BikeArkansas

For the most part I could have written this thread instead of the OP as I sit at the compter at 227 pounds, down from a max of 260. The back wheel on a set of kysrium SL wheels cracked around a couple spokes two weeks ago. The wheels were about two years old. I experimented with a set of Stan's wheels using a tubeless tire. I got 150 miles and took them back. The story on the Stan's is too long, but included a blowout, or actually a blow off the rim. I have had a set of Open Pro wheels with 32 spokes built. Got them yesterday. The reason I had these built with Dura-ace hubs was because I have an older set of these wheels. They have never failed me. They are 200 grams heavier, but I never worry about them on descents or on bad roads. They just keep going. It is time for a hub rebuld on the olders wheels, so I decided on a new set and will keep these as spares. They seems to get a lot of use as spares.

Charles Ramsey

https://www.flickr.com/photos/63373992@N07/7122608451/ Weinmann 519 Araya VP 20 and no name copies won't crack around the spoke holes no matter what you do to them. I broke a chain climbing a 12 percent grade forcing the derailer into the spokes on the wheel shown the rim didn't crack but there is a flat spot on it now. One spoke had to be cut off the brass nipple cold welded itself to the stainless steel spoke. Since then I have put an additional 2500 touring miles on the wheel without failure. I have seen Weinmann wheels that have been a car crash the rim deforms it does not crack.

Hairy Hands

You should definitely call Peter White. Very experienced, full of information like an encyclopedia, no bulls**t kind of guy. and for under 6 or $700 you will get a bombproof wheel.