Clydesdales/Athenas (200+ lb / 91+ kg) - Getting a New Used Bike: Are these Wheels an Issue

Hi,

I am getting a new used bike - 2003 Klein Q-Carbon with some FSA 600 wheels http://www.roadbikereview.com/cat/wheels/wheelsets/fsa/PRD_303635_2490crx.aspx

Has anyone had any of these and do you know whether it will be an issue for me? I weigh 265 (hoping to get that down around 220 this year).

Honesly, I'd consider the wheels an issue on "any" used bike if it were mine. All you can do is ride it and hope for a long healthy life.:D

20 ratings at 2.5 out of 5 doesn't look good either!;)

If you are careful with them, you'll probably be fine.

I'd look to replace them eventually though. FSA's are good wheels, but from what I've seen they are aimed at the lightweight riders...

Honesly, I'd consider the wheels an issue on "any" used bike if it were mine. All you can do is ride it and hope for a long healthy life.:D

20 ratings at 2.5 out of 5 doesn't look good either!;)


Yeah, from the rating distribution it looks like people either loved them or hated them, not too many in the middle.

I'm getting the bike but thinking about maybe selling off the wheels and getting some better suited for my weight and interest (non-racing but touring). I'll search the forum for some good wheels, any recommendations off hand?

Yeah, from the rating distribution it looks like people either loved them or hated them, not too many in the middle.

I'm getting the bike but thinking about maybe selling off the wheels and getting some better suited for my weight and interest (non-racing but touring). I'll search the forum for some good wheels, any recommendations off hand?

Don't take my advice. I wouldn't buy a set. I'd have a rear wheel built with a Deep V and 32 hub (105 atleast). That's what I ride but lots of Clydes don't like Deep V's cause they are too heavy on the climbs and too much rotational weight on the flats.:D

I echo Mr. Beanz works. Deep V's & a healthy spoke count hand built for guys on our size/weight range. My last bike was a set of Mavic 33's hand built that for me (6'4 235lbs) were bullet proof. My new bike has a set of Shimano RS10's & I'm just waiting for the rear to start popping out spokes. Some things are worth the weight penalty.

I echo Mr. Beanz works. Deep V's & a healthy spoke count hand built for guys on our size/weight range. My last bike was a set of Mavic 33's hand built that for me (6'4 235lbs) were bullet proof. My new bike has a set of Shimano RS10's & I'm just waiting for the rear to start popping out spokes. Some things are worth the weight penalty.

I'm probably not worried about a few ounces here and there, especially when compared relative to my weight :). I might try to go that route then and swap out these for some beefier wheels.

FSA for Clyde? No way.

FSA for Clyde? No way.

*sigh* alas the wheel shopping begins

*sigh* alas the wheel shopping begins

I've got a set of Neuvation M28's and I couldn't be happier - http://www.neuvationcycling.com/wheels.html

I've also got two sets of Mavic Aksiums that have been completely bulletproof

32 spokes minimum for the big boys.

32 spokes minimum for the big boys.

I don't have any more than 24 spokes on any of my wheels and haven't had any issues. I'm 245# right now, and was 270# at my highest point.

I don't have any more than 24 spokes on any of my wheels and haven't had any issues. I'm 245# right now, and was 270# at my highest point.

How many miles are on each set? Remember, problems don't usually arise till after 3000'ish.

I'm thinking in the past you have posted about 5000 on the Neuvations?

Just that it seems to be important when reviewing the durabilty of a wheel. Some state that they haven't had any problems in 2 years, but they fail to mention that they only rode the wheels for 100 miles in those 2 years!:D

I will add that I did over 20,000 mile on my Deep V before the braking surface wore out. Still true, but a safety risk.:mad:

I'd say at this point maybe 5500 on the front Neuvation. About 200 on the new rear that they sent me after replacing it under warranty. They also saw some use on my cyclocross bike.

I have put about 2500 on one set of Aksiums. They were used before I got them so no idea how many miles before that (but the previous owner was about 170#). The other set is new and has maybe 100 miles on them so far...

