apdickens2

I am looking for a road bike for my son who is 6'2" and over 200 lbs. and I would like it to be under $700. I have read all the threads, but would like to see the information all in one place. I went to the TREK store and the salesperson said that my son would be popping spokes all the time unless he replaced the wheels. One store recommended the Allez Sport, but did not mention the spokes. I had not heard that this could be a problem so I did not ask. I will go back and ask. Thank you for any help you may be able to give me. I am partial to Specialized since I have a Sequoia and I like the help I get at my LBS. They also carry Cannondale. I also like the service I get at the store that carries Bianchi.

kandnhome

I'm 6'2" and about 220lbs now (about 235 when i started riding), and I've had no problems with my 36-spoke wheels. I have to true them a bit more often than the lighter guys, but that's no big deal. The roads here (NW Arkansas) are really bad in places too. My only recommendation would be to stay away from anything with less than 24 or 28 spokes. Wheels with less seem to be only for the little guys/gals, and will go out of round/true much more quickly than their heavier-spoked counterparts. Most frames can easily handle 200lbs, so I wouldn't worry too much about brand-name as far as that goes. Just get what you (or your son) like(s).

don d.

200lbs is not excessive for standard 36 hole bicycle wheels. It sounds as though that bike shop may be trying to sell you an upgrade.

The key to getting good wear out of wheels is to keep the tires inflated to at least the max recommended tire pressure and to learn to rock the bike over bumps. A 150lb rider who keeps all his weight on the saddle will dent rims and break spokes quicker than a 200lb rider who knows how to distribute his weight on the bike when he rides.

Cheers

Grasschopper

I am 220 and was also 235 when I started riding. I have XERO XR4 wheels on one bike and XR3 on another. The XR3 are pretty low spoke count (18f/20r) and have been fine under my weight. The XR4 have more spokes per wheel (20f/24r) and have been fine as well. The Bontrager Select (will be on mid range Treks and Lemonds as well as some others) should be fine for your son but if you are worried about it go for a 32 or 36 spoke Mavic Open Pro.

sydney

A 36 hole isn't exaactly 'standard' any more, and even a 36 holer can be badly bult and cause problems.

cjbruin

I'm 225 and ride a Specialized Allez. I honestly don't think you have much to worry about in your price range. You won't be able to find a Ti bike for that price and that is the only material that I would worry about too much flex in the frame. Steel and Aluminum will both be fine...especially frames from the companies that you mentioned.

See if you can find a bike that has Mavic Ksyrium wheels already on it. My bike came with them but I paid quite a bit more so this may be a stretch. The only reason I mention this is that these wheels are absolutely bomb proof. If you have the means to bump your budget by a little, you may want to consider this upgrade.

my58vw

I have race x lite 16 spoke areo rims and have absolutly no problems (of course these rims cost more than your budget alone). I also have some alex 32 spoke cheep rims on my hybrid (700cc) and have only broke one spoke (from jumping)

phantomcow2

If your having spokes pop you might consider handbuilt wheels, I think my LBS charges 50 but im not sure. SEriously though any of hte guys i ride iwth have 32h wheels and are around the 200lbs range without issues.

cycletourist

36 spokes are enough. The hardest part will be getting a bike that is big enough. The bike shop will try to sell you a bike that is too small (56 or 58 cm) because that is in vogue these days. But since your son is 6'2" he will probably ride about a 62 or so (depending on leg length - I am the same height and have a 78cm saddle height and ride a 62cm diamond frame road bike).

Fox Farm

Or, you might find a used Cannondale CAAD something with 36 hole spokes and he will be fine. A stiff aluminum frame will do fine for a large guy.

SDS

Both stores are right. It really depends on how strong he is and how much he rides. The combination of the power and the weight can be really hard on rear wheels. I used to replace rears every six months. As soon as they started popping spokes, it was cheaper to buy a new wheel than to rebuild the old one.

