I’ve narrowed the wheel-set choices for my Stumpy FSR down to two. Would it be better to get a set of Easton Haven aluminum wheels, or is there any merit to getting a custom-built wheel-set, such as Hope Pro II hubs on Mavic 819s?

—Ed, who is true

MBA: The wheel builder is the unsung hero of a great set of wheels, and there are many tricks that good builders use to ensure the highest quality product. Both the wheel-sets you mention will be hand built. 

Our pick goes to Easton, but our reasoning is not because those wheels are necessarily better than the custom built wheel-set you mentioned. The Easton Havens get the edge because they were designed as a system versus a pairing of components that could lead to compatibility issues. Current “out of the box” wheels like the Havens are tough to beat. Unless you are working with somebody like Dave Thomas of Dave’s Wheels, (800) 275-5031, who is a wheel building artisan, you are better off sticking with a production wheel-set.

Hit the following link to ask Mountain Bike Action a question: mbaction@hi-torque.com