Light Bicycle carbon wheels. Awesome or Awful?

[@LuisManuelHdez]

Just bought a set of EN33s laced up on Hydra hubs, Sapim dlight spokes, brass rainbow nipples. Really looking forward to them .

[@paulwintermute1495]

I bought a set of LB rims in 2014 for my Pivot Mach 6. I'm 210 lbs and a very aggressive rider ( big jumps and poor line choices). The rims were absolutely flawless after 6 years of abuse. Last year I upgraded to an Ibis Ripmo. The bike came with alloy rims and I've already dinged the heck out of the rear wheel. As soon as I have the $ I'm getting a set of LB 933s for the Ibis.

[@bestdayevermtb2]

Thanks Paul. It sounds like your experience is very similar to mine. Thanks for taking the time to give your feedback

[@stephenburton302]

Have a read of my review above - be very careful before buying LB wheels

[@paulwintermute1495]

@@stephenburton302 I read your review. You clearly had a spoke/hub issue. Neither are manufactured by LB. The rims didn't fail the hubs did. You blamed it on the spokes but you spec which spokes you want to use when ordering wheelsets. Read my review. The rims have been bombproof! I will happily recommend them and I am buying them again.

[@stephenburton302]

No I said nothing about the rims. I highlighted Light Bicycles appalling customer support. These were bought as complete wheelsets, spokes, hubs and rims were all speecced, supplied and paid for through the LB website. The spokes are not compatible with the hubs yet they offer the combination on their site. And then won't support the issue. Nothing wrong with the hubs, nothing wrong with the spokes and nothing wrong with the rims, but incompatible when together. I fail to see how it becomes the consumers problem. And hence my warning to anyone looking to purchase LB gear. Their back up service and support is appaling. In my case I would have been financially better off to have bought Enves. Buyer beware!

[@pvflyer67]

Same here, riding LB wheels 4 over 6 years 26",27.5" and now waiting for my 29" and have experienced ZERO issues. Good company to do business with, providing great product @ a good Value. I am sure I'll come back for more wheels 🍺 cheers

[@ocbyn]

Lance, loved the slow-mo of the jump at the end. 👍🏻

[@bestdayevermtb2]

That wasn't a slow mo. That is how fast I ride 😆😆😆

[@ocbyn]

@@bestdayevermtb2 I thought it was “Slow Steve”?!

[@bestdayevermtb2]

@@ocbyn 😆😆😆

[@dongh1217]

Glad to meet you there that day, I was wondering where is this carbon wheel set review episode you mentioned. Here we go! Quality content as always!

[@bestdayevermtb2]

Thanks very much. Often the videos come out several weeks later. I don't like rushing them.

[@nickcoyne4949]

I have a set of LB rims on my 2013 Stumpjumper. So many cased jumps and flat landings over the years. I think I've trued the rims once. They replaced the OE alloy wheels that I flat-spotted in the first week of riding. Never buying alloy rims again.

[@bestdayevermtb2]

Over the years the alloy rims I have had have mostly ended up destroyed. Well that is not entirely true. The rear wheel has been destroyed so I ended up with a bike with a different back wheel to the front.

[@jimmorrison7555]

Light bicycle wheels last well, have a friend who has run a set for years, cased them so bad that his nukeproof broke . . Wheels stayed true

[@bestdayevermtb2]

Thanks Jim. I have had a set 5 years and they have had a hard life. Still look great and not one broken spoke.

[@irwinwagner8373]

Great video as always Lance.👍

[@LuisManuelHdez]

Btw..how have they held up? Bout to receive mines shortly! Going on my Levo SL.

[@bestdayevermtb2]

I don't have them anymore but my friend has them on his Trek Rail and they still look like new.

[@kbrdwyer]

I have bought 3 wheel sets over the last 4 years. My first set was for my XC MTB. I have ridden that set hard and aggressive since day one with no problems. Then I bought two sets for our CX bikes. The first CX bike wheel set lasted one ride then the rim de-laminated and broke sideways on my wife. (She ways 112lbs and is a good but passive rider) The second set on my bike lasted a year and a half then got a sidewall crack. (I'm an expert rider, 130lbs). For my wife's wheel set we got a replacement rear rim after a month and a half of dealing with LB questionable customer service. For my CX wheel set I ended up just giving up after dealing with LB customer service and ended up buying a new rim replacement and a new Specialized carbon wheel set with a lifetime warranty. All the carbon wheel sets were $1200-$1400. Would I recommend LB? With so many carbon wheel sets in the same price zone I'd suggest going with a larger brand that has an excellent track record and warranty. Hope this helps!

[@bestdayevermtb2]

Thanks for the feedback. Haven't had to warranty any wheels so no experience with how LB deals with claims. I don't have this set anymore but sold them to a friend. He has had no issues with them. I still have a set that is about 7 years old now on my enduro bike and no issues there. I am currently running DT swiss aluminum wheels which so far have held up. I have always found Specialized warranties to be very good.

