Theft worthy???
 

Found a bargain on a set of Aerospoke wheels. Was wondering if that was asking for trouble? I know, I know, don't let it out of my site, lock it securely, put it indoors when ever possible. But, there will come a time when I will have to go in a grocery store, walmart, whatever, and it will be out of my site. Is this asking for some pros to follow me around for such an opportunity or for the really hard core to stop me and strong arm them on the spot? Until I saw these I was considering ways to fugly up my ride.

Wayne

I would worry about loosing them moreso than cheaper wheels because of the cost to me, but not be all that worried about their being targeted. I think your wheel might be a disincentive because they are so obvious and easily identified. I suppose thieves want the nice stuff, but once they know what you have isn't junk, I don't know how much they get into micro analysis of the dollar value. I have wondered how many of them know a Rohloff from something else.

When I am touring I really don't leave the bike. I wheel my bike into the stores, etc... I don't know whether the

I have two theft-worthy touring bicycles, but my "worry-meter" no longer is on overdrive, as it was when they were new (1985 and 2004). I take care to secure them, using two locks if conditions warrant, choosing places where people are milling around. My guess is that bike thieves have been tempted, but deterred by chunky locks and a lack of privacy.

I worry (a little) when I am forced to leave my bike in a "bad" part of town, but I have been lucky for the past 26 years. I think a strong U-lock and a chain are effective deterrents.

Aerospokes have essentially been popularized by bike messengers, guys who constantly lock their bikes up where they can't see them. Why do they like Aerospokes? Because it's easy to sling a lock through those big spaces in the wheels.

So, get 'em and carry your chain and stop sweating it. No one is going to mug you for those wheels who wouldn't have mugged you anyway.

Heavy and low performance,
Hard to accelerate,
long way down (bottom) the list of aerodynamic wheelsets,
really crappy lateral resistance,
Not stiff,
When they break you throw them away,
Did I mention heavy???

sources:
http://www.sheldonbrown.com/rinard/wheel/index.htm
"These wheels are the most flexible wheels I've ever tested. There is no difference at or between spokes primarily because they are so flexible everywhere." damon rinard, sheldon brown site

http://www.rouesartisanales.com/article-15988284.html

graph of energy required for acceleration: note the Aerospoke is dead last, weighing 2450 grams (~5lbs) and requiring more than 9 additional watts to accelerate to 30 kmh:
http://www.rouesartisanales.com/wp-c...ia_june_08.jpg


...I say let the thieves have them.

Touring on these seems silly.

No disrespect, but why is this posted on the Touring Forum?
2fer

No

Because the bike is going on a tour and I will be in places I am not familiar with. Wondering if these would make it more likely for theft.

Wayne

if the Aerospokes are a really good deal, and you can make money on them, sell them!

where are you touring?

and why not just a regular set of wheels?

skimp on something else besides wheels, just my $.02

They're pretty big targets in cities for theft.

Never heard or seen anyone touring on them before. So maybe that’s a reason to do it. Let your freak flag fly!

I probably wouldn't sweat them as far as increasing risk of theft, but I personally wouldn't put them on a touring bike either.

Already sold.

Wayne

I've got a Clydesdale 404's for sale, shimano spline.