ddeadserious

I'm planning a new wheelset for my Tarmac, as the stock DT Axis 2.0 are quite heavy, won't stay true, and I'm overall unimpressed with them.

I'm a heavier guy(~235lbs) and want my wheels to stand up to me riding. I obviously don't mind truing them occasionally, but don't want to do so weekly. I'm not interested in carbon rims.

My initial plan(and potential current plan) is to build a wheelset with Novatec road hubs(with their skewers), double butted Sapim Laser spokes, brass nipples, and A23 rims(28H front, 32H rear). This would run me something like $360 shipped for all the parts, and I'd build them myself(I work p/t at a bike shop). On paper, they end up being just south of 1500g, but I'd estimate a little more once they're built. I have 32H F/R Novatec to A23 on my fixed gear and they've held up very well.

Looking at complete wheelsets, I'm having a hard time finding wheelsets that have more than 24 spokes that aren't ungodly heavy.

So, I was wondering if anybody has any recommendations on wheelsets that are 28H minimum, aluminum, black, somewhere around 1500g, and somewhere around $400.

Thanks in advance!

jsigone

swap out that A23's for some kinlin300's and should be a nice build

canam73

So you are building these (SOB version) yourself: https://www.novemberbicycles.com/fsw-23/

Fwi, November puts the rider limit right at 235# for that set.

ddeadserious

I did consider switching it up to the Kinlin's, but didn't really see a reason to. The Kinlins are about the same weight, just slightly deeper. Any particular reason or just preference?

canam73

How about Kinlin's version of an A23: https://www.bikehubstore.com/category-s/162.htm

canam73

Depending on what tire/pressures you run I would think you would be happier with a wider rim.

ddeadserious

Look at that! That's exactly what I'm planning on building(unless someone has a better option, ie: the point of this thread), I didn't know that site/build existed though.

It is good to have an "official" rating that I'm just barely within. I won't be getting heavier, so it should be fine.

ddeadserious

For some reason, it slipped my mind on my previous response, but yes, I do want a wider rim. I run 25mm Gator Hardshells currently, but would like to switch to GP4000's sometime before the spring. Will look into the wider Kinlin rim, thank you.

canam73

For around double the price there is also the HED C2 rim. I actually have a complete sets of wheels with A23's and the bikehubstore wide along with a Powertap built with the HED. The A23s exhibited a small braking pulse due to an uneven joint when new, but it wore down quickly enough. And while I can't say I noticed anything while riding, the BHS rims seemed to be the stiffest while building them, but it would make sense as they weigh a bit more than the other two. Other than that, all have performed well for me.

Others have had issues with Kinlin rims leaving metal chards in their brake pads. I have seen this but in both cases the rider had cheap pads. Mine have always been used with stock Rival pads or Koolstops and I have not had the issue.

moppeddler

Love my A23's, and I paid $650 from Prowheelbuilder with White Ind. hubs, so I think you're doing pretty good there.

ddeadserious

I'll keep that in mind, thank you.

Nice! I've really enjoyed them on my Leader, that's why I figured I'd go with them again, but I'm not afraid to try something new or better.

AngryScientist 

at your weight, i would look at a stouter build on the wheels if you truly want them to be maintenance free.

my opinion only, but i say forget the silly 1500g weight goal. you yourself weigh almost 1/4 of the way to 1000 pounds, a few hundred grams in the wheels isnt going to make a difference. with a deeper rim, and heavier gauge double butted spokes, 32 f+r, built 3x, you're going to have a much more reliable build, much more durable, with a slight weight penalty.

ddeadserious

While I don't disagree with you, my 32H Novatec to A23 build(3X) on my Leader has held up plenty well for me(I've trued them twice over the past year, and Michigan has horrible roads), so in terms of strength, something comparable will be just fine for my road bike. I know it could be more stout, but I think it's a good compromise between weight and strength. I don't mind truing them here and there, gives me an excuse to hang out at the shop anyways.

datlas 

If you can spend a little bit more, look into the Williams system 30X. I think you would do very well with them.

Bah Humbug

Yup. Along with the 23mm wide rim and 25c tires (or bigger, if your frame will clear it and you're ok with running a non-GP4KS that comes in wider form). I love my HED Belgian C2s, but that was before the BHS (by Kinlin) was available, and there's no point in overspending on training wheels to shave a bit of weight. Especially at 235lbs, you won't be happy with having light-ish training wheels when you're dropping them off to the LBS for trueing every month, or learning to do it yourself. When you get down to ~180, lighter options become more viable, and serve as a nice reward for dropping incomparably more weight than you'd save by dropping a dozen spoke off the wheels you're looking at now.

pgjackson

I am very happy with my Vuelta wheels. I have the Corsa Superlites. 1460g and $350. $400 on their website...got mine new from a local ebay store.

https://www.vueltausa.com/vuelta-bicy...ad-wheels.html

Or I think Performance Bike has the Forte Titans again. Damn good wheelset for about $200.
https://www.performancebike.com/bikes...34_-1___400934
https://www.performancebike.com/bikes...32_-1___400934

jsigone

stiffer,slightly more aero, and stiffer .....oh and hoops are about half $$ of A23s

Campag4life

A question to those that now run 23mm wide clinchers which I understand to be a bit less sensitive to pinch flats when running a tube. How much lower do you run your tire pressures generally compared to 19mm rim width?
thanks

canam73

I weigh 180# and ride mediocre roads. With a 19mm rim and 23mm tire I usually run 100f/110r PSI. On one of my bikes I usually had 25mm tires on 19mm rims and got away with 85-90f and 100r without pinch flats and that is what I now do running 23mm tires on 23mm rims. I have about 10,000 miles in like this without a pinch flat.

oespinoza83

Check out Neuvation Cycling. I got a great set of race wheels there last year. They always have good deals and a few co-workers I know ride them as well.

https://www.neuvationcycling.com/

tagaproject6

Neuvations are great wheels, but they are not going to work well for heavier riders.

Campag4life

Thanks canam. We are close to the same weight...I run 19mm wide rims with 23mm tires and a lot more air pressure than that. I will definitely consider 23mm wide rims for my next wheelset.
Cheers.

shelbyfv

I don't think you should be satisfied with having to true your wheels twice a year. That seems to indicate inadequate tension/ stiffness for your weight. Maybe you should look for a stronger rim and spokes, not worry about the weight. As others have said, weight of the wheels is the least of your weight related concerns.... You might also consider a rim with eyelets, allowing higher tension.

tallteacher

I was looking around ..and I have NO idea bout the quality of these wheels but...

https://www.bicyclewheelwarehouse.com.../prod_155.html

designed it says for the 233+ # rider
$369 with ultegra hubs

$289 with 105 hubs BOth sets are heavier than you wanted...

https://www.bicyclewheelwarehouse.com.../prod_129.html

those are close...but i am just cutting and pasting with no knowledge of the product

clydeosaur

Go with the 32 spoke 3x hand built. I've been down your road. Even at my weight (215) I live by this and have not had to walk home or broken a spoke since. I tried lighter / lower spokes (last set was a pair of Kysyrium Elites and knocked the rear out of whack on one 36 mile ride. Go with a pair of Shimano hubs (great bang for the buck, easy to maintain) rims are up to you. I've had great luck with CXP 33's. but I know there are others out there. Good luck