Originally Posted by
LeeG
cyccomute, I admit I am totally not up to date. Rider skill and mechanical awareness go a long way to getting the most out of a wheels potential. My partner in the shop was bigger but he could ride the same wheels as me because he was a careful rider. Then I’d see 15yr olds totally destroy heavy 26” mtn bike wheels because they had other priorities. Cannondale is shaving ounces and dollars because the bike isn’t marketed as a touring bike but a general use light bike.
I'll agree that rider skill has a lot to do with wheel longevity but loaded touring puts a lot more stress on the elbows of the spokes than unloaded riding
even if the rider is careful. I'd also agree that Cannondale is shaving ounces...well micrograms
. That's also a good argument for not trusting these wheels for touring. Wheels don't need to be all that expensive and getting something stronger would just offer some piece of mind.