I've been looking at new wheelsets (QR, 100 F/135 R, six bolt disc preferred) in the sub $600 range and would like to hear local peoples experiences/opinions. Some of the options on my radar:
Sun Ringle Charger Pros
Easton EC70, EC90 and Haven
Stan's Arch and Flow
Others? Custom build?
Backstory: I bought a 2010 stumpy fsr elite a little over a year ago. Love the bike but am more and more annoyed with the wheelset (don't remain true, multiple broken spokes, etc.). Ride aggressive XC (e.g. La Costa a couple times during the week and SJT/Noble on the weekends); nascar is pretty much the limit of my current ability (still haven't hit the last box drop or doubles at the bottom), weigh ~170 with full kit and consider myself a fairly smooth rider. Had Easton XC Ones on my previous bike (sold to pay for current ride) and they seemed more robust on the same trails than the stock DT swiss rims/shimano hubbed wheels on my stumpy.
Thanks in advance for any useful input,
Aaron

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It is not enough to fight for the West; it is even more important to enjoy it. While you can. While it's still here. -Edward Abbey

Buy some hope hoops through wiggle. Hope pro II evo hubs laced to many popular rims for around $375 for a pair with voucher. And it's easily convertible when you eventually change to 15/20mm axles.

Build your own. I used to bend wheels all the time, so I went with Hope hubs (36 spoke in the rear and 32 up front), DT swiss double butted spokes, and Mavic rims, and it totaled me less than $600. The rear wheel hasn't been bent yet, and I just bent the front a little this week at one of the big drops at Balboa Park.

Hubs: ~$350 (250 rear, 100 front)
Spokes: ~$80
Rims: ~ $120
Total: $550 after BikeBling 15% discount = $467

Someone here will likely build the wheels for you really cheap.

Easton Havocs, they are all mtn, a little wider and not much heavier, you can find them for under $300, usually run $700. All above post are good.

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"Just stop this walking shit and let's get this done"
Avidtesty (Arch 2019)

Hey,
Thanks for all of the ideas guys!

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It is not enough to fight for the West; it is even more important to enjoy it. While you can. While it's still here. -Edward Abbey

The guys over at NOTB set me up with a new set of Arch EX at a good price. l love the new hoops.

I bought the same bike with DT wheels and had the same problem. More broken spokes than I have ever had on all bikes combined. Went to NOTB and they set me up with a set of Stans Flow's and I have not had a single problem since they were put on. Went tubeless atthe same time and all can say about he combination is WOW.

Jim