Upgrades: Making Your Used 29er Fly
When researching a new bike purchase you may have noticed a trend, manufacturers tend to skimp on the wheels to keep the overall cost down. While it’s nice to get a top of the line frame and groupset, nothing betrays that faster than lousy wheels. This trend has been rampant in the 29er mountain bike category, and this is truly a shame. Getting those big wheels moving is tough when the wheels are low end. That is truly one of the benefits of buying a used bike, the money you save can be used for the purchase of better wheels with the end result being a used bike that actually outperforms anything new for thousands less. So, when you peruse Bicycle Blue Book and look at those used bike values, consider taking some of the money you save and upgrading the wheels. One of our favorite upgrade options for 29ers comes from a mountain bike pioneer, Tom Ritchey.
Ritchey WCS AlloyVantage II 29
If you rode a mountain bike in the ‘90s you know the Vantage name, the wheels were a staple on the World Cup scene. Ritchey now delivers them in 29er form and at an incredible price. WCS OCR alloy rims utilize an aerospace recipe developed for low rotational weight with great stiffness and impact resistance. With a 20mm interior width they are narrow enough remain light, but wide enough to give your tire some added volume, perfect for the low pressures that make a 29er really sing. With Ritchey WCS hubs, German bearings and DT competition spokes the Vantage II 29ers tip the scales at 1668 grams. Only 4grams heavier than their carbon stable mates.
The Rider
Perfect for the cross-country racer looking for a race or training set that won’t break the bank or ride like a lead brick. The performance trail rider can trust the wheels to hold up over long days in the backcountry, season after season, despite the light weight.
Vital Statistics
Price: $818, Weight: 1668grams, Depth: 19mm, Internal Width: 20mm. Tubeless tape and valves included. Rear hub: QR and 142×12 through axle convertible, Centerlock brake mount. Front hub: 15mm through axle. Standard 9mm QR and 142x12mm adapters sold separately.
More: ritcheylogic.com
Posted for Bicycle Blue Book – The worlds most accurate source for new and used bike values, by peloton magazine.
