lucid0ne

First time posting here even though I've been an avid reader for almost a year I barely got around to registering and finally now posting. Anywho

I picked up a set of Alex ALX-290 wheels used but true and no signs of wear. Came off of a trek pilot /w 105 gruppo and 4 months of riding 3-5d week. Has anyone used these or similar wheels in the past? my weight is 242 currently hoping to drop to 205 by dec and 175 by next spring. I've had a problem breaking spokes on my current wheels but i'm guessing thats because they're from 1972 and have run their course. I want something sturdy enough for my weight so open to any suggestions as far as upgrades in the $200-280 dollar range.

Thinking of putting them on my schwinn since the stock alloy rims are pretty much past their lifespan. Also on the schwinn note is it practical to modernize one if I had a full 105 gruppo laying around? I was told I need a BB adapter to use the 68mm cranks but other than that it's mostly just component cost right?

Mr. Beanz

Hmmm, never heard of Alex rims on a Trek Pilot. I thought Trek used Bontrager wheels.

I don't know a thing about 27 inch wheels but the Schwinn may have them rather tahn the 700C wheels. I wonder if the brakes would align properly?

old and new

www.bicyclewheelwarehouse.com Mavic A319, second pg. in the 700c section
look at all those Mavics. A fellow here told me about this store. I've checks many places, this warehouse has the best range. Remembering the prices on any given wheel set from a few years ago, I can assert that these prices are more than fair. I spent more than half the price on CPX33s used (incl. frt.). Performance, Nashbar & others have wheels. BWW has the better Mavics.

lucid0ne

OK so I talked to the person again and the wheelset came off a specialized. As for the mavic wheels those do look quite reasonable. I'm thinking maybe i'll turn the ole dinosaur into a single speed cruiser and just look into one of the really well priced frames at performance (anyone have any experience with any of the scattante frames?) Thanks for the replys!

oh and as for the brakes I have a set of long reach crane creek brakes that may work out, kinda of been riding the mountain bike more so i've been slow to decide on rebuild or build up from drivetrain

old and new

Alex wheels brake spokes under heavy riders, a generization but it applies. I've never used them and don't intend to, I'm too heavy even though I ride "light".
The risk - bennefit ratio is unfavorable. Alex provides wheels to modestly priced sub twelvehundred dollar bikes and much better models than the OP's for better models.

Just this past month, I've read one account after another of such wheels losing spokes, just buy NEW better wheels or a dif. brand; not so used others, the less rational choice of the two though. Last time I looked, this is the Clyde forum.

Mr. Beanz

Dat makes more cents. Buds have Roubaixs with Alex wheels.

I have a bud with a Scattante ($600 special with Ultegra). I think it's a 650 or 550 (?) model. Maybe 6 years ago from Supergo before it was bought out by Performance.
The guy showed up for a mtn climb, 20 miles, 5,000 ft. He totally spanked everyone on the ride. Lots of $6000 machines but none of the others were close to him on the ride. We spoke after the ride, he laughed at the highend bikes then showed me his downtube and went on about how it was the design that made the bike stiff for climbing.

Another guy that frequents the trail rides a Scat with a big dent on the toptube. He has other bikes but says the Scat is his favorite!....This guy is strong and fast. He rips me a new one everytime I try to keep up with him.

Meeting guys like this is what confirms the saying, "it's not the bike, it's the engine".

Mr. Beanz

Alex on the sub 1200 bikes and Roval/Rovale (?) on the hgiher end bikes (Specialized). Alex is also on some of the REI bikes.

Last time I made a similar claim, I took some heat. That's cool cause I know I'm right!

timmythology

I have a alex wheel on the back of my MTB, have broken three spokes this year. I had an alex rim on my trek 1.2, it was trued once a week for a month before I replaced it. Not a good rim for the rear, imo.

old and new

not his model Alex.. I gave myself an out on that. I qualified my statements

Who says the hi-end Spec. bikes are intended for Clydes?

lucid0ne

Hello all
Thanks for the replies! looks like I'll be giving the gf the Alex rims since she is suited for their weight specs. She's very entry level so it should suit her well as a starter set.

I keep hearing about these easton ea90? wheels being made for heavier guys, I may pick up a set of those because even though i'm shooting to drop a lot more weight i'm gonna guess they're quite strong. Do any of you ride a set of these or know anyone who does?

Also i'm glad to hear the scat bikes can take a good beating, after reading some reviews online i'm convinced I can hope on one and it won't explode 100 miles in.

terbennett

You know what? Trek used to use Alex wheels on many of their low priced models I remember the 2005-2006 Trek 1000s and 1200s wore Alex AT450 wheels and Trek also used Alex wheels on a few others even while they owned Bontrager. Anyway, I haven't heard very good things about those 290s when larger riders used them. I know two sub 200lb riders that have had problems with them too. Spoke breakage seems to be the most common problem. I think they look nice enough. You might have a different experience if you rode that set but why chance it?

lucid0ne

I got a set of Deep V's

Mr. Beanz

Cool!

If get them online, have someone go over them checking tension. If they are handbuilt, have the builder go over them after a couple hundred miles. Being a big guy, the wheels could lose tension.

terbennett

Nice. You can't go wrong with Deep Vs. I've ridden over some really nasty potholes with mine and haven't even had to true them since I had the tension adjusted at 110 miles. I now have 7,243 miles on mine. By the way did you know that Velocity actually builds the wheels after you order them for road bikes?

lucid0ne

I read that on their site, which made me even more glad that I went with velocity instead of cutting corners for the price they seem well worth it. I've not heard any bad reviews on them from people who use them normally.