Any local shops sell Stans rims?

[DaveG]

My I9 rear hub is crapping out on me (bearings) and I'm thinking about getting a set of wheels w/ Stans 29er Flow rims. Do any local shops deal w/ Stans?

Thanks,
Dave

[jabberwocky]

My I9 rear hub is crapping out on me (bearings)...Thus proving that no high-end hub can withstand your riding.

Seriously, I9 better be sending you a whole new wheel for what they charge. Have you even had those for a year?!

[rciracing]

You can get Stans through QBP, so I would say all/most shops deal Stans. Can't say that I know of any that actually stock those rims.

[DKEG]

My I9 rear hub is crapping out on me (bearings) and I'm thinking about getting a set of wheels w/ Stans 29er Flow rims. Do any local shops deal w/ Stans?

Thanks,
Dave
I don't think QBP stocks them. I remember Avalon (germantown store) trying to set up a account with Stan's. Call John and ask if they ever did? If not try The Bike Escape I think they may have. HalfKeg bought some, He must have done it thru the Escape.

[randyg1]

I got my Stan's wheels at the Bike Doctor in Waldorf.

[eloach]

Seems like The Bike Lane almost always has several hanging on the racks.

[CountZero]

I'm sure that if you were to call Jeff B. at Industry Nine and ask for assistance, he would make your wheel right in a most economical and expedient fashion.

I damaged my rear wheel through user error, and they helped me get it fixed immediately and inexpensively.

[DaveG]

Thus proving that no high-end hub can withstand your riding.

Seriously, I9 better be sending you a whole new wheel for what they charge. Have you even had those for a year?!

I put a lot of miles on them (~1500-2000?) but that's not too much to ask I think.

And I've been hearing symptoms for the last couple of months that I've been trying to track down. Unfortunately I bought the whole bike new from e-bay, so no warranty. I'll contact I9 and explain what's going on, but I since I'm the second owner I'm expecting to have to pay.

Hopefully it's a simple bearing issue and I can repair it somewhat cheaply and then unload them or probably keep them for a backup set of wheels.

It's funny, I wasn't happy w/ my Chris King hubs because they had a lot of drag and they kept coming loose on me, but at least they never broke! I'm probably going to go back to them again.

Sigh....

[DaveG]

I'm sure that if you were to call Jeff B. at Industry Nine and ask for assistance, he would make your wheel right in a most economical and expedient fashion.

I damaged my rear wheel through user error, and they helped me get it fixed immediately and inexpensively.

Yeah, I've heard nothing but good things about their customer service. I needed a backup set of wheels anyway and this just forced my hand a little bit. Plus I wanted to try some Stans rims, so it's a win/win :)

I pulled it apart a couple of weeks ago to see if there was anything obviously wrong, but I didn't see anything. The pawls looked perfect. I neglected to check the bearings on the freehub though, and I think that's the problem.

Dave

[jabberwocky]

Kings aren't as blingy, but they tend to be pretty reliable (your past experience notwithstanding). No hub costing more than Kings should have bearing issues, at least IMO. Thats just silly.

Have you exploded a Hope yet? Those are relatively cheap (at least compared to I9s/Kings), light and available in teh pretty colors. Engagement is a lot slower than other options though, dunno how much that would bug you.

[TiRyder]

Plum Grove deals with Stans, and may have some in stock.

We ended up with 3 sets of I9's last year on employee bikes(1 mine) and we all sold or destroyed them in a matter of months. We all went back to Kings and have had no problems, as expected.

[Dirt]

I was in The Bike Lane Friday afternoon and I'm pretty sure they had a few Stans hanging up in the shop.

[BikerMiker]

I just built up a set of Stans Olympic rims for MattyD on Kings. They built up pretty well. As well as any other rim anyway.

My only concern is the lack of an eyelet. I'm not sure about the REAL impact of eyelets on rims but I like them and always try to build wheels with rims with eyelets. I build exclusively with aluminum nipples and like the steel eyelet on aluminum better than sharp aluminum rim on aluminum. I think the lack of eyelet explains the light weight.

If you are tough on wheels, I (personally) would recommend somebody as cocky as me build them for you. I've had people put flat spots in rims the size of your head without breaking a spoke. I'll buy you a new rim/spokes if my build falls apart...

City Bikes can get Stan's for you also. In Chevy Chase, they have the 2oz solution bottles around. Obviously we have an account with them. They have been easy to deal with. We'll see how Matty's King/Olympic/Alpine III spokes in 28h hold up this year. I'll be at almost every race with him so if they don't hold up, you'll see me walking around with my head hanging low. Needless to say, don't expect to see that...

mike

[ChrisJ]

Was in Bike Lane last week and they had a few Flows in stock. They also usually have a set of Olympics in stock. Had them build up my wheels on 240s and no issues.

[DKEG]

Was in Bike Lane last week and they had a few Flows in stock. They also usually have a set of Olympics in stock. Had them build up my wheels on 240s and no issues.
Dave, have'nt you already destroyed a 240 rear? I think it was at E. Furance. The hub body cracked, Right?

