XLR8 rides with Scott whenever on Sydney’s Northern Beaches, where the trails are rocky, steep and very technical. Scott really wanted a lighter set of hoops for his 27.5+ Rocky Mountain - but they also had to be stiffer and lighter than the alloy hoops that came with the bike.Being a bit of a gear smasher, and not one for doing much maintenance, Project321 hubs are a wise choice. They are super tough, ultra reliable and have the fastest engagement he required for steep step ups and rock slabs. Even in black (they come in a wide array of cool anodised colours) they are super trick looking a well.
Rim choice was pretty easy. Nextie offer so many options in carbon layup (for every discipline) and width that it was not hard to find a combo that would work. The Nextie “Crocodile” externally butted rim was selected for the rear wheel. These are 40mm wide external (35mm internal) and the extra carbon around the spoke holes makes for a tough rim, without much added weight.
For the front, a lighter weight rim was used (as front wheels just don’t get the same kind of hammering as rears) - in this case a touch wider to accomodate the wide 2.8” tyre Scott likes to rim. These Premium rims are 42mm wide and 37mm internal.
Sapim Race double butted spokes were used on front and rear wheels, with black brass nipples to keep the whole wheel set super stealth.
