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New steed
Here it is in the bike shop awaiting a few changeover bits to arrive and Frameskin to be applied. Pickup is middle of the week.
A question for those more knowledgeable about Stan's wheels, if I may.
The spec sheet for this model states Stan's Arch EX, but I noticed when looking more closely at the photo this has come with Crests fitted. That saves me 200g-odd but Stan's own wheels with this rim have an 86kg (190lb) weight limit, compared to 105kg (230lb) for the Arch's. I'm 80kg, make that around 85 by the time I'm kitted up to ride.
I'm a bit hard on rear wheels I think, being a gumby. I don't want to be tweaking wheels constantly to keep them true for everyday use. I'd be prepared to live with a little bit of fettling on a raceday wheelset that was kept aside for use at events and races but I wasn't looking to buy a second wheelset (either raceday or everyday) just yet.
I think one of the floor stock bikes has Arch EX's and a swap would be possible (although perhaps not entirely palatable to the shop owner).
What do you reckon? Do I have anything to worry about with the lighter rims or should I go with the flow?
Rest of the bike looks awesome. Can't wait to take it out for a spin!
Update 14/7/2013
For the doubters, here 'tis. 
Love riding this bike. 
It climbs like a rocket and my son complained today I made Heartbreak Hill at Manly Dam look easy.
For once, almost nothing I'd like to change, even the Avid brakes. I can even play tunes with them, just add water. 
Now I just need to tune up the engine ...
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.. I think they are a bit cautious on the weight ratings. I've had the Flows on the Niner for nearly 3 years. They are rated to 113 kg, which I've been up to at times (kitted up) over that period. Nothing in the way of problems other than a couple of loose spokes in the rear (wheel) early on.
Having lighter wheels does seem to help with the 29'ers. I really noticed the difference going from Crossmark LUST (with tubes) to Ignitors, which shaved nearly .5kg off the combined wheel weight. I went back to the Crossmarks (tubeless) for Alice Springs, but will be looking at some lighter tyres again when the Crossmarks' time is up.
Go with Arch EX. I weight just a kilo more than you, I'm not particularly hard on wheels and I'll never ride Crests again.
Mine where Hope hoops and lasted 800Ks. They had never gone out of true until during a race I landed slightly sideways trying to avoid a few dropped water bottles on a choppy downhill bit and the front wheel folded like paper throwing me OTB. I was lucky as I landed between a tree and a bolder and did not get injured.
I have been riding the Crests for 7 months now , I am the same weight as you and have had no problems
Sweet Ride!
Congrats on the purchase, you really do have a soft spot for a lefty ;P
Big pitty about the weather thou..
What does she weight in at?
Jono.
Fork upgrade?
Taking it to Red Hill? Can't beat a strong wheel set.
@Jono: Haven't put it on the scales, but supposedly just under 11kg without pedals. So maybe 11.3 with those bricks of XT pedals. Should be a bit lighter than my current 26er.
@Simon: Red Hill with this? Umm... no. LOL!
@Leo: Ouch! Apparently running high spoke tension can lead to that kind of result: a stiff wheel that stays true, but more likely to taco
I just mentioned my concerns to my son: "Lose some weight."
I have a couple of pairs. I'm about 82-83 kg and I've given them a good thrashing. 1 pair is on a 29er and a pair on a 26er. Wouldn't go jumping on them but for racing and general riding they are excellent.
Look at the positive Hawkeye, stay with the crests and it will give you the incentive to keep the weight less than 80kg !
I'm not familiar with those wheels @hawkeye but agree with @lach re margin of error. For years now my huck wheels are my older race wheels so have been running 1200-1300g ish wheels (either Stan's ZTR Olympic or FRM) rated at 80kg and I'm about 85kg.
I wouldn't say I'm light on wheels as I jump off anything I can find but can honestly say apart from the odd broken spoke I've never had a problem hucking about on my light weight race wheels even though they are rated at 80kg.
Nice one. Shame about the crappy weather. I'd take a day off work and head to Canberra
I was going to get the crest but i'm on the heavier side of 80kg still & the crest were not recommended too me by the dealers because of the riding I do & the places I ride , they are more of a race wheel the Crest 29er
After a bit of sleuthing I found out why I keep having to true my nice bling Crossmax SLR 26er race wheelset. I managed to get onto the Mavic dealer website and it stated a 85kg limit for rider plus bike. So that would put me 12-13kg over. Annoying that this weight limit info for Mavic isn't publicised. Should have been using ST's which are good for up to 100kg incl bike. Same for 29ers btw.
