Road Cycling - Help with wheels

Hey all. I need some help. I’m heavy guy i.e. 250 lbs. I ride what I consider to be quite a bit, 60 to 100 miles a week. I started popping a few spokes a while ago. So I’ve decided to get another wheel as a backup. PLEASE, what is a good wheel for someone my size? Any suggestions for someone else who has an anti-cyclist body that loves to ride?

Thanks.

Hi,
I weigh about what you do. You didn't mention what you have for a bike, or it's wheels. So I don't know if it's 26" or 700c. But I'm not going to let a little thing like ignorance slow me down. You have a number of choices. There are touring rims
( http://www.nashbar.com/profile.cfm?category=113&subcategory=1128&brand=&sku=9369&storetype=&estoreid= ).

The Bontrager Fairlane is similar, you can see a pic here..
[urlhttp://www.rivendellbicycles.com/Webalog/wheels/18094.html[/url]

These weigh a ton, but are nearly indestructible. The next step down the weight ladder is the MA3, much lighter, and equipped with 36 spokes would do the trick (I think). I use a middleweight rim called the CXP33; it's the same weight as the MA3; but it is extremely strong. Unfortunately that also translates into a hard ride. The lightest rim I would consider would be the Torelli Master if you can find a 36 hole pair. Which one you get depends largely on how rough you and your roads are. Without knoe more, I would suggest MA3s, 36 spokes in rear, 32 in the front. I like double butted, but have no opinions about brands. I would also go a size or two larger in the tire; and build the wheel up with a good hub. Hard to beat Shimano Ultegra, but the 105 is fine.

Thanks. I guess I should have mentioned that I am riding a 2002 Trek 1200 with just the stock 700c Aurora rims.

Hi,
take a look at this tire. It may be the largest you can fit, it got a nice review from Bicycling, and I am planning on riding them next season. If your bike has long reach brakes, you might be able to go larger.

http://www.rivendellbicycles.com/Webalog/tires_tubes/10043.html

I just recently posted a similar questions and got some great results. You may want to look my post.

Interesting though, one of the wheels I asked about was the Bontrager Aero Lite, along with Shimano Dura Ace and Ritchy Logic Deep Z. Everyone said not to get any of them because of my weight (260). My LBS told me of a couple of big guys in their bike group who do use the Bontrager Aero Lite who ride about 100+ miles a weeks without any problems.

I decided to email each of the company's all agreed with the posts here accept Bontrager. Their tech guys said it would be "an excellent choice" even at my weight.

Food for thought anyway.

When I recently called Felt, to inquire whether thier bikes were suitable for a rider my size (280#), they told me the only concern was the wheelset, which was Mavic Ksyrium Elites. They called Mavic to ask them. Mavic said that the Ksyrium Elites were suitable, but I'd be better to get the Ksyrium SL's, as they are even a bit stronger than the Elites. The only downside was that the ride would prove to be on the harsh side, as those wheels are reported to be VERY stiff.

Have your old hubs rebuilt at a good shop using spoke washers, 14g spokes, and a Mavic touring or treking rim. The cxp33 is a good chioce as well, but it is an areo rim and really stiff. The ma3 is an entry level rim(ma3=$30, cxp33=$70)

Originally posted by itschris
I just recently posted a similar questions and got some great results.

What did you end up getting?

I haven't bought any new wheels yet. I'm actually confused really. Everyone here has pretty much said I need to have them built, but I've talked to a couple of different guys now, to of whom are very competive and active in the Clydesdale division who also use Bontrager Aero Lites with no problems. Another uses Velomax wheels, also without problems... he's 275. Considering that Bontrager sent me that email saying they would be fine, I'm probably leaning towards those rims. I just want to be sure, however, before I spend almost $800. I emailed Velomax this morning. I'll let you know what they have to say.

Hi,
is there a point to spending $800 on a set of wheels for you? If money is no object, why not. But putting 800 buck wheels on a $1k speedster doesn't make much sense to me. If you're racing, the equation changes a little.
At some point it makes more sense to to start a new bike fund.

I ride a Trek 2000 that is fitted with the Bontrager select wheel set and I have had no problems at all! I weigh 240 BTW, and have hit some holes in the road that nearly jared my teeth out!

Originally posted by uciflylow
I ride a Trek 2000 that is fitted with the Bontrager select wheel set and I have had no problems at all! I weigh 240 BTW, and have hit some holes in the road that nearly jared my teeth out!

I’m kinda leaning that way. It is encouraging to hear that Bontrager answered itschris’s email with a positive answer. I have not heard anything from them. While I would like to get the aero lites, I don’t want to shell out that kind of money at this point.

I was as heavy as 340 lbs when I bought my Raleigh Competition.

It came with these wheels (Shimano WH-R540):

http://bike.shimano.com/Wheels/Wheels_-_Road/componenttemplate.asp?partnumber=WH-R540


I have put over 200 miles on it so far without a single problem with spokes (KNOCK / KNOCK).

Originally posted by late
Hi,
is there a point to spending $800 on a set of wheels for you? If money is no object, why not. But putting 800 buck wheels on a $1k speedster doesn't make much sense to me. If you're racing, the equation changes a little.
At some point it makes more sense to to start a new bike fund.

