Touring - Tips for building wheels

For loaded touring, I'd imagine one would want the most efficient and strongest load-bearing wheel, at the best price. What type of wheel set-up would you recommend if you were to build your own wheels: hoops, spokes, hubs, cluster. Remember that price point must be considered--best wheel for a modest price.

Cheers,

Urbanmonk

Whenever I consider a second set of wheels for my 520 (which has bontrager fairlane rims (565gms) on LX hubs with 36, 14g spokes), I pretty much want the same thing only better:

1) MTB hubs (the bike is already spaced for 135mm hubs): XT if I can afford it.

2) Heavy rims like the Mavic T520. It's as heavy as the Bontrager rims, but it seems Mavic has a better reputation.

3) 36 spokes. If I weighed more or if I were going to haul a truly heavy load, then I'd consider 40-48 spokes. As it is I don't envision gaining that much weight or hauling more than enough supplies for a 7-10 day trip.

4) Straight, 14 gauge spokes.

5) And a 9spd Shimano cassette with a 32 or 34 tooth low gear. A standard 11-32 is just fine, although the 11 is wasted on me. A 12-34 would be best in case I hit something really steep.

If I want something lighter for faster riding, I'd probably get LX hubs, MA3 or Open Pro rims, 32 double-butted spokes, and a 12-25 cluster.

I haven't received my bike yet. And so I still have a choice. I'm deliberating between the Mavic 520s and the MA3's. The former are heavier and tough, designed (as many of you know) for loaded touring. The latter are closer to audax and light-touring rims. In either case, the rear will have 36 and the front 32 spokes.

My dilemma if you want to call it that is: I'm keen to have lighter narrower rims(MA3) for commuting and faster riding, but I'm also keen to have tough bombproof rims for loaded touring and because I'm 6' 1", 200 lbs.

I'm going to follow my bike guy's advice and stick with the 105 rims. He insists that the MA3's would be completely sufficient for anything I will do, since I'm not going touring on dirt roads.

Question: how cumbersome are the 520s?

I'm going to follow my bike guy's advice and stick with the 105 rims. He insists that the MA3's would be completely sufficient for anything I will do, since I'm not going touring on dirt roads.

Question: how cumbersome are the 520s?


The Mavic T520 weighs about 560 grams last time I checked. I've seen the MA3 listed at 470-490 grams.

Building good wheels for heavily laden touring is a serious test of the builder's skills. If you don't have the necessary experience to do it yourself, invest some of the budget with the best local builder you can find.....and take his/her advice.

This depends somewhat on what you call a touring load. Some folks can travel for a week and more with the contents of a Camper Long-Flap, others fill four panniers and a bar-bag, just for a weekender, then come home with stuff lashed to the rack......

I'm a fairly lightweight traveller myself and can get by with midpriced Mavic rims. I've had good service from Specialised, Campagnolo and Phil wood hubs. I like DT spokes. I build 'em up three-cross, with 36 holes, front and rear.

You might not be a heavy person, or use a lot of gear to add to your bike's weight but you may ride heavy. Your style may lend itself to dropping into every pot-hole or over kerbs, or you may use trailers, sidecars and stuff. All the more important to use good materials, conservative lacing and quality assembly. roadside rebuilds and truing are a major pain. Shop assistance on tour can be a lottery. Do the planning and spend the necessary money now.

For a single I will build most wheels with LX or Xt hubs, 36 spokes, three cross, using rims with eyelets. I like Sun ryno-lite

For tandems (my own) I use the Shimano XT tandem hub, 48 spokes , four cross and Sun Ryno-Lite rims. I have built many wheels for others using Phil Wood hubs, but the cost of Phil Wood hubs!

I would go for double butted spokes, as the extra stretch in the thin part of the spokes will reduce impact loading on the rims and give a more comfortable ride.