower pressure and not flat. I found this to be untrue. I tend to run lower pressure than most as I am more of a finesse rider than slam it through everything. I had more flats with tubeless than without. I was constantly ripping the sidewalls (prob due to bulge from lower pressure) and Stans would not seal it. Tried diff tire pressures and tires. Finally went back to just running tubes in them again. I was running Maxxis Tubeliss so not a cheap tire.

I'm sure a nice hardpack singletrack would be great for tubeless. We have rocks galore and off-camber everywhere and I just didn't find it an advantage for me.

Kent

 

[Dirtgypsy]

They are bad ass wheels but not sure if they are worth the price. New tech = $$. I think for 2/3 of the price you could build a sweet set of Hopes, Kings or Industry Nines with Mavics that will be both light and strong.

Clint

 

[ravewoofer]

They are bad ass wheels but not sure if they are worth the price. New tech = $$. I think for 2/3 of the price you could build a sweet set of Hopes, Kings or Industry Nines with Mavics that will be both light and strong.

Clint

Too late, ordered the wheelset a couple of days ago.

I run Chris Kings and Mavic already so I wanted to try something new. I'll post pics of the bike once it's complete. I ordered new XT hydros, too.

 

[Dirtgypsy]

post up please! they look really sweet.

clint

 

[mcewan13]

Hey Gypsy, do you ever ride w/ Mark & LT? I took them up to Growlers last wknd.

 

[Dirtgypsy]

Didn't know they rode. Would be fun to get together for a ride. Both my bikes are collecting dust right now. Where is Growlers?

clint

 

[ravewoofer]

I picked up the Rocky Mountain Element yesterday with the Cobalt rims, Kenda Nevegal 2.1 tubeless tires and the new XT brakes. I'm ready to ride!

 

[edog's 80]

That thing looks fast.

 

[ravewoofer]

That thing looks fast.

It was really fast and stable before this wheel set, but I felt like I was lugging it up the steep technical trails. I'm pretty sure I'll be motoring up the hills soon.

Can't wait for the snow melt!

 

[bustanutley]

Tubless is the s***, significant rotational weight reduction for my DH rig. I run 829s with Minions without stauns and never have tire issues while riding. :Touch wood: The minions hook up really well at that low psi. My general purpose bike is getting a set of 819s this summer before the snow melts, rocky mountains are rocky


That wheelset looks rich.

 

[Radd Cruisers]

Tubless is the s***, significant rotational weight reduction for my DH rig. I run 829s with Minions without stauns and never have tire issues while riding. :Touch wood: The minions hook up really well at that low psi. My general purpose bike is getting a set of 819s this summer before the snow melts, rocky mountains are rocky


That wheelset looks rich.

Crank Bros, stuff is the s***....

We have been running Minions at Whistler for a few years, they do rock

 

[Dirtgypsy]

that is a great looking ride! the freshy wheels are sick

clint

 

[ravewoofer]

OK, I've got about 3.5 hours in on the new wheel set, so I figured it's time for a quickie review.

Frankly, the wheel set is amazing. I'm running the Nevegal 2.1 UST tires and was a little skeptical before the first ride as these tires are 100 grams heavier each than the Nevegal clincher tires. Fully dressed, packed etc. I weigh in around 195 pounds and although this is a racing wheel set, they never flexed, tweaked, became out of round.

I feel as if I'm literally floating over the terrain, not bouncing through it. Tubeless tires are much more supple, while the light weight really makes the pedaling effortless.

I'm actually not sure what to think of my previous Chris King/Mavic 717 set. There seems to be a lot of friction to overcome with the Kings, while the Cobalts really roll fast. I think this is due to the King having the bearing preload adjustment, while the Crank Bros. use non angular contact bearings. No user adjustments, just slick speed with the Crank Bros.

I was able to negotiate a discount with my local AD, as list price is a bit rich.
However, in this case, the extra cash really does buy you something great.

Dang, my bike just hauls a@@ right now!

I couldn't be happier with the after market wheel set.

Two thumbs up!

 

[carboncycles]

rave, think these are durable/robust enough to become your daily wheels?

 

[ravewoofer]

rave, think these are durable/robust enough to become your daily wheels?

LOL. They better be!

Seriously, barring any crashes, I don't envision any problems. Mountain Bike Action reviewed the wheel set and worked them harder, through nasty rock drop offs, etc for three months with no problems, not even a truing was needed.

I ride essentially race pace 4.5 hours weekly starting now through December or snow, whichever comes first. That's basically 40 weeks X 4.5 hours or 180 hours/season.

Last season, with a Chris King wheelset, I had no breakdowns of any kind with the exception of three flats. I had some really worn out parts such as the chain, cassette, and two chain rings, but was able to finish the season.

I'm keeping the King wheelset as a spare, and I ordered a couple of extra spokes for the Cobalts just in case. Fingers crossed.

I gotta say, I'm absolutely smoking the trails with the new wheels! With luck, I'll be out on the trail again Friday afternoon.

 

[carboncycles]

Rave, the more I look at your bike, the more I like it! I guess I'm pretty old school in that I prefer the straight tubes and simpler suspension setups w/ classic triangles.

 

[ravewoofer]

Straight tubes are old school. My road bike is so old it's made of Reynolds 531 double butted throughout. They don't make 'em like that anymore.

These days most mountain bikes use hydoformed aluminium. I'm a believer in it as the tubes can be shaped for specific loads on the bike. My guess is the cheaper frames are built hydroformed just for the "look."

Suspension design has changed trmendously over the past five years, mainly with the suspension, although there are constantly new builders and set ups every year. "Platform" is the thing these days. My shock is a Foxshock RP23. I can set it very firm, medium, or soft. Once through the platform, the shock activates. With a platform on the rear, the bike rides like a hard tail, yet is very supple on the small bumps and trail chatter; until you hit something big. Once activated, the suspension will give up to four inches of smooth plushness.

My fork is suspended without a platform, but it has a lockout. I'll use the lock out while riding a road to get to a trail, but otherwise it's quite nice. You don't even notice it working.

It seems as if different manufacturers use various philosophies of frame building. As the Rocky Mountain is designed for the PNW, it is quite stable on slippery, rocky, rooty, messy, steep trails. I live in New England, so it's good for my riding.

Santa Cruz bikes seem better suited for the Cali type trails, but not for my riding conditions.

Have fun on whatever you decide to ride!