32 spoke wheel recommendations...
 

I'm a clydesdale. Right now I'm weighing in at 253.5 lbs. I've got a Trek 1000 which I'm doing some upgrades on because it's fun, I like doing it, and I don't want a different bike -- I want my Trek 1000 with some upgrades.

The whole bike will soon be Tiagra powered, except the cranks, stem, and bars -- those will remain Bontrager. Eventually, I'm going to need to upgrade my wheels, as I've already had to have the stock Alex wheels trued and I can hear problems forming with the rear no-name hub.

I don't want to put $800 wheels on the bike, that's for sure. But I want a good, quality set of wheels, with a brand equivalent (or slightly better) than Tiagra. I want to stay 32 spoke because at my weight I don't feel comfortable on any of the lesser-spoke wheels.

What do you all recommend?

Thanks,
Tim.

people seem to like mavic open pro rims, alot of folks even use them for cyclcross

[slightly off-topic rant] It's crazy how 32 spoke wheels are now the reals of clydesdales and low end bikes only. Isn't a high end 32 spoke wheel lighter than 20 spoke wheel because of the rim anyway?

Good o'l Ultegra/Open Pro wheel with 14/15 spokes. Performance sells them for $200 (less with commonly available coupon code). Should be strong enough for you but 36 spoke is a good idea for someone your weight. Unfortunately, you are going to have to dig deeper to find some of these, maybe Colorado Cyclist or Excel Sports? No discounts available there.

Good luck.

Ed

I have (now) the Open pro Performance rims, but with the Campy hubs 'cause my bike has the campy drive train.
Can't say about reliability yet since I've less than 300 miles on them, but two different shops recommend these wheels before I bought them.
They do ride quite nice. :D
I am a clyde too at 265 Lbs.

The Ultegra Open Pro's would be a good choice, I run them on my steel bike and they're great. Another suggestion is to get a set of custom 32 spoke wheels from Mike Garcia at www.oddandendos.com. I also have a set of his wheels and they are much lighter than the Open Pros and are "very" strong.

Ultegra/Open Pros are best bang for the buck.

I'm 310 and running Mavic CXP 33 with 32 spokes and Ultegra Hubs.

105/Ultegra Open Pro...can't go wrong there...

If you want something fancier, a higher spoke count wheel by Mike Garcia is a great choice.

Chicks bikes has some 32 spoke Mavic CPX 21's for only $165, in silver. Those are pretty strong. He also has the Open Pros for $195, in silver. Both have Shimano 9s hubs.

I say 36 spoke on the rear only because why not? 4 spokes= 1 ounce.

If you want to stay strictly budget 32/32 spoke is the common offering.

I think a 36/28 combo makes more sense than 32/32.

Though I'm guessing it's hard to make 28..

I've got 3 sets of CXP 33. wheels. Stronger and stiffer than the open pro.
The weight penalty ain't that big. I weighted one of my rims to be just below 460 grams.
That's less than 30grams more than open pro (averages at 430)
Using Shimano hubs, 28 is not really an alternative (aero only).
With a low profile rim, I wouldn't go anything lower than 32 spokes.

Hey man, I have had a few sets of open pro's w/ campy hubs and race on them as well. Good wheel for the money, being a big/strong/heavy (any of the above), I would go for the cpx33's as mentioned above. The eyelets will pull through and split the rim on the open pros rather fast. I get them built up for the rear only as the front does not die, for around $60 AU which is about $40 us, (rim, spokes & labour) so I don't really care if they don't last forever.

I am looking for an alternative to the open pro, just it is too simple for me to use them.

Probably.

Why? I run 32r and 28f on my odds and endos wheels. I am pretty sure just about every set Mike builds has the option of a 28 spoke wheel.

I wanted the Mavic CXP33 with 28 spokes, but I could only find them in the 32 spoke variety. I have 1x pattern in the front, rear has 3x drive, 2x non-drive side. I run these wheels on my cross bike and have not had any problems. The ultegra hubs are fairly light and very long-lasting.

Get Zipp 285 rims, Dura-Ace 32 hole hubs, and Sapim CX-Ray spokes with Zipp Titanium QR's.

Laced 2x.

Eh?

I'd go custom through M. Garcia. Maybe a set of Velocitys Aeroheads would be the ticket...

I have a 32/28 combo on my Felt. I ordered a set from Mike Garcia and they are great wheels. Lightweight, strong and stiff. I'm a little under 200lbs though and about 6' tall.

I dunno why you'd spend so much. Here's what I just bought for my B bike and they're fine and compatible with your gruppo....

http://www.nashbar.com/profile.cfm?c...eid=&pagename=

When I bought them they were even $5 cheaper. Find out if you pound these into the ground before you spend more. Then you'll know if you have to go 36 or not.

I've been running Mavic A719's on the rear since 260 pounds. Its never needed to be trued, crashed twice, and bunny hopped onto a rail tie.

Bombproof 32 spoke with a decent 105 hub. I run a 20 spoke Ritchie Deep in the front for an aero advantage :D :rolleyes:

http://www.evanscycles.com/product.j...t2?style=11299