moose67

What is the most inexpensive 26" wheel that would support an uber-clyde. My dad bought a bike last year that I would like to alternate riding with my custom built recumbent. It's not an expensive bike and I know from reading the posts hear it may not hold up but the biggest thing for me is the wheels and tires. I need something that will support my weight. Any help is greatly appreciated.

Tom Stormcrowe

What is your actual weight?

I rode a stock set of Alex mountainbike wheels at 450 pounds on a Royce Union, 40 spoke rear and 36 spoke front and they held up for pavement riding.

(51)

I'm Uber and I have put 5,000 miles on my Trek's stock wheels (Matrix 750). I popped a spoke at 2,000 miles. Since then they have been hand built with DT spokes, and I have not had a problem.

phinney

I built up a bike last winter and wanted the most durable wheel for the money. The reviews I read pointed to Sun Rhyno Lites on Deore LX hubs. They were very inexpensive and so far no problems but way to early to tell.

moose67

My weight is over 450 Tom. My current setup is here https://quadrecumbent.blogspot.com . I have used two 20" boys BMX bikes with suspension front and rear. Not having the funds starting out I went with something that I was sure would hold my weight therefore the quad setup. Don't get me wrong I love this bike. I get looks all the time like "what is that?" I think that's cool. I want to do more to my bike but I know that will take it off the road for a little while. I don't won't to stop riding so that's why I'd like to use my dad's bike. It's a walmart bike that is put together fairly well. The wheels was my main concern. The wheels and the tires.

Tom Stormcrowe

I honestly think the bigges issue you will have is seatpost problems and comfort, and that's about it.

A good 26" Tire for an Uberclyde, for example, is the Geax Evolution. Low rolling resistance, tough as nails and can mix the terrain a bit, good for pavement, Packed dirt, gravel, etc and Kevlar cored for puncture resistance. I've used them touring on a converted mountainbike and they did well, even with a Clyde and 40 pounds of gear on the bike in panniers and racks. The bike is still around, it's a cheap Royce Union, and I use it for bad weather riding now. Just ride it "light", no curb hopping and treat it with respect, and I really think you won't have a lot of issues. If you want, PM me your actual weight and I'll be able to say more in this with some confidence. I have some resources also I may be able to pass along as far as information.

By the way, I got a look at your Quad, it's an interesting piece of equipment! Looks like it's stressed for a 2000 pound load! Fairly well engineered!~ I especially like the transfer shaft from the Boom chain to the rear drive chain being incorporated into structural support, great dual purposing!

I'd think about some 20X1.5 or 20X1.75 slicks on it though to reduce rolling resistance though.

FarHorizon

At my current 280#, I've had no problem with stock 32-spoke wheels on my Specialized mountain bike. I've also had no problem with 700c wheels with 32-spokes on my road bike.

When I was 255#, I rode Campagnolo Vento wheels on my road bike for a brief time (about three months) with only one broken rear spoke which did NOT damage the wheel when it broke.

Modern wheels (particularly the ones with V-profile rims) are much tougher, in my opinion, than standard "box-profile" wheels of old. Not only has the metallurgy of the aluminum rims improved, but the quality of spokes seems to be better.

My rule of thumb:

If the rider & load combined weigh over 400# - Use 40 spoke wheels with 4x pattern for good reliability.

If the rider & load combined weigh between 300-400# - Use 36 spoke (minimum) wheels with 3x pattern (or more) for good reliability.

If the rider & load combined weigh between 250-300# - Use 32 spoke (minimum) wheels with 3x pattern for good reliability.

If the rider & load combined weigh less than 250# - Use anything you want.

I must confess, though, that I have personal experience only with the "less than 250# to 300#" segments of these recommendations. Also, the higher weight recommendations are based on reading and on my personal experience (of 30 years ago) of working in a bike shop as a mechanic & sales person.

Good luck!