Need advice on new wheelset.

You'll not go wrong with Hope Hubs, best VFM hubs you can buy.

Rims, I like Stans Flow EX and Pacenti DL31 rims. Maxxis tyres are a bloody tight fit on Flow EXs which is a good/bad thing.

I can't comment on the tubelessability of the Pacentis but tyres are defo looser.

Also worth a look are these guys:
http://www.superstarcomponents.com/en/

I have had 2 pairs of wheels from them, they are super cheap and (exploding freehub aside, design now fixed) both have been pretty good.

Everyone seems stoked on the hope hubs! one question, I have 142mm x 12 rear, Will I need an adapter if I were to buy 135mm QR rear wheel?

hope hubs can be changed from 135 to 142 not sure if you can convert a 12mm to a QR set-up .

The look nice but are bloody expensive about 850$ Canadian, and that's not including duty, which I assume would be tacked on. I might just keep my eyes open on PinkBike

you can swap them with an axle kit and end caps. to whatever configuration you want, there is a kit.

Why would you buy a qr wheel for that spacing? That's a significant downgrade…

The look nice but are bloody expensive about 850$ Canadian, and that's not including duty, which I assume would be tacked on. I might just keep my eyes open on PinkBike

decent wheels sets are not cheap , Hope Hubs are around $360 for the pair , decent rims are around $100/$125 each and spokes and nipples can add up to $100 easy , add labor to build and such and BAMM!!! Your looking at $700 to $800 easy

If you don't mind ordering online, you can get DT Swiss EX471 for a little over 50Euro each. They come with Squorx nipples and washers (required actually). Same width as the Flows, but a deeper profile. Owning both Flows and EX471, the latter definitely has a stiffer feel.

Another vote for Hope's on Flows. I'm about 220lbs with gear and have been very happy with them on my trail bike. Watch for sales if you are looking for 26", I picked up a pair from Different Bikes last winter for $150.

aweestern might be onto something, 471's for 50 euros sounds pretty good, and aren't those the rims Gwin did his no-tire run on?

There is also the slightly wider, heavier, probably more robust FR 570 27.5 rim if you are a heavier, more bull in a china shop type of rider.

The 40T Pro2s I have are loud AF. Not quite like the three other 240s rear hubs I have.

If I was heading back to an alloy rim I'd be looking at the EX471.

I don't know much about hub sizes, but when looking for a used wheel I'm not seeing many 142x12 rear wheels out there, it's more 150mm or 135mm. What are my options for the Slayer?

There is also the slightly wider, heavier, probably more robust FR 570 27.5 rim if you are a heavier, more bull in a china shop type of rider.

The 40T Pro2s I have are loud AF. Not quite like the three other 240s rear hubs I have.

If I was heading back to an alloy rim I'd be looking at the EX471.

The EX471 is in every way superior to the ex500 and likely the 570.

Light stiff and doesn't dent. I am willing on a 650b set and recommend them. I will build a pair for my dh bike after I destroy my next wheels.

I bought the hope flow combo people are recommending. paid $300 on a pinkbike superdeal - awesome-ish. I'd go wider if I could afford it but they are very nice wheels

My rear wheel finally shit the bed, so I need to get something relatively soon, I was looking at the chain reaction custom wheel build. The Hope hubs seem to be the best bet so I think I'll go with those. I would grab the flowEX rim or the DT swiss 471ex but they don't seem to be available on CRC. The flow is, but they are out of the 26" rims.

So here is what I am thinking of ordering, HopePro2 rear hub on a Mavic EN521, and double butted spokes for 340$, any thoughts?

I'm about 180 lbs and sometimes I'll do 3-4' drop to flats and the odd park day on my slayer, just wondering if that rim will hold up to some abuse, or should I go with a DH rim.