Fleabiscuit

My Powertap wheelset uses low spoke count DT Swiss Aerolite spokes and Kinlin rims. I'm around 210 and can easily flex the rear wheel during climbs or sprints (anything above 1,400 watts). When the wheel flexes you can feel the brakes lightly scrub the sides of the rim. Aside from that, they feel very similar to my other heavy duty wheelset.


I am probably a bad example because I admittedly lack the speed of most of the 41, but I can't say one wheelset is faster than the other. The flexy set is more comfy but it could be the tires (conti gp4k). Also, the flexy wheels may not be as safe as the heavy duty set but they have not exploded yet. Will keep you guys posted! Also, I'd let your heavyweight cousin try your bike as long as he buys you new wheels if he destroys yours.

Gramercy

If the wheels flex and the brakes rub, can you loosen the brakes so there's more space on each side to stop the friction? I may try to do this. It seems like it can be done with an Allen wrench.

lsberrios1 

Does not compute.... I'd think 1,400 watts is pretty darn high even at 210 lbs. I am lucky to get over 1000 for 3+/- secs every once in a while and I am 166.

WhyFi

Why not - what's the worst that could happen?

Smokehouse

lol...

Psimet2001 

Slow day here in the tundra that is Chicago. All quotes answered....all parts ordered....all builds that can be built...uh...built....

Never come out here anymore but Facebook is awash with people taking travel selfies to CX nats and dashboard shots of thermometers and the occasional "LOOK AT HOW BADASS I AM I RODE A BIKE TODAY" selfies... *yawn*

I tried to read this whole thing. I made it through the first page. Instead it's much more fun to pick up random posts and poke some fun so...here we go:

1. Low spoke count - There's your problem. Spoke count does 1 thing - it provides enough tensioning elements supports the rim structure appropriately. It inversely affects aerodynamics and weight. Too many builders bow to the fancy of fashion and build them with too few spokes.
2. Flexing a kinlin....1400W.....sure......
3. Touching brake pads....don't set them so close. You know the brake levers move the whole distance of their throw - not just the first 2mm.
4. A too low spoke count with aero spokes....on a powertap. What's the point? General comment here, but what is a powertap for? Training? Isn't the point to get good numbers? Why house a system that is dependent on the flex of the system in order to produce good numbers (the point of it's existence) in a flexy, poor shell of a wheel? Vanity seems to be the only answer. It's definitely not a reasoned decision made with the intent of using the powertap for better training....when you step back and look at it.

so...have fun with the responses. I may jump back in....may not.

canam73

Fleabiscuit is obviously doping and banned is banned for life.

Psimet2001 

Obviously.

1400W at a 210 rider weight...unless fb is an elite track cyclist this is a severely short timed power output. Personally I have some nice sprints in the 1395-1400W range at the track at 210lbs...they are measured in lasp/seconds not climbs....but I have never found my amazing 1400W output to be a factor that flexes my wheel while climbing. If I have a wheel that's flexing under me while climbing it's because it has too few spokes and my ass is too fat.

FB....if you're climbing more than a block or two at power and you're averaging more than 300-350W then kudos to you. Now if you're touching your brake pads on a kinlin build at a sustained 300-350W at 210lbs I am going to guess you're on something ridiculous like a 20 spoke rear, have your brakes set too close, or have something wrong with the build/wheel. Try tightening that skewer to something higher than "barely on" and see if that makes a difference for you as well.

canam73

I need to write banned a few more time in that last post.

Fleabiscuit

Banned, banned, banned! Not yet at least.


Anyway, thanks for the long and detailed response Rob. I bought the wheelset from a lighter rider. The Kinlins are awesome and in fairness I guess the wheels aren't super low spoke count. I don't recall off hand but think they have at least 24 rear spokes. The spokes are definitely flexing under power but it takes over 1000 watts to flex them and I am not able to sustain that power for more than short bursts. Heck, if I was able to average over 300w for a reasonable distance, I would have gladly bragged about it with lots of false modesty. My goal is to average 200w and I'm not even achieving that modest level these days.


My PT wheels are for training and are primarily used on a stationary trainer these days. They work fine but the flexing did concern me at first. They've stayed true over a few thousand miles so I'm not complaining. Someday I'll own a pair of Psimet wheels with appropriate spoke count and spoke type.


Cheers


FB