bigtruck

Hi All
Ok my bike currently has a set of Alexrims S500 ( I know they are not very good)
Size 700 x 25C, 9 speed, 28 Spoke

I broke a spoke yesterday and took it to my LBS to have it fixed
as I did not have a spare spoke, My local LBS said in the near future I should think
about upgrading my wheels, I thought WTF I have only done 3000 miles on these
wheels,

My weight is 200LBS approx & I average 150 miles per week, I want to buy something that
will last a lot longer than my current wheels, I am certainly not a millionaire
but do not mind spending money on a good reliable set of wheels that I can also put on
a new bike if I decide to upgrade it in the future

Anyone have any suggestions/thoughts on a better set of wheels, I have read most of the threads on BF but thought I am best to post in the Clyde/ Athenas section

Thanks in advance
Alan

CliftonGK1

28 spoke is on the light side of things for the 200+ crowd, unless you're looking at some of the boutique wheels (Mavic Aksium comes immediately to mind).

I roll 32h Alex DA16 rims on Deore hubs, I weigh 235, and put in about 120 miles/week. I haven't had any issues with them after an initial break-in and retensioning.

I, like many people here suggest a 32h minimum count, and a mid to deep profile rim for extra stability. On the pricey end of the scale you're looking at Mavic CxP33, Velocity Deep V, DT Swiss RR1.2 or similar rims. On the less pricey side, the Alex DA16, Alex DA28 and Mavic CxP22 are nice.
If you want a more compliant wheelset, have them built up with double butted spokes. It helps cushion some road chatter and lets the wheel "give" more going over narsty potholes and such.

late

What's the budget?

Around $300 this CXP33 is a great choice.
https://www.coloradocyclist.com/product/display/25350/

adrien

It's a bit of a right of passage, this.

I'm a big fan of Velocity Deep V's. Figure $350 for a good hand-built set with ultegra hubs, front and back...obviously less if you only change the rear out. Do a search for "Deep V's 1,000 miles in" for my detailed write-up.

stevel610 

I'm 235 and have a rear wheel with CR18 36 hole w/Deore hubs and rebuilt it with DT14 spokes. I run Vittoria Randonneur 35c tires and occasionally take it off road w/o trouble. Though I'm not bashing it off road. I did have it checked after a couple hundred miles as recommended by the builder at no charge. The front wheel is the stock no name that came with the bike and is just needing a little trueing after 3000 miles.

bigtruck

Thanks everyone looks like I have some research to do but at least now I know what to look for, The Mavic CxP33 & Velocity Deep V wheels seem to be the popular choice ,
Cheers
Alan

grueling

FWIW, I have several thousand road miles on cxp-33s and they have never gotten out of true. I also race cyclocross on a set and have had no issues. (I am about 240 lbs) Try Colorado Cyclist or Texas Cyclesport online. Definitely worth the $

bigtruck

I was looking at these
https://www.coloradocyclist.com/product/kit/SSFCEUDS

OK Don't laugh at this question but they do not say the width of the wheel so I presume you can put 23mm or 25mm tires/tubes on them ??
Thanks

smiller

you can put nearly any 700c tire on these rims. typically look for a good 25mm tire, you might even consider a 28mm, but some frames may not clear that size. as for spoke count, i will ride low spoke count wheels for some rides, but for day to day riding, i like to ride 32 front and 36 rear. if you want something different, look into some of the odd spoke patterns, i did that on mine and wound up with some very strong wheels that definitely don't look like anything stock.

bigtruck

Ok Thanks

Is the Shimano Ultegra hub a better quality hub than the Shimano 105 hub, Looking at the Shimano web site I think the Ultegra range is the better but would like someone to confirm this please,
I never thought I would learn so much about wheels in a few hours LOL
Cheers
Alan

Iowegian

For Shimano, Dura Ace is top level, then Ultegra, then 105, then the rest.

adrien

good compromise for good durability, smooth ride and easy servicing is an ultegra hub (the price difference over 105 is negligible, but the price jump from Ultegra to DA is much bigger).

I picked mine up at spin lite (online)...spent about 20 minutes talking to the builder before we settled on the recommended wheel, based on my size, and then he built them up and shipped them to me (note that they were guaranteed not to go out of true for a full year).

