Clydesdales/Athenas (200+ lb / 91+ kg) - Why wouldn't one want 48 spokes?

They have a sale on Nashbar right now for Sun tandem/touring rims with 40 or 48 holes. $9.99.

Now, why wouldn't I want the 48 hole rims? I'm 210, so I probably don't need them, but why wouldn't one want as many spokes as they could get?

Tandem touring.

But I thought Clydes should consider tandem wheels because they're built stronger.

Here are my guesses (not that I agree with them):

Not exactly cool-looking
Somewhat hard to find 48-hole hub that is not a tandem hub (i.e. wider than 135mm)
Possibly higher labor cost to build wheels
The more common 36-hole wheels can be strong enough with correct parts and build


If I need a super strong wheel, and I can easily find 48-hole front and rear hubs, I would get 10 of those rims for $10, and be set for the foreseeable future. Assuming, of course, that those Sun rims are good rims.

OK, so let's say $10 more to get the wheel built, which you don't care about because you're saving $40 on the rim. You don't care if it's not cool looking, because you're sick of breaking spokes or tacoing wheels. And yes, supposedly normal wheels can be strong enough, but...well, it seems to be a major concern on this board.

So as far as sizing goes, which seems to be the issue, are tandem wheels a different width and won't fit on our normal bikes, then? Sheldon Brown has hubs for sale and they measure 100 mm in the front and 145 in the back... How do these sizes compare to, say, your average road bike?

I think* I have a 40 spoke wheel on the back of my Atlantis....

48 spoke wheels are heavy
48 spokes are expensive
& the 48 spoke rear hub on our tandem is $250.:eek:

thats a lot of spokes.

thats a lot of spokes.
HERE ia a lot of spokes :eek:
144 spoke
http://www.aztlanbicycle.com/images/products/lowrider-bikes/P2180167.JPG

Thats some BLING mike!!!!

At 210, I think you would be good on 32 or 36 spoke count. I think 40 or 48 is overkill. I have 36 spoke on my hybrid and and 32 spoke on the road bike and don't have any issues. I am 295.

Since most loaded touring rigs I've seen run on 36 I can't imagine needing to go much above that unless you're really paranoid. I think the additional weight and hub cost would make the entire package prohibitive for me. The only way I would look at that much is if I was building my own wheels and acquired the parts (or at least some of them) for extra-super cheap.

If a glass of wine a day is good for you, a half gallon must be great.

At 210, I think you would be good on 32 or 36 spoke count. I think 40 or 48 is overkill. I have 36 spoke on my hybrid and and 32 spoke on the road bike and don't have any issues. I am 295.

Well, I wasn't thinking about myself, really. It's just that on Sheldon's site, you can get both hubs for less than $200, get both rims for $20, I don't know what spokes cost, and $50 each to build them. If there were Clydes around the 300-400 lb range and they're getting frustrated with wheels, it might actually be cheaper, if the Tandem wheels work with normal bikes.

I guess I just wanted to open a discussion on it and see if it was possible. There are enough wheel problems where someone may want to know that it might cost the same to get a much stronger wheel. Although maybe the deep V that everyone talks about is where the strength counts.

Well, I wasn't thinking about myself, really. It's just that on Sheldon's site, you can get both hubs for less than $200, get both rims for $20, I don't know what spokes cost, and $50 each to build them. If there were Clydes around the 300-400 lb range and they're getting frustrated with wheels, it might actually be cheaper, if the Tandem wheels work with normal bikes.

I guess I just wanted to open a discussion on it and see if it was possible. There are enough wheel problems where someone may want to know that it might cost the same to get a much stronger wheel. Although maybe the deep V that everyone talks about is where the strength counts.

Well, with a steel frame you could cold set the frame for a wider hub, or there's 40 spoke for ~$650.00, for Peter White loaded touring hubs

or these in 48 spoke for just over $650 in 140mm, which can be fit into a 135mm stayset after cold setting.
http://www.peterwhitecycles.com/images/products/hubs/philta~1.jpg

Pricey, yes, but BOMBPROOF!

http://www.peterwhitecycles.com/tandemparts.asp

Most apps though should be good with 36-40 spoke and a strong modern rim like a deep V

Santana sells a Shimano tandem wheel with 16 spokes.
http://santanatandem.com/Parts/Shimano07.html
The main reason for fewer spokes is aerodynamic. I've never understood the strength issue, though, why a wheel with 16 spokes can be stronger than one with fewer.

If a glass of wine a day is good for you, a half gallon must be great.

:D:D:D

HERE ia a lot of spokes :eek:
144 spoke
http://www.aztlanbicycle.com/images/products/lowrider-bikes/P2180167.JPG

I've used that type of wheel on a utility tricycle and they are absolutely indestructable. :D

I have been running a 48 spoker on the back of my touring bike for 10 years now. I have done fully self contained tours while being 350 lbs. Never had the wheel go out enough that it couldn't be ridden. I have taco'ed 2 36 spoke hand builts (told the builder was good before buying them) prior to buying them.

Remember with a touring bike even my weight at 350 is more than the bike is likley to handle with a "normal" touring load and rider. But with the gear and me it was hauling over 400 lbs.