dahvaio

I've been riding for about a year now... and I have a question concerning my front wheel. I have Ritchey Pro Deep Section, 20/24H with DT Bladed spokes wheelset and have not had any issues with them. However, lately I have realized that I really torque them when I ride up hills. What I mean is that I put so much pressure on the wheels that they actually touch the sides of the forks. I'm 5' 8" and hover around 190lbs... used to be a bodybuilder/powerlifter... I don't feel like that I am putting too much pressure but it happens. If I make a concerted effort, I can make it not touch but sometimes I want to go all out and this is when it touches the sides. Only happens when I STAND...

Are the Ritchey wheels just not strong enough? (They are still true as the day I bought them, no broken spokes or whatever)

If I need stronger wheels what should I upgrade to:

Mavic Ksyrium SSC SL
American Classic 420
'05 FSA RD-600
Mavic Ksyrium Elite
7800 Dura-Ace

allgoo19

Are you sure the wheel touches the fork but not touching the brake pads first?

If you really concerened about it, try skipping all the wheels above and go for 32 or 36 spokes 3 cross wheels.

DannoXYZ 

You're leaning the bike over too much and putting lateral loads on the wheel. Pushing on the bike sideways won't turn the cranks around, just bend and flex the wheels and frame. The key to speed on the flats or on the hills is efficiency and form. Comes down to spinning easy gears evenly around the entire pedal-stroke. Minimize upper-body motions and keep the bike as steady and upright as possible. Good idea to clench the fingers towards the palm and lay them on top of the bars to ensure that you're not pulling on them. Guys who are really efficient climbers do it in a way that makes it looks like they're not even working hard.

Rich_W

agreed... if you're flexing the wheel that hard... its a technique problem... at 190, you'll do it to juat about any 'pro' grade wheel.

A lot of guys I know who ride MTB, and crosstrain on the road do this.

Al1943

Do you have enough tension in the spokes?

If you want stronge wheels get conventional 36 spoke 3-cross wheels with db 14-15-14 spokes.

CPcyclist

Do a 3X DB 14-115-14 (2.0-1.8-2.0) wheel with 32 or 36 spokes. If you feel the need for even more stiffness get a V'd rim (I am not going to call them areo ect). This is what you need for your style.

Road riding is about a quiet upper body
MT riding is about using the upper body to get over and around thight spots.

martin_j001

I agree with the above comments. If the wheel has stayed true and you haven't broken spokes, then you certainly aren't too strong for it and it certainly isn't too weak for you. Any wheel will bend that way if you put enough pressure on it, as the wheels simply aren't meant to handle stress in that direction. The reason your wheel does that is the lack of spokes and the small rim cross section/weight. A heavier rim will bend less, and a wheel with more spokes would bend less too. Going to lighter wheels certainly won't help you at all in this area, so if its really a concern ignore all the wheels you posted and get some 32 or 36 spoke wheels with strong spokes, and if need be the deeper section ("aero"/heavier) rims.