I like Conti ultra gatorskins -- they run a little small, so their 28s are more like other 25s.

adrien

also -- nipples and spokes matter. Brass nipples are a little heavier than alloy, but need much less care and are durable

bigtruck

Thanks for the info that is the sort of information I need as I want to buy a set of wheels that is going to last for years hopefully & would prefer to pay now for something decent

I currently use gatorskins and have a few extra that I picked up on flebay, Hence my question on the rim width,


Coloradocyclist are offering free shipping at the moment if anyone is interested

Cheers

Big Ron

This is great!! I usually only post on the commuting Forum, but having just busted another rear rim I came here for advice/comments on a replacement - probably the 5th or 6th rear rim that I've busted in 4 or 5 years-typically the failure is having spokes pull through the rim, though I break spokes fairly frequently too. I've been using a Mavic MA3 32 spoke rim on the rear, with Swiss DT spokes. The LBS swore that i'd never be able to damage the rim through normal use...after 5 warranty repairs, I think he's convinced that maybe I can damage them. 240 pounds, strong rider, hilly terrain. Sounds like I need to upgrade to 36spoke count.

CliftonGK1

The MA3 has got some bad reviews from people using it in heavy applications (touring, off-road, Clydes), in particular, pulling through and breaking of spokes.
If you're partial to the Mavic name, maybe look into a higher spoke count and a rim like the T520.

Air

bigtruck: If you're only 200 lbs you have quite a bit of leeway. The Deep Vs may be overkill - I'd vote for the Aksiums. I'm 280 and I'm riding Stevesurf's old Aksiums. Hit a nasty pothole which threw it the tiniest out of true and otherwise are holding up great. Really light too.

Big Ron: I'd recommend going up to 36 spokes Deep Vs.

By the way - there's a great little section with all of my wheel woes in my sig (De-evaluation of a wheel) along with more wheel advice.

smiller

I love low spoke count fast sexy wheels, i have sciroccos for my lightweight carbon road bike... BUT, I have a 36hole custom built (diy) wheelset ON the bike. don't get too obsessed with bike weight, really, when you weigh over 200, what difference does an extra 1/4 lb make if it means stronger wheels. and don't neglect tires and riding style. I'm just over 200lbs, I ride softly, avoid rocks and potholes, climb smoothly and rarely break stuff. and i don't ride 23mm tires, i ride a 25 or 28. i've seen big guys try to ride small tires and you're asking for trouble. plus, and i know this should be obvious but CHECK your PRESSURE! 100psi in a 28mm tire will avoid a lot of broken spokes and pinch flats.

bigtruck

To be honest to me a wheel is a wheel ( I am a newbie to cycling six months) The main reason I posted looking for help was reliability, I just want the wheelset to be something that is going to last a few years, I do not really care about looks/weight etc,
Wow I have learn't a lot since starting this thread, Thanks everyone

Smiller, I ride 25's and I learn't very early to check the pressure daily LOL

Air , I had not noticed that thread, Thanks

Air

No problem - if I can save a few people from going through what I went through last year I'd be thrilled!

AeroJoe

I got tired of breaking spokes, truing wheels, tensioning spokes, etc., so I put an aerospoke (www.aerospoke.com) on the rear of my Trek 7300 (I was 250+lbs., now 220). I've got about 1,000 miles on it- no broken spokes (there are none to break), wheel is dead true. Sure, it cost me about $325, and it's a little noisy (plastic resonates)but it should literally last forever (hubs are very easily replaced, and are very heavy-duty). You'll pay at least as much for a heavy-duty hand-built wheel, and you'll still have spokes to break and rims to true!!! And it rides like a dream.

jhcore

Wow. I broke TWO SPOKES last Saturday and was lucky enough to have my LBS replace them before they closed. I was slated to attend a group ride the next day, so I was very anxious! Anyway, I just got done with some 2-wheeled revelry in the quickly-diminishing warmth (damn Chicago weather!), and *PING* There goes another spoke.

The rims are old Campy Omega Strada Hardox. From what I've read, they're considered "Bulletproof," but does this designation really hold up for a Clyde riding on them? And would it be worth re-spoking the wheel, or should I get a new one built up?

bigtruck

Does anyone have a picture of The Mavic CxP33 with black spokes or better pictures of the Mavic with silver spokes, I'm ready to order but now cannot decide on the color, LOL
Does the spoke lacing pattern make a difference to the strength of the wheel, Found this
https://www.wheelbuilder.com/tips/Spokes.asp
Thanks