[@bshallard]

I have two pairs of Nextie Carbon wheels and they are awesome. One set is 28mm internal and the other is 25mm. The narrower set is the premium T800 carbon layup and the rims are only 300 grams each.... Very light and very fast.... and so far very strong too. I mostly just swap front wheels depending whether I want cornering grip or rolling speed.

[@bestdayevermtb2]

Are you into xc racing? Light wheels feel great but on an e bike it is all about strength.

[@bshallard]

@@bestdayevermtb2 No I'm into working hard and being a dad, and therefore being generally unfit, so I find the light wheels a bonus when I'm doing a more pedally ride. I definitely see an e-bike in my future, but maybe a couple of years away. Whatever I end up with will surely get some carbon wheels. Actually, light wheels can be a double edged sword. I like the extreme flickability but miss the ability to straight line rough sections. But that's why I have two sets. Both sets are crazy strong for their weight and I wouldn't want to go back to alloy.

[@BrentDunstan]

Conveniently they are the right size, axle standard and colour to fit my bike when your next bike comes with a new standard!

[@bestdayevermtb2]

I bet you I buy a mullet. Very few bikes 29 front and back at the moment.

[@rhysjames3835]

Sounds like you cleared all the jumps, you need to get worse at riding if you're going to become a product reviewer... Great video Lance, you're making some awesome content lately.

[@bestdayevermtb2]

Maybe the new wheels made me clear the jumps for a change.

[@rebeltr0users131]

Hey Lance! Any update on these in 2022, or are they long gone?

[@doyachdiat7855]

Nice. I've been umming and ahhing about ordering a set of carbon rims from LB for the past month or two. I think you may have swayed me. Cheers Lance!

[@bestdayevermtb2]

I was surprised to see this comment as the video has not gone public yet. It still down as unlisted? Anyway I was initially put off by the high postage but even with that they were 1/2 the price of a local NZ company. Only took 4 weeks from order to arrival.

[@doyachdiat7855]

Found it in your reviews playlist along with the haibike review. I guess I am supa doopa first 🤔

[@bestdayevermtb2]

@@doyachdiat7855 Thanks for that. Never realized that was possible. Even the Haibike video is not out till next Saturday. Good to know that loop hole exists anyway.

[@stephenburton302]

I hope you didn't do it! Back up service is terrible. I posted a review above, have a read!

[@doctorpc4x4]

As per usual another good vid. With regards to the 2 left gloves did you try turning your right hand over?

[@azzanaki6368]

Hay mate absolutely love all ya content. I'm interested in what safety gear you and the dads army wear when riding e.g. knee, shin, elbow, hands etc.cheers

[@MorenoArtStudio]

Really enjoy your videos mate. Finally someone of my age doing it

[@bestdayevermtb2]

Are you in your 30s too.🤣🤣🤣

[@MorenoArtStudio]

😂😂 I wish

[@CopperCityPatriot]

Recently acquired a pair for me lady's Giant Trance X. Commuting, light SC trails, and some Adirondack trails(lots of tree roots), and only the rear wheel needed to be slightly trued. Would I trust'em? At 260 pounds, I don't trust any carbon & most aluminum wheels.

[@bestdayevermtb2]

I am a light weight at only 220 pounds, but I would say my original set have been absolutely hammered in Whistler, Europe and NZ and still true and original spokes. Never had the same with aluminum. This pair in the review are still on an ebike with no issues. Carbon can be made very strong.

[@JunSi3010B]

These are the AM933 or Eduro EN933? Pressure front/rear? Your weight?

[@LandanBell27]

I saw you that day

[@BH-cy9tb]

I had carbon wheelset on my old ebike last year. What a big difference over stock aluminum. The carbon are the only way I can describe it as being more precise when turning. And my wheelset was Chinese carbon and they were great. I paid 675.00 US dollars for the set. Pre taped for tubless with valves. Congrats. Enjoy.

[@bestdayevermtb2]

I am in your camp definitely. Really enjoying them so far. The other cool thing is I have put road tires on the old wheels and went for a road ride today at the start of yet another lockdown.

[@BH-cy9tb]

@@bestdayevermtb2 wow. Never thought of that. I just got couple of weeks ago a new 2021 trek rail 5. And I wanted to get a set a carbon wheels but didn’t want the stock wheels just to sit on my house go to waste. But putting street tires on them is so smart. Thanks for great idea.

[@bestdayevermtb2]

@@BH-cy9tb During the first lockdown I used my ebike to ride the roads around my house but it rapidly destroys your tires. I had another cluster but had to swap the rotors over. May buy another set of rotors then it is a very quick swap and I save my good tires for off road. We are back in lockdown this week so did 50km ride out to beach and back with my wife on her road bike.

[@richarddevey]

what chinese brand did you opt for?

[@BH-cy9tb]

@@richarddevey I forgot the name but company is out of business.

