Originally Posted by BigBlueToe
My big problem has been broken spokes on the rear wheel. I weigh 210 lbs. That's a factor I can't do much about. My first big tour was significantly marred by broken spokes. Before my last tour I went to my local bike guy and asked him to build me a bullet-proof rear wheel. I didn't break any spokes on that trip, but I've broken two in the last year. I think it's time to rebuild the wheel before my next tour.
You shouldn't be breaking spokes at 210 lbs. My wife and I combined on a tandem is 330lbs with another 40lbs of panniers and the 40 lb weight of the bike
The wheels are 36 hole XT hubs with 14g spokes laced to a Sun CR18 rim.we haven't broken a spoke in years.
If you are building the wheels yourself learn the proper prep and get a tension meter if you can't tension by feel.
If someone else is building your wheels you might want to go elsewhere,