Bike Forums - Light and CHEAP Wheelset

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With regards to the American Classics, what are the advantages of the Sapim spokes other than weight? Are they (poor word choice ahead, but it's all I can think of right now) weaker than the standard spokes they use? I'm shopping for a light climbing wheelset that will get some decent use on the weekends. Thinking about having a set built up around <insert light rim here> and DT hubs. I weight about 185-190 pounds (seasonal, you know) and while I'm not the strongest rider in the fast groups I'm not the first one dropped when the Cat 2's turn the screws. I tend to spin as much as I can as well (I'll run a 13-29 cassette on these wheels when I finally decide on them).

I think the concern I have is with strength. My rational voice says that lighter doesn't equal less strength, but I have an easier time thinking that about the likes of frames and components. Guess there's something about spokes that still throws up a red flag.

Quote:

Originally Posted by divekrb

Materials, design, and manufacturing process can make things lighter and stronger. That's pretty much the case with Xrays. Virtually all the high end, high tension wheel guys (Zipp, Reynolds, Etc) have gone to them. Given that they are building wheels in some cases with double the spoke tension and half the spokes of a normal build, that's a pretty good indicator of strength. In Reynolds case the Cirro's I have are strung REALLY tight, but have a flawless reputation for reliability.

I don't doubt the strength claims of the Sapim spokes, but there are other problems with stiff and high tension spokes than spoke failure. American Classic recommends a lower rider weight for their wheels built with Sapim spokes:

Weight Limitations (pdf file)

I don't know why they decided to lower the limit, but I can guess why. The CX-Ray spokes are stiffer (less springy) and thus subject the rim to higher stress cycles than the thinner DT Rev spokes do. Stiff spokes are tougher on rims for this reason. Also, since stiff spokes are less springy, iit's easier for the spoke tension to drop to zero, allowing the nipple to rattle loose.

Quote:

Originally Posted by divekrb

Hi Terry,

Very good post, I hadn't seen AC's PDF, only what they had previously posted on their site. What I really want to know is why is a guy who weighs 130 looking at weight limits? :)

Well, 135 actually. A couple pounds more in Winter. ;)

Since I've gotten my new AC wheels, it seems that every day someone asks me about them. I always mention the weight limitation, which usually gives them pause.

Quote:

Originally Posted by triggersd

I'll give the Ksyrium Elite ('05) wheelset a nod as well. Although they're pretty new, I can attest to their ability to take a beating. They replaced a set of alexrims AT450's that were the WORST wheels EVER! I blew at least 1 spoke/month over the last year on them. Oh....the mavic MP3 warrenty kicks butt too. for around 40 bucks I got a 2 year -no questions asked- warranty. Hopefully I won't have to use it.

Diggin' up an older post here. . .

I just blew a spoke on those Ksyrium Elites a few days ago.

After about 1300 miles (a milestone for me!) one of the non-drive side rear spokes finally gave way. The nipple was broken in 1/2. The head of the spoke had also vanished. I still stand by the quality of these wheels as they've seen some good hits down here in San Diego over the past few months. The fact is that the roads here could be better. I don't care if I see Arnie on CNN helping fix pothols in Sacramento, he's not on my street.

Fortunately I had that handy MP3 warranty and the boys at the shop got me back on the road in no time.

Thumbs up on the wheelset.