However: I have two friends in the 6'4", 240 lb class, who have been unable to cause their Shimano 540 wheels to go out of true or break a spoke, after two years of heavy use. It could be that the wheels with the nipples at the hub and the spoke head at the side of the rim, with the high profile rim, are extraordinarily durable. These particular wheels no longer appear in the mail-order catalogs.

My solution was Aerospoke carbon-fiber wheels. They are heavy but have no spokes, and therefore never break a spoke. They are also $500 a pair, but have a generous warranty. Over time it is more like flat-rate leasing than purchase.

My guess would be the best thing in your price range would be a used 63cm Cannondale. After (if) your son destroys the first wheel, buy an Aerospoke rear. Problem solved for good.

greenstork

I'm about 220 lbs. and I ride Mavic Ksyrium Equipes and have never had a problem. These are 20-spoke wheels. I've heard all of the Ksyriums hold up to heavy riders but only have experience with the Equipes.

shaq-d

that trek store guy is wacko. i'm 6'2, 220, 58cm bikes, and do fine on on a road bike with mavic open pros (a "standard" road wheel, probably the most popular wheelset, 32 spoke). you won't pop a spoke all the time; only time i popped a spoke was when i was going nuts for a whole week hopping speed bumps and doing offroad trails and basically riding the crap out of the bike just to see how much it could take... a road bike can take lots of abuse.

sd

DnvrFox

Someone wants your money. Go somewhere else.

I have been to 245, now 220, all on standard 32 spoke wheels for several years, 9,000 miles, no problems.

After you find another bike shop, have the "tension relieve" the wheels after you ride a bit. Easy to do. Do an annual checkup and have the wheel trued.

phantomcow2

FOx is right! You should not have broken spokes if the wheel is built properly, tension relieving the wheels is impportant though otherwise you will complain they come out of true after riding for a few days. You can actually tension relieve the wheel yourself, put the axel on a bench or something and using some force, but now your full weight put your hands on the edges of the irms and press, you will hear some pops and shifts, its just the nipple and whatnot setting into place, do that all the way around both sides and your hweel wont be true so true it again and keep stress relieving 'till its perfect. Sorry for my rambling, ive just gotten into wheelbuilding and strangely enough its actually fun.

don d.

I think you meant, "...but not your full weight...". Not to pic nits, but it is very possible to collapse a wheel if this is done incorrectly with too much force.

Don't try this at home unless you're willing to learn an expensive lesson.

turtlendog

I wouldn't worry about it. If (and it's unlikely) he has trouble with the wheels, you can replace them with (bombproof) Mavic Open Pros pretty cheap.

iridebikes

$700 will get you real close to a TREK 1200 9this year or last year model) with carbon fork and Tiagra (maybe some 105) components and best of all it has a domestic frame. I am 6"1" and weighed 235 lbs 3 years ago (190 now) when I bought a new 1200 (no carbon fork on that one). Have put over 15,000 miles on the original equipment including wheels. I have had zero spoke problems. Just make sure the tension is correct and wheel is true (LBS work for most people). I have only had to replace the chain twice.

Red2000SS

I'm 6'3" and 230 lbs. I ride Bontrager Race wheels (20 spokes front, 24 spokes rear). I have about 2000 miles on them and they are as good as the day I bought them. I think your sales person is smokin' crack I have hit a few pretty good potholes with no ill effect. If I hit a curb doing about 30mph - then yes, I would expect to break a few spokes LOL . If your son avoids ramming curbs @ 30mph I think he will be fine...

froze

Most bikes are designed to handle 220 pounds, which means they can handle more but become less reliable as the weight goes up. Don't get fancy racing rims a lot of these guys mentioned, like the Bontrager Race or the Mavic Ksyrium Equipes or low spoke count wheels; these wheels are for the deep pocket people who don't care about durability more then they care about the weight or looking cool. Go with a simple box rim like the Mavic Open Pros, Ambrosio Excellence, or the Torelli Master Series, or Sun M15's, these rims all come in a 36 hole configuration and all have double eyelets for more strength.

Read this for more info on the subject of wheels because I'm sure I started a small war: https://www.roadbikerider.com/UArant2...sible%20Wheels