mint-sauce

and i have a few questions before i go ahead. Bit of back ground on me and bike. Bought an entry level obrea road bike about 4 years ago costing about €600, not had to do much since with it, apart from getting it serviced, replacing the tyres, tubes, and brakes, basically keeping it clean and road worthy. But now looking to upgrade the wheels that came with it as i understand its one of the more effective upgrades you can do.

Most of my cycling revolves around doing one or two charity events each year of distances up to around 100-110km and training for them, would not describe my self as a racer at all, more of a very keen and ocasionally competive leisure/recreational cyclist. This year i already have signed up to two events, a 60km and an 80km, and depending on how the legs hold up a 110km later in the year.

These are the wheels i'm looking at (€200) and basically have 3 questions, google has not been kind in finding all the answers,

one- is it worth while speeding this much for what my bike is worth and the age of it.

two- the hub is descriebed as being compatable with 8,9 and 10 speed cassettes, mine is a 7speed, so i understand i need to buy a spacer, was looking at a few sites which say i need to buy a 4.5mm one, although on browsing for one i can only see 3mm, not sure if this is an issue.

Finally three- load bearing, have seen a few sites where it recommends maximum cyclist weight for number of spooks, said wheels have 20, now i'm off average weight, about 70kgs, but going on holiday and taking bike with me, and during journey am going have to cycle about 15 to 30km in total between connections and final destinations, carrying my luggage on my back, probably an extra 15 to 20 kg in total and am concerned all that extra weight might be too much on them.

Apolagies if long winded, but any advise would be greatly apreciated.

Rob P.

If you are over 90 Kg (200 lbs) then you need either a high profile rim or at least 32 spokes. Since you posted that you weigh 70 Kg, I would think that you'd want more than 20 spokes. Especially with the low profile rim on the Askiums. For your weight I'd be thinking 26-28 spokes minimum.

For an "entry level" bike, a wheel upgrade is a nice thing to do IF you are planning on keeping the bike for the next couple of years at least.

mint-sauce

cheers for the response, definatly keeping the bike for another few years, so even if i was to find wheels suitable for my weight, would the extra weight, ie my luggage when going on hoilday, do any long term harm for the short time i'm carrying it

slynkie

The Aksiums are a great, low-end wheelset. Don't be scared off by the 20/20 spokes; it may not be what you'd get if you built your own, but they're sturdy. I'm 72kg now, and still ride the Aksium front - but I was 85kg when I was riding the front + rear together (I ride a powertap rear now).

They've handled crappy New York roads without issue.

Also, you may be able to find them a little cheaper. PBK had them for US$150 (plus $40 shipping or so) for a while, they're out of stock now. Look around a bit.

slynkie

why would it matter, if you weren't planning on keeping the bike? unless you're changing gruppos, the wheels would be perfectly good for a new bike too.

Zen Cyclery

LAce some White industries hubs to some Kinlin Xr300s. Those will be lighter and much stronger than a set of Askiums.

slynkie

...and a lot more expensive. can their cheapest rear hub alone be found for less than $250?

EDIT: oh, look, you just happen to sell White Industries hubs and kinlin rims..