Clydesdales/Athenas (200+ lb / 91+ kg) - Wheel and tire suggestion for clyde?

I recently bought a NOS Giant Cypress and I am wanting to upgrade the Wheels and tires. Since I am currently right at 300lbs, I am pretty set on getting Velocity Deep V's 32 or 36 count and I would like to run a bit wider tire. I am going to have to buy the wheels one at a time due to $. Tires I will buy a set if I can. I don't mind having them built and shipped if thats the best option but if I can find someone nearby all the better, I'm in Ohio.

I am looking for a few suggestions that I will list:

I need some suggestions on who to have build these. Anyone known for building specific for Clydesdale needs? What price range am I looking at to have these built? How much for front/rear?

I need Hub suggestions. Want to run 8/9 speed. This might be mute if I find a good builder they can make the suggestions.

I really need some help choosing a tire.
I want to run a puncture resistant, decent tire in a 34 or 35 width. Not having luck even finding what my choices are. I will be riding on country roads, not too rough. I am leaning towards running a higher pressure if that's an option, open to suggestion/discussion on this. I am newer to cycling.

I will also ask for suggestions on cranks, this one has a SR Suntor triple, but the arms are 180. I have knee issues and was actually looking to step down to 170 from 175 that is on my Sedona. So I need to replace the crank. Leaning towards a Compact DBL when i have the $, but right now I am hoping to find a crank (dbl or triple) with 170 arms for cheap. I was hoping to stick in the $50 range here. wish there was a way to swap with someone needing a 180.

I would consider a 172.5 if the price was right, not picky just need the shorter arms so I can ride with less knee pain.


Thank you for all input.

Hello there -- a few thoughts:

I am looking for a few suggestions that I will list:

I need some suggestions on who to have build these. Anyone known for building specific for Clydesdale needs? What price range am I looking at to have these built? How much for front/rear?

- use local if you can (am a big fan of supporting LBS). make sure it's hand-built, tensioned, etc.
- others with a good rep by mail etc. -- spinlite is the one I'm most familiar with (great service)
- total cost -- figure deep-Vs with 32 or 36, ultegra hubs, good spokes, brass nipples and assembly -- about $350 - $400 or so, give or take. Reaer will be more expensive.

I need Hub suggestions. Want to run 8/9 speed. This might be mute if I find a good builder they can make the suggestions.

- ultegra 6600. Good quality / lightness / price ratio, anyone can service. And if you upgrade to 10-speed later, the hub can take it

I really need some help choosing a tire.
I want to run a puncture resistant, decent tire in a 34 or 35 width. Not having luck even finding what my choices are. I will be riding on country roads, not too rough. I am leaning towards running a higher pressure if that's an option, open to suggestion/discussion on this. I am newer to cycling.

- can't help you here -- I run 28s. Keep in mind deep-Vs are narrow rims; I'd ask the builder to ensure they can take 34s


...and post review, experience, photos etc. here. Part of the tradition. :o



Thank you for all input.[/QUOTE]

Try some Conti Contacts for the tires, though I think you'll like 700x32 better than 700x35 for riding on decent roads. I used them for a couple of years of NE Ohio country/urban commuting. I prefer Top Contacts now, but they are mite pricey for most white folk. ;)

DeepVs are a good bet for your wheels...have your LBS build them for you if they have a competent wheelbuilder...and they can probably recommend a hub based on what deals they have available to them at the time. (if you live up this way, I can recommend some good shops).

For your crankset, if you insist on a compact double, try the Shimano 4550, but I think you'll probably find a triple for closer to your $50 target.

Thank you for the replies. I am in NW Ohio and there are no decent wheel builders local that I can find or know of. I hope the $350-$400 price is for the set, I can't afford a 7-800 set of wheels for a $125 bike. I might need to look into other options for wheels. Any suggestions would be great. I emailed Velocity and they said the Deep V's will run up to a 35 no problem. I would run a 32 if I knew it would be ok with my weight. I will check out spinlite for a price reference.

Thanks again.

I'm no wheel expert, but if you have knee issues I would suggest a triple depending upon the terrain. I recently changed the 50-39-30 on my wife's bike to 50-39-24 just for those rare 12%+ grades. I'll be swapping out my 30 for a 36. Of course if your going to run really wide in the rear a compact might be ok. My wife and I both have 10 spd. Shimano and the cassette cog options are limited plus I really like the 12-27.

I'm willing to bet that the rear wheel is going to be a 135 spacing, so you are going to need to take that into consideration. That means the Ultegra, while you can squeeze it in, is not optimal. Shimano LX hubs should do you good on this bike and unless you plan to stick to 135 rear spacing bikes, then I would go to the XT hubs. 35 would be about the widest tires I would go on that rim, but you should be fine on a 32. I ride 23's no problem and I was up at 340 when I started riding them.

Tires, I really love the Bontrager Race Lite Hard case, have them on both my bikes and no flats in some time. Tires are like saddles, user preference.

Cranks, unless your planning to replace the bottom bracket too, you will need to find one that is going to use a tapered spindle. Most of the better grade are using 2 piece set ups, so you would have to replace the BB anyway. I am looking at new cranks for my Trek 7300 and leaning toward the Shimano LX or XT.