new wheels for long distance fitness riding
05-08-13, 08:15 AM
#26
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apparently the OFG on weight weenie wheels is a matter of concern in the industry. This OFG doesn't want to be walking, I was concerned about that Saturday night
05-08-13, 09:44 AM
#27
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215 lb with 28mm tires
- I had a set of wheels built with White hubs and DT Swiss rims, 32h laced 3-cross. Absolutely love them so far. The White hubs have been wonderful, bang-for-the buck seems tough to beat. Haven't needed to yet, but supposedly they're fairly easy to service, too.
- I had a set of wheels built with White hubs and DT Swiss rims, 32h laced 3-cross. Absolutely love them so far. The White hubs have been wonderful, bang-for-the buck seems tough to beat. Haven't needed to yet, but supposedly they're fairly easy to service, too.
05-08-13, 10:54 AM
#28
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Low spoke count wheels don't make much sense to me. The advantage (both in weight and aerodynamics) is so small as to be essentially unmeasurable (seriously, guys, can you honestly say the difference shows up on your bike computers?) but the disadvantages are real: break a spoke or two on a 36 or 32 spoke wheel and at worst you'll have to open the quick release on your brake caliper a bit. Break a spoke or two on a low count wheel and you may be done for the day - I've even seen a few cases where the loss of one or two spokes destabilized the wheel to the point that a crash ensued.
Low spoke count have become popular with everyday cyclists pretty much due to marketing alone. The advantages are virtually unmeasureable for all but the most elite cyclists.
Weight: Low spoke count rims require more material between the holes... so they are heavy. Often heavier than a comparable 32 or 36 hole rim. But people obsess over having fewer spokes... and you usually lose all that weight savings because you have to use a heavier rim.
I have a buddy who swore that his Bontrager wheels were sooooo light... and I knew better. I won $20 when I bet that his 18 spoke rear weighed more than my vintage 36 spoke DuraAce/Mavic Open Pro rear. The difference was striking.
Aerodynamics: It's funny to see people riding expensive low spoke count aerodynamic wheels and wearing a loose baggy jacket. Get the aerodynamic benefits in perspective.
05-08-13, 11:01 AM
#29
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Higher spoke count doesn't automagically make a wheel more reliable. I purchased what I thought was a bombproof rear wheel consisting of the following components:
Despite the high spoke count, the wheel became un-dished in less than 100 miles of use. It turns out that the NDS spokes were grossly under-tensioned. I took the wheel to my local expert (Vecchio's in Boulder), and they properly tensioned and trued the wheel. I sold that bike/wheel, but it was perfect while I owned/rode it.
The wheel builder's skill level is as important, if not more so, than the number of spokes, etc. My most-recent set of wheels are far less conservative than what I normally run. I provided the builder with my weight, riding style, etc, and let him choose basically everything. The end result is a lightweight pair of 24mm-wide clinchers that hold up to my 195 pounds and dirt/gravel roads (spoke count is 24/28).
- 36 Wheelsmith 14g spokes (brass nipples)
- Velocity Dyad rim
- Shimano LX hub (135mm OLD)
Despite the high spoke count, the wheel became un-dished in less than 100 miles of use. It turns out that the NDS spokes were grossly under-tensioned. I took the wheel to my local expert (Vecchio's in Boulder), and they properly tensioned and trued the wheel. I sold that bike/wheel, but it was perfect while I owned/rode it.
The wheel builder's skill level is as important, if not more so, than the number of spokes, etc. My most-recent set of wheels are far less conservative than what I normally run. I provided the builder with my weight, riding style, etc, and let him choose basically everything. The end result is a lightweight pair of 24mm-wide clinchers that hold up to my 195 pounds and dirt/gravel roads (spoke count is 24/28).
05-08-13, 08:58 PM
#30
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Well, sure. A badly-built wheel is a badly-built wheel, regardless of spoke count. But lots of folks know how to build good wheels - and if one of those fellows builds a wheel with 32 or 36 spokes, it's going to be stronger and more reliable than one with 24.
05-08-13, 09:01 PM
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Weight: Low spoke count rims require more material between the holes... so they are heavy. Often heavier than a comparable 32 or 36 hole rim. But people obsess over having fewer spokes... and you usually lose all that weight savings because you have to use a heavier rim.
05-11-13, 08:27 PM
#32
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05-12-13, 02:34 AM
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220 and running velocity race hubs and their fusion rims - 28 front, 32 rear - double butted except non drive side on the rear,, 2 cross front, 3 cross rear - rock solid - running 4000S tires - 23 MM
Last edited by m2tiguy; 05-12-13 at 02:37 AM. Reason: added tires
