Originally Posted by bobbotron
This is really interesting guys, thanks for all of the replies! You`ve given us a lot of ideas. Time to do some researching and get down to the Phat Moose (the place that`s going to be building our wheels.)
Assymetrical rims... What advantages do they have?
Spoke length is the same and the dish on the wheel is less. Makes for a stronger wheel. Not a big issue for a smallish woman but it's no disadvantage either.
I've fought the battle of small woman and bicycles for ages. Look for the lightest weight rims you can find with a 32 or 36 spoke count and that will take a 1.5" or narrower tire...not Rhynolites! The rotating weight of the wheels will make more of a difference than you think to them. Small women have a pretty low weight-to-strength ratio and you are going to load her bike up with more weight (be nice and carry the tent, cooking stuff and any communal property
). Anything you can do to lighten her bike or load will pay dividends down the road.
If you are worried about the strength of the wheel, don't. I've been riding a Mavic X517 for 5 years on a mountain bike that I regularly jump, pound and generally abuse. I'm about 2 of your girlfriend and I haven't broken them yet.