Modern bike question (sorry)

So as not to destroy my Retro Sex Three I have made the terrible mistake of recently purchasing a Kona Kula - thinking it would be similar to a Kula I once had (easton tubing etc).
Anyway - as I have been "out to grass" for so long I need some advice as it is all too confusing these days

Here is the spec:-
Model Year: 2009

Specification:
Frame Kona Race Light 7005 Aluminum Butted
Rear Shock NA
Fork RockShox Recon SL 100mm
Headset TH
Chainset FSA Moto
Chainrings 44/32/22
B/B FSA MegaExo
Pedals Shimano M505 Clipless
Chain Shimano Deore
Cassette Shimano Deore (11-32, 9spd)
Front Mech Shimano Deore
Rear Mech Shimano XT Shadow
Shifters Shimano Deore
Handlebar Kona XC/BC Riser
Stem Kona XC/BC
Grips Kona Race Light
Brakes Shimano M575 Hydraulic Disc
Brake Levers Shimano M575 Hydraulic
Front hub Formula Disc
Rear hub Shimano M525 Disc
Spokes Sandvik Stainless 15g
Tyres Maxxis Ignitor 26x2.1 Kevlar
Rims Sun DS2-XC
Saddle WTB Rocket V Comp
Seatpost Kona XC/BC
Seat clamp Kona Clamp


I am changing the stem and handlebars to better suit my large casual riding style, but have noticed already after only a handful of rides that the front wheel is out of true and I had to bend the disc back slightly as this was catching and screetching as it wasnt true.. After a bit of research it seems nearly every component is pretty low cost stuff :cry: so if I was to upgrade and make the whole experience slightly better I thought the wheels would be a good start.??
If you had a budget of £300 what wheel set would you recommend. I would like a lighter set than currently - with minimum maintenence - ok for all mountain use.
Here is a link to Merlins factory wheel offers - any of these worth changing to?
Other ideas welcome too.
Thanks in advance
http://www.merlincycles.co.uk/mountain-and-road-bike-wheels/factory-mountain-bike-wheels

Frame, forks & rear mech are pretty good bits of kit, the rest of the stuff is ok, but will work wel & should last quite well too

I'd go for a custom build from Merlin, should be better quality build than a machine built wheel.

Something like XT hubs, Mavic XC717 disc rims (or XM719 if you want tougher heavier duty rims) laced with DT Comp S/S double butted spokes

Front = £75 (XC717 rims)
Rear = £85 (XC717 rims)

Or XTR hubs instead..

Or if you really wanna splash out Hope ProII hubs, if you can stand the deafening noise from the freehub body, you do have to use an alloy carrier bodied cassette (like XT) or the alloy freehub carrier will get gouged (Deore will do this)



PS my car still looks mint

Or if you really wanna splash out Hope ProII hubs, if you can stand the deafening noise from the freehub body, you do have to use an alloy carrier bodied cassette (like XT) or the alloy freehub carrier will get gouged (Deore will do this)

Click to expand...

that noise is pure porn! xD

Rocker9455":wd671xwl said:

Or if you really wanna splash out Hope ProII hubs, if you can stand the deafening noise from the freehub body, you do have to use an alloy carrier bodied cassette (like XT) or the alloy freehub carrier will get gouged (Deore will do this)

Click to expand...

that noise is pure p*rn! xD

Click to expand...

I know :twisted:

not to everyone's taste though, quite a few comments were made @ the Big Dirty Weekender about how f*#?ing loud they are, although I could hardly hear them as I freewheeled along...

Andy B":12jh67d9 said:

Rocker9455":12jh67d9 said:

Or if you really wanna splash out Hope ProII hubs, if you can stand the deafening noise from the freehub body, you do have to use an alloy carrier bodied cassette (like XT) or the alloy freehub carrier will get gouged (Deore will do this)

Click to expand...

that noise is pure p*rn! xD

Click to expand...

I know :twisted:

not to everyone's taste though, quite a few comments were made @ the Big Dirty Weekender about how f*#?ing loud they are, although I could hardly hear them as I freewheeled along...

Click to expand...

Haha - i really want to get a pair on the cheap or a built wheelset but i doubt a can afford them not on a full £600 budget for everything. . . but hey maybe i might get lucky. ..

Andy - yeah I like the Hope noise but dont understand the alloy carrier bit.????
Is this right then?:-

REAR
Rim Upgrades: XC717 Disc
Spoke Upgrades: DT S/S Plain Guage
Hub Upgrades: Hope Pro 11 135mm Std Q/R Pro 11 Hub Colour: Blue

FRONT
Spoke Upgrades: DT S/S Plain Guage
Rim Upgrades: XC717 Disc
Hub Upgrades: XT 6 Bolt Disc
Pro 11 Hub Colour: Black

Sorry to sound useless. Will I notice the difference with this setup over existing?

Antiquekona":2y0d6vdt said:

Andy - yeah I like the Hope noise but dont understand the alloy carrier bit.????
Is this right then?:-

REAR
Rim Upgrades: XC717 Disc
Spoke Upgrades: DT S/S Plain Guage
Hub Upgrades: Hope Pro 11 135mm Std Q/R Pro 11 Hub Colour: Blue

FRONT
Spoke Upgrades: DT S/S Plain Guage
Rim Upgrades: XC717 Disc
Hub Upgrades: XT 6 Bolt Disc
Pro 11 Hub Colour: Black

Sorry to sound useless. Will I notice the difference with this setup over existing?

Click to expand...

sounds very nice! i envy you! on my old trek 8000(remember this bike costs £1.1k new) i had some shitty bonty wheels - those should be miles better! rim upgrades are great lighter rims really make a difference

or if your feeling adventourous (spelt wrong)
get your LBS to build up these (buy new rims)
http://www.pinkbike.com/buysell/515918/
http://www.pinkbike.com/buysell/519763/

Those will give you years of use, never had a problem with mine

Might be worth checking your hub colour though, looks like you selected blue up front and black at the back.

Antiquekona":33nd0atl said:

Andy - yeah I like the Hope noise but dont understand the alloy carrier bit.????

Click to expand...

The hope freehub body is made of an alloy for weight reduction, the alloy carrier part on the cassette is the part in red on this Sram one



This is a standard (non alloy carrier) cassette



On a Hope ProII you need either an XT, XTR or Sram PG990 cassette or the freehub body will end up looking like this



& you will have trouble removing the cassette (it will come off with some persuasion)

Is this right then?:-

REAR
Rim Upgrades: XC717 Disc
Spoke Upgrades: DT S/S Plain Guage
Hub Upgrades: Hope Pro 11 135mm Std Q/R Pro 11 Hub Colour: Blue

FRONT
Spoke Upgrades: DT S/S Plain Guage
Rim Upgrades: XC717 Disc
Hub Upgrades: XT 6 Bolt Disc
Pro 11 Hub Colour: Black

Sorry to sound useless. Will I notice the difference with this setup over existing?

Click to expand...

I'd upgrade the spokes to double butted DT Comp spokes (lighter yet just as strong)

You could go for matching hubs as well if you want, the ProII is available in a std QR version.