[docbluedevil]

We (~290 lbs) have a '04 Co-Motion Speedster Co-Pilot that I would like to take on unimproved roads (usually hardpack dirt roads, occasionally with gravel and potholes). Our bike is stocked with Rolf Vectors which probably won't last very long on such roads. I'm thinking about getting a cyclocross bike for myself for similar roads and wonder if the wheels could be durable enough for a tandem? [After all, the CF fork we have from Wound-Up is Cyclocross fork; Cyclocross components tend to be more durable than traditional road components, so maybe it's OK for tandems???] Probably not, but wanted to get your guys' idea. Here's one wheelset that comes on a cyclocross bike that I'm considering...

Bontrager Road Select (www.Bontrager.com)

Front: 20 spoke, 14 G spokes, 800 g
Rear: 24 spoke, 14 G spokes, 1100 g

Any other ideas for a wheelbuild. How about Mavic Open Pros with 105 or Ultegra hubs in a 28 or 32 spoke 2x/3x pattern with straight 14Gs?
Ideally, I would have a set of wheels that can be swapped between the tandem, cyclocross, and road (for training/winter)? Is there such a magic bullet?

Thanks
Abe

[The BikeForums Team]

This is an archived thread, you can find the full version of this thread, with images, links and more content here.

Ready to buy? Check out these two online bike stores:
- http://www.nashbar.com (you can find the latest bike nashbar coupons in this thread)
- http://www.performancebike.com (you can find the latest performance bike coupons in this thread)

Cya on the forums,
- The BikeForums Team
- http://www.bikeforums.net

[zonatandem]

Spacing for your 'cross bike rear wheel will be narrower than your Co-Mo.
Get a pair of 48-spoke tandem wheels and keep the Rolfs for on the road riding.
Rolfs had to be an extra on the Speedster. Great wheels. Know Rolf, and when he tested that prototype tandem wheelset he was motorpacing on a tandem behind a friend's truck at 60 mph when they went over a cattleguard!
Stopped the tandem, checked the wheels and they were just fine; but he did beef up the rims a bit for the production version of your wheelset.