Clydesdales/Athenas (200+ lb / 91+ kg) - Bontrager Race double spoke wheels for a bigger guy

I just got what I think is a darn good deal on a Trek XO on blowout. It was the last one they had left and they let me have it CHEAP. It has nice components (105 group, carbon fork and seat post) My only concern is the Bontrager Race CX wheels (double spoke type) for a bigger guy. I'm 248 lbs. Just kind of wondering how strong these are. The bike feels extremely solid and fits me well, so I couldn't pass up this deal.

http://www.pedalsmonkey.com/app/v10/images/bikes/large/trekxo1_onyx.jpg

Don't have an answer for your questions about the wheel set, but as for the deal, congrats and enjoy. Sounds like you got a great deal.

At 230 lbs, I had Bontrager Select and Bontrager Race wheels. I couldn't get over 2000 mile out of either set with plenty of truing, re tensioning etc.

But that was the road version with 700X23 tires. The cross uses 38 tires, so you may get more out of your wheels.


But you got it cheap, invest in a more durable rear wheel.:D

They have had some problems with those double laced spokes but it has nothing to do with rider weight. (They came on my Madone, but I have replaced them with some Eastons. I didn't have any problems with them, at 225 lbs.)

The XO is for cychocross riding, so they obviously believe the wheels can take some abuse. (I have an XO1, about four years old, that I use for riding around town, touring, and on unpaved rail to trails. It came with different wheels. I love it; it takes a lot of abuse.)

Enjoy you bike!

A friend of mine who is about 210# or so has raced two seasons of cyclocross on those exact wheels. He hasn't had any problems with them. He does have them trued after every race, but he says they usually aren't that far out of true.

There were some issues with cracking on the rear drive side wheel on that style spoke/wheel combo in the 23 x 700 size during the 2006 to 2008 time frame. Trek replaced alot under warranty. May not be an issue with the wider cyclocross version, but worth checking periodically. Was not predicated on rider weight. I looked at a used set of 23s from CL and the owner was not over 200lbs and the rear drive side was cracked. Congrats on the great buy and enjoy the ride.

P2

are you concerned about the cf seat post at all?

are you concerned about the cf seat post at all?

Only if it breaks. :crash: But seriously, that's a cheap swap. It feels really solid.

I talked to the tech about the wheels and he's confident they'll be fine. Either way, if they start getting out of true too easily I'll do a wheel swap. For right now I'm just going to ride it, enjoy the wind whistling thru my helmet, and continue to increase my miles per ride. I'm into a pretty nice bike with a nice frame and 105 group for under $1K. Even if I have to swap and add as I go, that didn't seem bad at all.

Thanks for the advice. I'll keep an eye on 'em.

I have those same wheels, and weigh the same, and even rode them at 265 for 2 years. Still true, never had to be trued, and even nailed a curb hard during a failed bunny hop. I have the road version of those wheels (700x23) and have yet to have an issue with more than 5000 miles on them. Now when you hammer on them, you can flex them a bit, and it is scary at first, but I have yet to have a problem. Even broke a spoke in a crash, had the spoke replaced, and still rides like a champ.

EDIT: I just realized, I have the 16 spoke version, the race x lights on both cross & road bike.

You can do one of two things
1) Sell the wheels and buy something else
2) ride them until you kill them or just want something else anyway

I don't think Bontragers typically have the cachet that say, ksyriums have, but they'll probably be fine for quite a while.

Just pay attention to them and keep them true