[@DavidPeake1]

Have you ever tried a 35mm internal? I not long put one on mine and I can safely run 25psi and all trails without the tyre squirming or burping. With the standard 28mm on my Kenevo I couldn’t run less than 29 in the rear. Looks like a good purchase too, well priced 👍

[@bestdayevermtb2]

These are 33mm internal so quite wide. I do like wide rims.

[@TheAllEngineering]

I have always felt the rim tape for tubeless is a bit agricultural and on occasion there can be leakage around the stem. I have found the conical seal type stems better than the rectangular seal ones on rims that I have trouble getting to seal around the stem, so I only use conical. The issue when you get a leak here is that sealant migrates into the cavity between the beading area and the spoke nipple holes. I have used the caffelatex silicon rubber rim bands and find these to be really good. I don't think even you would have problems fitting these :-) It is as simple as stretching the band in place with the stem hole in alignment (position it there with stem loosely in place). Also in the event of a spoke replacement being required they can be removed then refitted for use again. There are probably other brands out there as well.

[@bestdayevermtb2]

Thanks for that advice. Even in my 50s I am still learning. The tire isn't leaking anymore but haven't bothered putting cushcore back in.

[@TheAllEngineering]

@@bestdayevermtb2 Ahh the cush core, really good if you want to run low pressure and have the reassurance of the protection for the rim that it offers, even better at extracting expletive's from the inexperienced !!!!

[@BristolPost]

You can specify LB wheels without spoke holes via a custom order. You then don’t need rim tape like the Mavic UST rim and should increase the strength as well.

[@drewpenn7440]

What's the name of the track at 3:26

[@bestdayevermtb2]

Skid track.

[@abduljamalutulam537]

how much do they cost?

[@connorwilsonbikes111]

I've cracked 2 carbon rims so ima stick to aloy for now

[@duncanh6045]

I just cracked 930am Light Bicycle rim the other day, only had it for a couple of months.

[@chrispark5795]

How long did they take to process and for you to receive them?

[@bestdayevermtb2]

Pretty quick, about 3 weeks but I did pay for the expensive shipping. I did this due to covid. The first set I sent sea freight and took longer but arrived ok.

[@Christoswanepoels]

What part of Riverhead are these jumps?

[@mitchcocker4514]

River head Wcrc smokers trail and skid track

[@bestdayevermtb2]

Mitch has this one covered.

[@Christoswanepoels]

@@bestdayevermtb2 will go there tomorrow 💪

[@ryanleyland2357]

What bike are you thinking of getting after this one?

[@bestdayevermtb2]

Not sure. Was thinking of an orbea wild fs but still undecided.

[@theziggyg]

Nice bit of air time there sunshine 🤪 bargain 💰 them there wheels 🤙🏽

[@bestdayevermtb2]

Hows the rail7 going?

[@Aaron5178]

Did customs cost a heap?

[@bestdayevermtb2]

Interestingly nothing which did reduce the cost I was expecting to pay.

[@Aaron5178]

@@bestdayevermtb2 weird because shipping for me was only 50 usd.. .

[@bestdayevermtb2]

@@Aaron5178 when did you get them?

[@Aaron5178]

@@bestdayevermtb2 tonight 👍

[@bestdayevermtb2]

@@Aaron5178 I did do the most expensive shipping option but $50usd was not an option for me. Good for you anyway.

[@golddiggerdave]

I'd have to say no to carbon wheels on an Ebike. I have some Hunts XC Race 29ers on my none ebike lighter than most carbon setups, stiff, a fraction of the price and roll forever. it's always nice getting some new shiny wheels!

[@bestdayevermtb2]

Wheel setups seem a personal choice. I am glad you like what you have.

[@golddiggerdave]

@@bestdayevermtb2 ones man meat and all that, for me id be gutted if I cracked the rims. Keep up the great videos mate!

[@vaughanboyce3702]

Prefer the feeling of alloy rims to carbon but that's just personal preference. Nice wheels thou...

[@bestdayevermtb2]

It is an interesting topic. Many DH and enduro riders prefer alloy. They give more and if they do fail are often still ridable. I have had both and love the stiffness of carbon and for me the reliability of them.

[@mightypaddy8792]

ive cracked many a rim including a few carbon so imma stay alloy

[@bestdayevermtb2]

Yes the carbon vs alloy debate is controversial. I have destroyed several alloy rims over the years. My current rims got dinged on the first ride and the spokes keep coming loose. My carbon wheels have never let me down. One day when I crash and my wheel explodes I may change my tune.

[@tiptopimdakillah3776]

Thought I was watching TopGear UK

[@rubenconzales9718]

You can destroy any rim, but carbon needs less TLC

[@bestdayevermtb2]

I agree with that. No rim is indestructible.

[@iisilenttrooper9651]

maybe carbon is just overrated and a bit of a scam....

[@bestdayevermtb2]

They are certainly more expensive. The reason I got them is my alloy ones kept needing the spokes tensioned. Carbon rims seem to stay true which I like.

[@roberthuxoll8500]

Awful - these are just carbon rims. For carbon wheels take a look on Spengle carbon wheels.