[ridethewomble]

The hub body cracked, Right?
From what I've read, and been told, that issue was caused by an annodization process they have stopped using. Er, and I hope I'm right about that, because I just ordered parts for a new wheelset, including some 240's. :rolleyes:

[DaveG]

From what I've read, and been told, that issue was caused by an annodization process they have stopped using. Er, and I hope I'm right about that, because I just ordered parts for a new wheelset, including some 240's. :rolleyes:

Yeah, that's what I heard too, and from reputable sources I trust. I broke two of them, both at really inconvenient times, so I'm still a bit gun-shy.

They're light and really easy to work on though. The engagement is a bit slow, but it's not a deal breaker.

[brian_brox]

Conte's carries Stans rims, too

[DaveG]

I'm sure that if you were to call Jeff B. at Industry Nine and ask for assistance, he would make your wheel right in a most economical and expedient fashion.

I damaged my rear wheel through user error, and they helped me get it fixed immediately and inexpensively.

You weren't kidding about I9. I called them, they gave me a RA number and are going to provide me w/ a call tag so I don't have to pay shipping! After they told me this I explicitly told them that I had bought it off of e-bay and not from a shop and they told me that it wasn't a problem and that the warranty was transferable.

Fantastic service.

[eloach]

This thread seems ideal place for this question:

Does a hub on a rigid bike take a lot more stress than a hub that is suspended?

I have been riding my rigid SS more lately and was curious about this since I developed some squeaking the 240 front hub. I had just greased the skewer after noticing some squeaking on the prior ride.

The hub doesn't have that many miles on it but I have ridden it down Bear Wallow and at FH.

[CountZero]

Your squeaking is probably due to some grit wedged between the end cap and the hub shell.

I would just drip some chain lube or similar fluid (solvent + lubricant) in there.

[DaveG]

My I9 rear hub is crapping out on me (bearings) and I'm thinking about getting a set of wheels w/ Stans 29er Flow rims. Do any local shops deal w/ Stans?

Thanks,
Dave

Just thought I'd let folks know how that all worked out. I9 has the BEST customer service I've ever experienced.

Turns out the rear hub shell was slightly out of tolerance where the freehub bearings pressed in causing the freewheel to "walk" a little under power.

I9 told me to send it back to them; they provided a pre-paid FedEx label for me. After getting the wheel they gave me a call to let me know what the problem was, and that they were going to replace the hub shell. Jeff also mentioned that the rear rim was really beaten up and had a few flat spots in it. Since they were going to rebuild the wheel he offered to rebuild it w/ a different rim for a REALLY good price. So, I got a new Stans Flow rim built on for 60 bucks. When I got the wheel back (~ 2 weeks total time) I realized that I had a TOTALLY new rear hub. They also replaced the spokes that had any visible damage. So, I basically got a new rear wheel w/ the Rim I wanted for 60 bucks.

Not too shabby. The really cool part is that I told them that I bought the wheels as part of a complete bike off of e-bay. Not a problem.

I9 wheels may be expensive, but DAMN they really stand behind them.

Dave

[punga]

Just thought I'd let folks know how that all worked out. I9 has the BEST customer service I've ever experienced.

Turns out the rear hub shell was slightly out of tolerance where the freehub bearings pressed in causing the freewheel to "walk" a little under power.

I9 told me to send it back to them; they provided a pre-paid FedEx label for me. After getting the wheel they gave me a call to let me know what the problem was, and that they were going to replace the hub shell. Jeff also mentioned that the rear rim was really beaten up and had a few flat spots in it. Since they were going to rebuild the wheel he offered to rebuild it w/ a different rim for a REALLY good price. So, I got a new Stans Flow rim built on for 60 bucks. When I got the wheel back (~ 2 weeks total time) I realized that I had a TOTALLY new rear hub. They also replaced the spokes that had any visible damage. So, I basically got a new rear wheel w/ the Rim I wanted for 60 bucks.

Not too shabby. The really cool part is that I told them that I bought the wheels as part of a complete bike off of e-bay. Not a problem.

I9 wheels may be expensive, but DAMN they really stand behind them.

Dave
FWIW... Cane Creek did the same thing for me on 2 different occasions for my Zonos wheels (RIP). First time, they replaced the front, crash damaged wheel free, second time, replaced the rear wheel out of warranty for $110.

Good to see they took care of you.

p!

[DaveG]

FWIW... Cane Creek did the same thing for me on 2 different occasions for my Zonos wheels (RIP). First time, they replaced the front, crash damaged wheel free, second time, replaced the rear wheel out of warranty for $110.

Good to see they took care of you.

p!

Nice! It's a shame they got out of the MTB wheel market. It's always good to hear about companies that stand behind their products.

[jabberwocky]

Thats some good service. I still think their wheels function mainly as pretty bike jewelry, but at least the company stands behind them.

[DaveG]

Thats some good service. I still think their wheels function mainly as pretty bike jewelry, but at least the company stands behind them.

