DH wheel recs?

Spank 359 rims , rebuild your current set , and you still have the money to buy a full set of wheels from spank with hubs. 

Now you have 2 coomplete sets of quality wheels 

i've been happy with my FR560s here in the mid atlantic.  unfortunately those are only available in 26" anymore.  I just picked up a 541 to lace, will report back.  not crazy that it uses nipple washers instead of eyelets and requires the squorx nipples, but at least both were included with the rim (although the squorx nipples provided are alloy not brass)

I also have a set of reserve HD DH wheels, but only have a season on them.  been happy with those too.

I have the Reserve HD DH wheelset on my V10. I am not an aggressive rider, but I am over 200lbs. The rims have put up with two years of riding at Snowshoe with barely a spoke tweak needed. I’m happy with them. 

I'd recommend the aluminum Sidekick Grappler DH wheels. The Sidekick hub is so sick for PK reduction and for the freecoasting speed. Those wheels come in way under $1000.

Or you could build up a wheelset around the new an cheaper $250 Sidekick rear hub if you want to go the DIY route.

Just a heads up Reserve HD alloy is a CAT 4 rim, not technically DH rated. FR 541 and beefier FR 571 are CAT 5 rims. I am hard on rear wheels, poor technique, my Reserve alloys turned into pretzel in ~50 days, warranty was great.  Factor in ride feel on your particular frame for carbon vs alloy rims.

@TEAMROBOT - how’s the durability? I’m tempted to try the SP and drop my OChain, but have not had great durability from E13 in the past. Hubs are ones of those things where finding out they’re not reliability is a real hassle my the time you have to replace them.

I'm really impressed with the design and durability. One year of flogging on mine with no issues.

They clearly overbuilt the first generation of these Sidekick hubs to overcome that exact reputation. The new generation of hubs is lighter and cheaper, but they're keeping the heavier brick-shithouse gen 1 model if you're extra paranoid about reliability. The gen 1 version is now called the "GR" version. I really need to publish this review!!

You do! I’m not buying one until I read it!

My Sidekick has held up to 1.5 seasons so far. I do clean and re-lube freehub periodically. O-Chain does a better job with chain feedback and the engagement is softer b/c of the elastomers, but way more intricate maintenance. When I case a jump, it’s noticeable on the Sidekick.

Thanks, that’s a good comparison. I’ve not found o chain too bad for maintenance although the 4 bolts holding them together need a bit of maintenance and loctite.

O-Chain elastomers need to swapped out ~75hrs and ~150hrs for full rebuild kit, kits are pricey for what they are. I have an OG Rev 4 that still uses a paper gasket. I have stocked up on parts, but going to give Rimpact a try since I am staying with RF cranks.

Sidekick is nothing by comparison, just clean and re-grease.  Old GR one comes with a 5yr warranty.  New Pro comes with lifetime including bearings. And another upside for Sidekick, is I share that wheel-set between two bikes.