700c wheelset with 6 bolt disc hubs

[jabberwocky]

I imagine any light race MTB wheelset would work. As long as the rim is relatively narrow it should mount road tires ok. I think your budget might be unrealistic though (remember the old saying, “light, strong, cheap, pick two).

You might look at just building your own.

[Dirt]

Aftermarket hubs are pretty much always expensive.

Shimano XT hubs are available in 6-bolt and though heavy, have the advantage of being quite durable. Anything that might break on them is pretty inexpensive to replace. I liked the engagement and feel of XT over X9. I always felt like I had to pedal 1/4 turn to get the X9 to engage. I know that is an exaggeration, but that’s what it felt like.

DMR is a British brand that makes pretty good hubs. They’re inexpensive and light. I haven’t used their rear hubs before, but I’ve had a front that has taken a pretty good beating and held up very well for at least 3 years. They are under $150 for the pair. It looks like the rear hub only comes in bolt-on though. It is the good kind of bolt-on at least. They may be compatible with a QR skewer. I can’t tell from their descriptions.

It is hard to beat Velocity Fusion rims for combination of light weight and durability. They’re narrow, but I’ve beaten the crap out of many sets and only had one with issues… you saw the dent I put in it while riding through a rock garden in Great Falls on my ‘cross bike. Certainly NOT what the rim was designed to do. Even with that huge dent, the rim is still straight as an arrow and strong as the day is long.

Something to think about at least.

[vvill]

Thanks guys. I’ll look into the XT hubs and Velocity Fusion rims. Whatever I end up getting will probably be a built set instead of off the shelf.

My budget isn’t actually set to anything but I definitely want to get something in the “sweet spot” of the value curve. Paying enough to get something actually good but not paying over the top for diminishing returns. I understand the “road with disc hub” wheel market is nowhere near as mature as it is for normal road wheels.

[Author]

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