When you are passing through 30 mph going downhill you do not want to have the slightest doubt in your mind. I suggest: DT Swiss RR-1 rims, Ultegra hubs, 32 spokes.

Cosmo, I'm not starting an argument here. But, when you say that you have no problems with a 24 spoke wheel, and then state that the rear one only has 200 miles on it and was just replaced under warranty, it raises some eyebrows. Was it crashed ? other issues? Curious. I'm about the same weight & played havoc on 2 36 spoke double wall rims with in 8 months.

How many miles are on each set? Remember, problems don't usually arise till after 3000'ish.

I'm thinking in the past you have posted about 5000 on the Neuvations?

Just that it seems to be important when reviewing the durabilty of a wheel. Some state that they haven't had any problems in 2 years, but they fail to mention that they only rode the wheels for 100 miles in those 2 years!:D

I will add that I did over 20,000 mile on my Deep V before the braking surface wore out. Still true, but a safety risk.:mad:

+1 very true,

I have 8 bikes and all of the high milage wheels are 32 or 36's. I have two bikes with low spoke counts (20's) and these are low mile bike that just don't have a chance to ride or don't like to ride. No problems with the wheels.

FWIW when I built my oldest sets of wheels 25 years ago, I would only go with a minimum of 36 spokes for my weight and I weighted 210 lbs at the time.

Cosmo, I'm not starting an argument here. But, when you say that you have no problems with a 24 spoke wheel, and then state that the rear one only has 200 miles on it and was just replaced under warranty, it raises some eyebrows. Was it crashed ? other issues? Curious. I'm about the same weight & played havoc on 2 36 spoke double wall rims with in 8 months.

The spoke flange on the hub broke. I sent photos to John at Neuvation and he said that that is a part that should never fail regardless of rider weight or age of the wheel. He replaced it no questions asked. I believe the one that broke had about 4800 miles or so on it when it broke, or somewhere in that neighborhood. I have about 200 miles on the new one.

Interesting. Sounds like they are worth looking into then...

Interesting. Sounds like they are worth looking into then...

They are definitely worth looking into. I have recommended them to many people, and everyone that I know that has bought a set has no complaints.

I'm actually thinking about a set of their carbon wheels if I can afford them...

I recently had issues with a set of low count spoked wheels, they are being replaced with a newer wheelset with higher spoke count so we'll see. If I could go back I'd likely have got something different but I'm dropping weight instead so I can ride whatever I want, that's the simple choice for me. I do have a set of DA carbon clinchers nd they are set aside for certain days and will likely take years to hit 3000miles so the y should last awhile...lol To end this though I would suggest advice from other members like Beanz and get the higher spoke count, /i have no issues throwing my money around and like the look and ride of the fancy wheels.

I recently had issues with a set of low count spoked wheels, they are being replaced with a newer wheelset with higher spoke count so we'll see. If I could go back I'd likely have got something different but I'm dropping weight instead so I can ride whatever I want, that's the simple choice for me. I do have a set of DA carbon clinchers nd they are set aside for certain days and will likely take years to hit 3000miles so the y should last awhile...lol To end this though I would suggest advice from other members like Beanz and get the higher spoke count, /i have no issues throwing my money around and like the look and ride of the fancy wheels.

I'm already blowing my budget on the bike itself with the FSA's. I'll probably start out riding on them but quickly look into swapping them for some higher spoke count wheels or selling them and buying some new higher spoke count ones.

The saga ends, here's the new member of the family:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/9137475@N07/4439108443/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/9137475@N07/4439108371/

Pictures taken with my iPhone so not exactly the best shots. I ended up going with the Klein because it was the best component set (full Dura Ace 7800) for the $, I know the bike's owner/history, I got a bunch of extras (original fork, helmet, two pairs of shoes, Polar watch/computer/HR monitor).


These have the FSA RD-600s on them which are only 24 spokes in the rear. I'll probably ride it a bit, see how it feels and wears, and start looking for another wheelset.