I have never had a problem with the stock wheels on my LHT, which use Alex Adventurer rims. I am a big guy and have probably carried a little more than the average load over paved and unpaved roads. Whatever you do, don't skimp on wheels. My first tour was x-country. The Sun rims that came with my Cannondale T700 were not up to the task. Frequent wheel problems on tour are very annoying.