Yeah, I mostly agree. Like I said, I wouldn't have bought them myself; they came with the bike. I will say that you do get spoiled by 120 point engagement though; I used Shannon's American Clasic wheel for a couple of rides and I really missed the engagement. The American Classic wheel was also WAY flexier. Not a surprise as it was close to 1/2 pound lighter than the I9.


I went ahead and got a set of CK/Arch wheels; I'll probably keep the I9's as backup wheels or move them over to my SS when I get a decent frame. I just can't bring myself to put the I9's on a surly karate monkey ;)

[CountZero]

I still think their wheels function mainly as pretty bike jewelry

In their defense, Industry Nine wheels are lighter and, in my experience, stronger than comparably priced "system" wheelsets.

I think that I9's image suffers because a lot of internet douchebags (MTBR, anyone?) with more money than bike skills decorate their bikes with I9 wheels.

Again, in my personal experience, my I9 wheels have been more durable and functional than anything I've owned aside from my Hugi 240's.

I prefer the I9's because I really like the idea of a few guys in a machine shop selling wheelsets that are "one louder" than anything else out there. Yes, in the end it's an aesthetic choice, but my two I9 wheelsets rock.

Let's say that I9 marketed only their conventional hubs; strong, light, beautifully machined, comparably priced to Hadley's, Hugi's and King's, and backed by an Uncle Enzo-style personal guarantee. How would you feel about them then?

It's a rhetorical question, but I do think that I9's unconventional approach has an unintended negative consequence - the appearance of poseurdom. My good friends at Maverick suffer a similar problem, despite the technical superiority of their products.

Sometimes it pays to give the appearance of conventionality. You can only push people so far. But some companies seem to have it figured out!

Take Turner Bikes for instance: They sell a technically unconventional system masked by a highly conventional appearance.

- Tommy

[jabberwocky]

To be fair, I say the same thing about King stuff and I own a few of those. :) Theres nothing wrong with pretty bike jewelry.

From talking to owners, Daves story seems pretty typical of I9 (for good and bad). The bad is that they don't seem to have a fully mature product yet, and it seems a pretty high percentage of people have issues. The good is that they 100% stand behind their product and seem very interested in improving it.

And hey, more choices in high-end hubs and wheels are definitely a good thing.

[DaveG]

I think that I9's image suffers because a lot of internet douchebags (MTBR, anyone?) with more money than bike skills decorate their bikes with I9 wheels.


I resemble that comment ;)

WRT stiffness and weight, my I9 rear wheel w/ DT 7.1 rim was way heavier than the AC wheel I used, and slightly heavier than the CK/Delgado wheel I borrowed to put on there. They may be lighter than some, but they're not SUPER light. These are all 29er wheels I'm talking about BTW.

I also wasn't blown away by their stiffness until I compared them to the AC wheels. They're night and day stiffer than those. It's going to be interesting to compare the I9's to the new CK/Arch set I'm getting in terms of weight and stiffness. There will be no comparison in terms of looks :)

Dave

[CountZero]

The thing that I always hated about my rear King wheel, as we've discussed in the past, is that danged bearing pre-load ring. Mine would back its way off regularly during rides. Could not stand it!

Anyway, I just converted my rear wheels to run 10mm through-axles, and in the course of my research found that King's 10mm setup uses a preload ring with a set screw; similar to but not the same as I9. This appears to correct my problem and may warrant a return to King in my future.

Chris, I suspect you're already on King's bolt-on setup. But Dave, you must try this one day, preferably with a DT RWS through bolt. The difference in clamping force versus a regular QR, and thus rear end stiffness, is huge.

[jabberwocky]

The thing that I always hated about my rear King wheel, as we've discussed in the past, is that danged bearing pre-load ring. Mine would back its way off regularly during rides. Could not stand it!

Anyway, I just converted my rear wheels to run 10mm through-axles, and in the course of my research found that King's 10mm setup uses a preload ring with a set screw; similar to but not the same as I9. This appears to correct my problem and may warrant a return to King in my future.

Chris, I suspect you're already on King's bolt-on setup. But Dave, you must try this one day, preferably with a DT RWS through bolt. The difference in clamping force versus a regular QR, and thus rear end stiffness, is huge.Of my 3 rear King hubs, one is QR, one is bolt on and the third is 12mm thru axle.

The design of the solid axle hubs (bolt on and thru axle) is different, and to my mind superior. Word is that even the QR hubs are now coming with the solid axle setup, just with QR inserts installed. If true (I haven't seen it confirmed) than it means all King rear hubs have the preload ring with the set screw now.

Tommy is definitely right: the bolt on setup is substantially stiffer. If I could go back in time I would get a bolt on hub (with SS driveshell) instead of the QR hub I have now. Thats mainly a result of my riding style (I prefer strength and stiffness over weight).

I will say that I have had no issues with any of my hubs (including the QR one). They all needed to be tightened 2 or 3 times when they were breaking in but haven't need any care since. I know that loosening problems are the primary complaint people have about King hubs though.