I'm just slowly upgranding components on my bike. And will eventually buy a new frame and move those parts over to it. I like doing things that way. Yeah, it costs more, but I get to enjoy each new thing as it comes and it doesn't hurt as much as shelling out 3 or 4K at once. Wheels are one of the last things on my list followed by upgranding everything to DuraAce. I figure, when I get my new frame, I can put all my original components back on my Allez and have really nice 2nd bike.

Originally posted by Michael Marshal
I’m kinda leaning that way. It is encouraging to hear that Bontrager answered itschris’s email with a positive answer. I have not heard anything from them. While I would like to get the aero lites, I don’t want to shell out that kind of money at this point.

I heard back from Velomax via email today. I called them as well and they pretty much didn't see a problem. Here is their email response and my original question:

"While you're certainly outside what we feel is the ideal weight, you don't compare to our test rider David Anthony. He's been on the Tempest II for almost a year, including trailer towing. Based upon this, we don't anticipate any problems. But do bear in mind that light wheels always have compromises. If you want super heavy duty, you might wait until we introduce our Atlas model in 2004.

Check this out....

http://www.velomax.com/site/Riders/dma_coffee.htm


Regards,"


-----Original Message-----
From: Christopher Stanek [mailto:Christopher.Stanek@RaymondJames.com]
Sent: Tuesday, June 24, 2003 4:11 AM
To: info@velomax.com
Subject: Tempest II


I'm getting ready to purchase new wheels for my Specialized Allez. I'm a heavy rider, about 260, and I ride about 40-50 miles per week. Everyone keeps telling me that I will be breaking spokes and damaging rims every five minutes at my weight unless I go to a 32 or 36 spoke count. Currently I'm riding on Alx rims that have 18/20 count I believe and have experienced little problems.

I'm looking to upgrade for performance, and yes I will admit, looks as well, and I really like the Tempest II Aero style rim. Would this rim be acceptable for me, or do you feel that I'd experience problems at my size? Thank you in advance.



Christopher Stanek

Damn this is getting to be a tough decision! I was planning on ordering the selects today, but now I’m looking at Velomax’s offering. I have to order soon, as I need then by July 12th. Have you made a decision yet Chris?

I have asked just about everyone I know who has 1) experience themselves or 2) knows or is aquainted with someone who uses either of these rims.

I have received nothing but postive responses regarding both wheelsets and companies. So basically, I'm like you and have no idea which to choose. They're all about the same price at each point. I think both have about the same level of performance and quality. Technology? I'm not educated enough on it to tell the difference between gimmick and actual advances. Hopefully others here will chime in.

I guess what it comes down to is that whichever you choose, there won't be some glaring inequity that will make one a disasterous decision over the other, but like you, if I'm going to fork over the cash, I want the best choice of the two.

Just heard back from Bontrager.

Thank you for your email and interest.
Our strongest road wheel would be our Race Lite Tandem wheels. However, you don't need anything that strong unless you have a some serious wheel problems in the past. If not, I would look at Race Lite Aero's or the Race Lites.
Regarding weight: we discuss this every year and still do not have a weight limit, maybe we need one. But one thing is certain, if and when we do establish a limit, it will be more than 250lbs.. That doesn't mean the wheels are indestructible, it only means with reasonable care and maintenance the wheels should last a long time.


Ride them with confidence,

Jeff

I’m still undecided. I will make a decision by the end of the day. I’ll flip a quarter if I have to.

Well, the future has taken root in the present. I ordered the Velomax circuit wheel set. 28mm aero rim. Great price tag, Chris. Have you looked into these? Thanks for all the help and input guys! I’ll let you know how they ride.

Well, I think confidence-wise, you can't make a wrong choice. I do believe you have to buy skewers though with the Velomax wheels. I know nothing about them and have no idea how much they cost, so if they're expensive, maybe that will tilt you one way or the other. Then again, as silly as it sounds, which one looks better? Which would you rather see on your bike when you go outside to ride. For me, I like to have the "cool" stuff because it just makes me like my bike that much more which keeps me interested and riding. I just think, for myself only since I could care less about what anyone esle thinks, that's pretty damn cool to have the same wheels (brand-wise) as Lance Armstrong. For me it's mental thing. Childish I know, but it works.

Let us know what you decide.

Originally posted by Michael Marshal
Well, the future has taken root in the present. I ordered the Velomax circuit wheel set. 28mm aero rim. Great price tag, Chris. Have you looked into these? Thanks for all the help and input guys! I’ll let you know how they ride.

I just checked them out. I don't even remember which wheels you're using now, but I was thinking that if I was going to spend the money, I'd try and spend a little more to make a bigger jump from my Alx rims that came stock on my bike.

That's probably not really a valid assessment, however. Do you think there's a big difference between the Tempest ii and the Circuit? And how much better do you think each would be then my Alx rims on my Specialized Allez Elite.

By the way... Congrats! Those are hot wheels!

Can you give us a report on the Velomax Circuits? It's been about 2 months of riding, correct? Thanks...