socalrider

I have a chance to pickup a set of Shimano Sweet 16 Tandem wheelset for a good price. The low spoke count wheels always make me curious on how they will fair with a tandem crew around 360lbs.

In reading about them I could not find many reviews..

Any opinions would be greatly appreciated

Thanks. Erik

oldacura

I seem to recall that there were many long threads on this forum years ago about those wheels. I also seem to recall that there were issues with them. Do a search on those terms & see what you find out.

socalrider

I read some of the threads and that the tension needs to be kept very close to 26 and if you do not and get loose spokes that cracked rims can happen.. Is anyone still riding these wheels or have all them gone to the scrap heap over this time.

I have standard built wheels that are going on 20+ years - are these wheels good for a couple seasons and then there done?

zonatandem

Would suggest some tandem specific used Topolino wheels. Have pair on our tandem and love them. However we are a sub-250 lbs tandem team.
Have a set on my racing single with 35,000+ miles on them.
Rudy and Kay/zonatandem

pdlpsher

Many years ago I owned a racing tandem with standard road dropouts. I bought a set of the Dura Ace wheels with the paired spokes....not the tandem version but the standard road version, and used them on our tandem. We are a light team but we broke spokes and had issues with cracked rims. Although the tandem version has even tension on the back wheel, I still think that sixteen spokes are too few spokes to support a tandem load. And due to the low spoke count and paired spoke configuration, once you break a spoke the wheel becomes so out of true it's unridable. So a broken spoke will leave you stranded.

I've been a skeptic of Spinergy wheels with the fiber spokes. On our newly delivered tandem we decided to give it a try. The newer Spinergies use a wider rim (18mm internal and 23mm external) and the spokes are bladed. I was blown away! The ride is incredibly smooth. I experimented with running higher tire pressure to see if the wheels can absorb the extra vibrations that come with higher pressure. The wheels did fine and made the ride comfortable despite the higher pressure. The higher pressure reduces the rolling resistance. So a pair of Spinergy wheels in combination with a low rolling resistance tire such as the Conti 4k II and high pressure is an awesome combination. I'd recommend it without hesitation.

socalrider

Spoke to Santana today and looks like were sticking with the higher spoke count wheels.. They sell Velocity Fusion in 40 spoke or Dyad in 48 spoke. Not going to tempt fate on a wheel that crews that weigh 100lbs less than us are having problems with.. So long Sweet 16's

Of the Fusion and Dyad what is consensus on those wheelsets.. Going to stop by Santana on Friday and pickup a set.

Paul J 

Never used the fusion but have thousands of miles on Dyads. Dyad rims are what we typically run on both our tandems. We have three sets, 2 sets are 40/40 and one is 36/40. We've broken a rear spoke along the way but who hasn't. We are a heaver team then most. The Dyads are standard on many bike.

djedgar

We were one of the former Santana customers sold a bill of goods on the Sweet 16 wheels. We were very specific about being a heavy team close to 400 lbs, which was pretty obvious when we walked into the LBS and discussed the purchase of our Santana Beyond. When the rear failed and was going to have a delay in the warranty replacement, Santana offered to sell us a 32 spoke Fusion wheel so we could still ride our bike. I specifically used the language I wanted a "bullet proof" wheel if I had to buy this "spare". I was assured it was. What a joke. We went through two Fusion rims and had lots of conversations with Santana and Velocity. We did get the replacement Sweet-16 wheel replaced. It has since failed, although the front Sweet-16 has held up fine.

We have an old Aero spoke wheel on the rear but rarely use the bike. The Beyond was our 2nd Santana tandem. The luster of riding a Santana has worn off. They did not stand behind what they were "selling". We bought into the PR, our bad. When shopping for replacement wheels, I found a Cannondale mtn tandem for the same cost as 2 wheels. It became our "travel bike" and led us to purchase a Ventana mtn tandem.

We did the NWTR last year with the Beyond and mismatched wheels (the Sweet 16 failed the week before we left on the trip). It was our first tandem rally and a lot of fun. We talked to the Rolf rep and were impressed, but for now we'll monitor the forums... We hope to hear more owner reports. We don't want another expensive mistake. [and for all of you that day go to a 48 spoke dyad, thanks, we've considered it...but we aren't settling for that yet] ��

nfmisso

Dyad of the two choices. I switched our tandem to 48h Velocity NoBS rims - 19.8mm internal vs 18mm for the Dyad. The NoBS is also beefier. No issues with the Dyads, I am using the wheels on my commuter now.

Note: I am a BIG guy.

socalrider

As a 360lb crew - I was thinking the 40 hole Fusions would be more than sturdy enough. Do you guys and gals think it would be prudent to opt for the 48 hole Dyad's to be more of long term wheelset.

Thanks

pdlpsher

The Dyad is much wider than the Fusion. Between the two I'd choose the wider rim as it will result in a stronger wheel. I can't comment on the spoke count as I have no experiences with either a 40 or 48 hole wheels.

Monoborracho

I have a set of 48 spokes Dyads on Phil Wood hubs. We use that wheelset when we travel and tour, and have gone overseas twice. We run either 32mm Gatorskins or 40mm Schwalbe Duremes on our Seven (which will still fit fenders). A few years ago in Ireland I overshifted looking for another cog on a steep hill, and the chain went over the cassette, jamming. I broke the chain, yanked it out from between cassette and spokes, put the link back in, and we went on our way for another four days. When I got home and took the cassette off I realized that three spokes were bent with one nearly severed. I don't think a Sweet 16 would handle that.

We also have a set of Spinergy wheels we use around home. Here's how the numbers stack up for FYI Spinergy with 28mm Gatorskins, (27.18mm mounted), Front/Back -731/1349grams -(4.59lbs), the Dyad/Phils with 32mm Gatorskins (32.75mm mounted) Front/Back 924/1990 (6.42 lbs). I'm sure the Schwalbes on the Dyads would weigh a bit more.

Just my opinion, but you won't regret buying a good high-spoke count wheelset for a tandem carrying 300+ pounds.

socalrider

Thanks for all the advice, the sweet 16's are not even thought about anymore. We are on a loaner set of 40 spoke FIR rims - little bit older on Shimano tandem hubs. They seem to be working well.. Trying to convince friend to sell this one to us, since it has been so solid.

Going to give to 40 spoke Fusions a whirl and then save up and build a custom set of DT Swiss 585 / TK540 or Deep V's for a higher spoke count wheel that will last us into the future..

Looking at what tires to get for the tandem now.. Considering the Continental SuperSport or may stick with Vittoria Rubino's which have been my go to tire for the last few years on my road bike - both in 700x28 size.