That puts my mind at ease a bit on the Crests, I still have a few doubts. Might see if I can have a chat to Cannondale Monday.
Crests are fine.
I run Arches on my training wheels, and they are overkill. Its build quality, not really the rim, that will decide their strength.
The bike looks lovely, I wouldn't change it. If in 1000km you need to swap the rim, its only a $50-100 exercise to move to Arches.
Just go easy on the tail-whips!
Hawkeye I've done about 5000k's including the Dwellingup 100 and two Karri Cups on my Crossmax SLRs and I've never touched a spoke. I'm about 90KG.
@Zoom: after events like the Mont, where it's pretty smooth, no problem. But your typical Sydney sandstone trail is moderately technical eg Manly Dam is overall blue square with some (4-5) black diamond sections. I've had one of our local guys with a good reputation for wheelbuilding replace a spoke and look the rear over. I bought a spoke tension meter last week and he's got it pretty even so hopefully it will be better. Will be used as a race wheelset by my son now.
@Ants: when are you getting yours?
Is that the same spec as Black Flash's? I'd say if the human hand grenade's have survived until now you'll have nothing to worry about.
... but you make me laugh. "Human hand grenade" ...
Different model to BF's. His had some DT Swiss Tricon things. I'm not sure he was real happy with them?.
Very nice bike. I was very impressed with the one I did a test ride on at Ourimbah.
He's never happy unless he's breaking something. Forks, helmets, trees, bones...
With this weather, I needed something to laugh at... Or I'd break something...
Correct and correct. Mine came standard with tricon 1550's. Wasn't relly happy with them, very flexy and not exactly light. I had Greg at TWE build me up a 'better' set that I was very happy with.
As it has been mentioned, if it's built correctly and nicely fine tuned, it can really make a difference to the feel of the wheel.
That said. I'm off to break something...
I had Nick Both build me some ultra light wheels on crests. Tune hubs and very thin spokes. While they are a little flexy due to my choice of spoke, they're a well built wheel and have stayed true.
John, I say keep the crests and maybe get them tweaked by a reputable wheelbuilder.
Definately keep the crests and get a cheap S/H set of XT wheels, or get an arch rim and a hope hub or something for everyday bashing. Bike looks great.
@Gazza, what do you weigh, if you don't mind me asking?
Although I'm on a bit of a mission at the moment and am down to 70 now!
Gee Gazza, have you stopped eating
. Not long ago you said you were doing everything but unable to drop weight.
Is that weight recommendation for Crests current or history ? I have been using Crests with DT Competition spokes for a couple of years with no problems up to 95kg. Could be stiffer but have not gone out of true.
... so far as I can tell, Doc. Found on their site via google.
@Gazza, well done mate. I thought you were looking leaner and meaner when we caught up at the Manly Dam maintenance day
New drugs, I meant diet Mate!
John, I would have been 78 when I saw you. I must have been holding my gut in???
John,
Saw your new stead today in the flesh while I was in the shop - looks very nice mate, which bits are you getting changed out?
Jonny
Changes?
Just the cassette and grips. Grips are done. Replacing the PG1070 cassette with XT so that it doesn't chop up the freehub.
Hugh has also volunteered to put on the Frameskin as part of the deal, so waiting for that to arrive along with a right-handed sideloader bottle cage that was out of stock.
Have a chat to Hugh and see what he says. If he thinks they will be ok then ask him to make sure they will warrant it. If he baulks at warranting them then tell him you would like them changed
Have seen the bike many a time hanging on the wall down at CBD and its a pretty sweet bike
... he reckons no issues.
Rode the bike home tonight. It sure accelerates quickly! Suspension is *very* firm - need to have a play with rebound, and shock and tyre pressures.
2x10 surprised me - it actually works quite well. Being able to dump three gears at a time on the rear with the XT shifter makes finding the next ratio in the sequence a lot easier when changing up chainrings. And I only really spun out on the top end with the 38T going down the hill to the Spit.
Better photos to follow on teh weekend.
why you pedalling down hill it won't get you up much further ? lol... enjoy the new steed will have too see it in the flesh soon
New photos please......or it never happen.
Shop photos don't count...that's called window shopping.
hehe patience is a virtue