Local is always best... the Chukker is popular among bike polo players and if they use them you know they are tough.

It really comes down to the attention and skill the wheel-builder brings to the table if the components are good quality.

Odd question....what about a recumbent trike? I am guessing that the load would be distributed across all three wheels and I could upgrade the wheels as well.

Personally, with that total weight I'd opt for an Extra Wheel trailer. I've toured extensively over thousands of miles with this trailer and it's light (just under 8 lbs ) takes up no room, and the new model is built for panniers. This would take all the luggage weight from off the back wheel and it tracks beautifully.

I like this idea.....a catrike's weight limit is quoted as 275lbs, but I bet you could talk to Catrike and go even higher

Greenspeed's trikes are steel.(vs Aluminum) may be a bit more capable .. an Australian product.

I've drilled 24 spoke Shimano hubs to make them 48 for a couple friends.Easy for me,I'm a machinist.

Just saying,that there are other ways to get 48 spokes besides high dollar hubs.

You could drill them in a simple drill press and use a 24 tooth spocket as the index.

Shimano has a 48 hole tandem cassette hub.. the same parts just longer axle High flange, not too hard to swap in a shorter axle..
people kill MTB wheel rims and buy new wheels , it's ,a cheap source of axle assemblies. your LBS.

Same with me and wheels,

and the same with shoes...
Finding 48 wides, and most wides are narrow.
Just gotta break down and spend it...

Does removing the material weaken the flange?
or rather are the flanges as thick and same grade material on 24's as 48s?

If you ride >75 miles a day, after 2 weeks you should begin to loose weight. I usually loose about 10 pounds every 3 weeks while on tour, and I'm not fat. That is after 2 weeks of colon cleansing:p. Actually, I've heard that's the accumulated fat around your intestines.

Am I the only one that thinks a more robust frame is needed? I commented in post 11 with a couple suggestions for a more robust frame.

The 40H Hadley rear hub broke at the flange on my Santana. IMO 40+ spoke wheels should use high flange hubs to allow more metal between the spoke holes.

Brad

fwiw, after reading this thread I took a look at the burley nomad, and fell in love. An old man mountain front suspension rack is 200$. The trailer is 300$ and I don't need panniers then. Going to double check my goodies list and see what else can be deleted.

Regardless of what one may think of the LHT/DT, the frames have proven to haul a lot of weight reliably. If I were the OP, I'd consider a more robust frame only if the Surly exhibits problems.

I do remember Santana made a short run of singles. Unfortunately I was unable to snag one.

Brad

I am pretty sure that a most 350lb riders cannot ride 75 miles a day.... The problem is that to get started on a even a small credit card tour I would need the larger wheels to support the weight knowing that the goal is not to need the wheels after a few months of riding.

I agree that the weak link is the wheels and not the frame.

Depends on what and how much you eat.

I Gained 2 LBS riding from NY to LA, 4200 miles.

Average day was 72 miles.

I'm running Chukker 48's w PW tandem disc.

So says Surly, here's the email.

"Mike,

300lbs is just where we stop making a lot of promises. People have certainly toured with a total weight over that number, but at that point you'd be wanting to take extra care (no curb hopping) and maybe you'd want to have a custom set of wheels built. The 36 spoke wheels we send with the complete bike are very nice wheels, but a set of handbuilt wheels might get a little more life out of them.

Please let me know if you have more questions.

Thanks,
Eric Sovern
Surly Bikes"

Another option is 26' wheels, we're taking disc here, so they'll work just fine. My understanding is that 26' is inherit stronger and obtw, you can still go with high spoke count.

I didn't go that route, spent the cash instead.

I have heard the tandem argument, I think the longer wheelbase takes a good bit of shock out of it. Also the captain is usually the heaviest, both of those cause a more even weight distribution.

Yep, called a local builder and I am having the wheels built....they are expensive but like they say....you get what you pay for.

Sorry about this as I have not followed up. Had the 48spoke Velocity Chukker built with Phil wood tandem hubs and all I can say is WOW! These things are super heavy but at my weight a few lbs is nothing. The wheels are solid and I can feel the difference in the quality compared to the standard wheels that come with the DT. The folks at PW were amazing at dialing in my requirements and although the wheels were super expensive (more than the cost of my bike) I think they will be worth it in the end as I will not need to worry about failure while on the road.Thanks for the help!

Thanks for the feedback. Confidence in reliability is worth the extra cost.

Brad

needless to say, I wouldn't leave the bike locked up outside downtown Boston or something, after the expense and time spent getting them you'll want to keep a good eye on them. May they have a good long life.

My medium flange 48 hole Phil hub was built 5 cross (like 4 cross in 36 Hole) worked well on multiple tours over 10 years ..

I agree those wheels are super blinged out and I need to dirty them up.

What can I say, I live in Montreal..... You have to be careful and use multiple locks depending on the area and all that stuff.

Got a local bike shop you use?