Tandem Cycling - Technical question about tandem wheels
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Hi All
I am wondering whether it is a bad idea to replace my Sun Rhyno Lite 40 spoke (26") wheels, which are not disc compatible, with Sun Rhyno Lite 32 spoke (26") wheels that are disc compatible.
Is is dangerous to down-grade in terms of spoke number? We are a 250 pound team that often rides with 30 extra pounds of "stuff".
Any thoughts?
Thanks
Dave
Can't cite any numbers but at your team weight 32spoke wheel with reasonably
stout spokes should more than handle the stress. Have it built with at least 3 cross
spoking if you have any choice in the matter. None of this idiocy of radial L and
1 cross R spoking.
bikeriderdave
03-26-09, 11:07 AM
At 250 lbs, even with 30 lbs of stuff, you are a light team. I don't know about the flat-section Rhyno Lites, but well-built 32-spoke wheels with V-section rims, such as the Velocity Aeroheat or (disc-specific) VXC should be plenty strong.
FWIW, our dual-disc Periscope triple has (36 spoke) Aeroheat rims. Team weight is closing in on 350# (our daughter is growing!), and the bike is around 60#. I tensioned the wheels when we first got the bike and haven't had to touch them since.
Nervousboy
03-27-09, 10:46 AM
You should be fine with the lower spoke count. The 40 hole rhynos were kindof the best thing before there were all kinds of very tough (and reasonably light) downhill rims. Any bikeshop can set you up with a decent set of strong 26" downhill or freeride rims. (spoke count ranging from 32-36). (WTB dual-duty rims orSun Singletracs should be strong enough for you but still light)
However, it is your HUB that makes your wheelset disc or not disc compatable. (Hugi used to make a 40hole rear hub that was disc compatible) You only need to change your hubs to get discs. All rims are disc compatable (you just don't use the braking surface on v-brake compatible rims if your using discs). I would not bother swapping out a vbrake rim, it would only save you a few grams and would be expensive.
Hopefully this helps....
Todd
masiman
03-27-09, 11:27 AM
...
However, it is your HUB that makes your wheelset disc or not disc compatable. (Hugi used to make a 40hole rear hub that was disc compatible) You only need to change your hubs to get discs. All rims are disc compatable (you just don't use the braking surface on v-brake compatible rims if your using discs). I would not bother swapping out a vbrake rim, it would only save you a few grams and would be expensive.
I think Nervousboy is saying that there are rims that are made for disc brakes only, i.e. they do not have a sidewall that a rim brake could use.