Rear wheel strength, fixed vs. geared
 

I need to build a new rear wheel for my fixie. I’m about 180lbs, ride 28mm tires. Usually im pretty conservative and go with 32h wheels on my other bikes, but I’m wondering if that’s overkill in a fixie since the rear wheel isn’t dished. ie, is a 28h fixed rear wheel going to be as strong as a 32h geared wheel?

I’d use this bike for all-around road riding, maybe some light randonneuring, so I’d want it to be reliable. We have some rough roads around Chicago (but who doesn’t in the US).

4 spokes isn’t going to make any difference in terms of weight or speed or anything, more curious about whether 28h would be solid enough.

I think you would be fine with a handbuilt 28h wheel . A 32 is certainly going to be stronger if built right but a 28h wheel will do the job for you just fine.

Wheel technology and materials have changed substantially, and a 28-spoke wheel is considered a robust build. I regularly tour with a 28-spoke wheelset, and most gravel wheelsets are 24-spoke. You will be fine if the build is done is well. The premise that 32 and 36-spoke wheels are a necessity for durability is a belief from the past and no longer relevant.

^^^^^ believe it

What are the light rim brake road rims that fit that category? I’ve seen 28h touring wheels that are wide and heavy and disc-only. I’m less familiar with the road side, except for proprietary Mavic/Campy/Shimano etc sets. I’d prefer to build my own wheels with standard spokes/hubs/drillings etc.

QUOTE=Atlas Shrugged;23705043]Wheel technology and materials have changed substantially, and a 28-spoke wheel is considered a robust build. I regularly tour with a 28-spoke wheelset, and most gravel wheelsets are 24-spoke. You will be fine if the build is done is well. The premise that 32 and 36-spoke wheels are a necessity for durability is a belief from the past and no longer relevant.[/QUOTE]

You're not that heavy, you don't need tandem wheels, unless you're really hauling a load. Most bikes have like a 200lb weight limit, and can hold more.