Originally Posted by
Buck_O
The problem isnt your wheels.
The problem is that the mechanic your LBS has doesnt know how to build a wheel properly, and tension the spokes correctly. And as such they go out of true. Which they would do with even a light rider who rides hard.
A properly built and tensioned set of wheels will not come out of true unless they are abused, potholed, jumped, curbed, or some other massive force is applied to them.
So this LBS, instead of admitting that they cant properly build wheels, is insisting on trying to sell you overbuilt super heavy wheels to work around the problem, rather then resolve it.
My suggestion...find a new LBS.
+1 to all of this.
My suggestion is w/respect to an above poster who had a 36h set of Mavic A719s etc. built for him. I would recommend a 48h Sun CR-18 w/DT Alpine 3 spokes and a Shimano HF08 rear tandem hub. Have a
reputable wheelbuilder do the build. I realize it's pricey, but it'll last you the rest of your life. You'll never need another rear wheel. My tourer has the same combo in a 700 wheel except I bit the bullet and got a Phil Wood hub. It's a phenomenal combination of smoothness and strength. Would've gotten a Mavic A719 rim, but they don't make them in 48h configurations anymore.
Tires are important, too. For you I'd recommend Schwalbe Big Apples w/Forte puncture resistant tubes. I've got Schwalbe Marathon Plus' and Fortes on
all my bikes as I hate flats almost more than broken spokes.
Btw, OP afa learning to build one's own wheelsets, I put a sign up @ a lbs community board asking for a wheelbuilding teacher. Offering money for lessons. The guy that answered the ad is now one of my best cycling buddies and I ride everyday on wheelsets self-built. It's
the most satisfyfing feeling in my cycling life. Ended up taking twice as long as we'd agreed and he really put me through my paces. Made me build front wheels only until I could, literally build a front wheel
and true it w/my eyes closed. He liked dark beer and black, fench-pressed coffee. Best 3 mos. of my life. It was like wheelbuilding bootcamp. When I began to build rear wheels consistantly well he had a certificate made up for me on his PC...it's hanging on the wall in my bike room. My tourer wheelset is self-built and I can't wait to take it out for a month or two.