Touring weight!
08-28-14 | 11:26 AM
#26
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They are not. However if you think your current wheels are sketchy, then a beefier wheel is pretty much a necessity for an extended tour. You may do well with a pre-made wheel that meets your width and spoke requirements, but even then it's not a bad idea to have a mechanic go over it. You have 100 pounds on me, and when I bought a new bike with, I think, a 36 spoke wheel, I had to take that rear wheel to the shop multiple times to have a spoke replaced and the wheel trued. After a couple of times, I got tired of the expense and time off the bike that every broken spoke caused, so I bought some spokes and a cheap truing stand and started doing my own wheel work. After I had broken and replaced about half the spokes on my wheel, they stopped breaking. If you're not going to punish your wheel, people can get by with a machine-made wheel, but touring tends to be punishment enough. A touring clyde needs to be extra careful about wheel strength and build quality.
My solution has been to build my own wheels. I ride a 36 spoke rear wheel and use 32 in the front. It took some trial and error, but my last few wheel builds have been solid. And by buying the wheels in pieces, I could shop around for the best price for each part. It's still often more money than you'll spend on a pre-made wheel, but if you have need for an extra tough wheel, you may not find that being offered pre-made.
Another thing that makes for a stronger wheel is a symmetrical wheel build. That's standard for the front, but on the back, that usually means a hub gear. A hub gear is not everyone's favourite touring choice, but it's an option.
My solution has been to build my own wheels. I ride a 36 spoke rear wheel and use 32 in the front. It took some trial and error, but my last few wheel builds have been solid. And by buying the wheels in pieces, I could shop around for the best price for each part. It's still often more money than you'll spend on a pre-made wheel, but if you have need for an extra tough wheel, you may not find that being offered pre-made.
Another thing that makes for a stronger wheel is a symmetrical wheel build. That's standard for the front, but on the back, that usually means a hub gear. A hub gear is not everyone's favourite touring choice, but it's an option.
08-28-14 | 11:47 AM
#27
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48 spoke 20" BMX wheels will hold up well ..
Rohloff 32 hole get re drilled for 16 more spokes for long tail Cargo bikes . Aaron Goss in Seattle does that.
Rohloff 32 hole get re drilled for 16 more spokes for long tail Cargo bikes . Aaron Goss in Seattle does that.
Last edited by fietsbob; 08-28-14 at 11:50 AM.
08-28-14 | 12:04 PM
#28
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I guess its going to come down to putting out the cost for some tandem style, expertly build wheels. Given your weight it doesn't seem like there are really other options. I hope you can get other recommendations from guys near your weight.
08-28-14 | 12:07 PM
#29
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If you were to go to a 20 inch wheel as you would on a bicycle like a Bike Friday, running a 36 spoke wheel is akin to running a 40 spoke touring wheel in a 700c.
The 36 spoke wheels on my 20 inch touring bike are insanely strong and I am building up a set of 28 spoke wheels for lighter touring.
Smaller diameter rims do not need as many spokes to deliver equivalent strength and at your size you might look at a 26 inch wheeled bicycle with 40 or 48 spoke wheels... this is what we use for our tandems and larger single riders.
Since I am a lightweight rider (145 pounds) I built my touring wheels on custom hubs (36 spoke) laced to CR18 rims and even when I am locked and loaded my total weight with the bike would not touch 225 pounds.
For you I'd build 48 spoke wheels laced to even stiffer rims... we have been very happy with Salsa Gordo 48 spoke rims and have one 400 pound customer who has been trying to break the 48 spoke disc wheelset we built for him for almost three years ago... they have never needed to be touched with a spoke wrench because they were built right.
The 36 spoke wheels on my 20 inch touring bike are insanely strong and I am building up a set of 28 spoke wheels for lighter touring.
Smaller diameter rims do not need as many spokes to deliver equivalent strength and at your size you might look at a 26 inch wheeled bicycle with 40 or 48 spoke wheels... this is what we use for our tandems and larger single riders.
Since I am a lightweight rider (145 pounds) I built my touring wheels on custom hubs (36 spoke) laced to CR18 rims and even when I am locked and loaded my total weight with the bike would not touch 225 pounds.
For you I'd build 48 spoke wheels laced to even stiffer rims... we have been very happy with Salsa Gordo 48 spoke rims and have one 400 pound customer who has been trying to break the 48 spoke disc wheelset we built for him for almost three years ago... they have never needed to be touched with a spoke wrench because they were built right.
08-28-14 | 12:51 PM
#30
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If you were to go to a 20 inch wheel as you would on a bicycle like a Bike Friday, running a 36 spoke wheel is akin to running a 40 spoke touring wheel in a 700c.
The 36 spoke wheels on my 20 inch touring bike are insanely strong and I am building up a set of 28 spoke wheels for lighter touring.
Smaller diameter rims do not need as many spokes to deliver equivalent strength and at your size you might look at a 26 inch wheeled bicycle with 40 or 48 spoke wheels... this is what we use for our tandems and larger single riders.
Since I am a lightweight rider (145 pounds) I built my touring wheels on custom hubs (36 spoke) laced to CR18 rims and even when I am locked and loaded my total weight with the bike would not touch 225 pounds.
For you I'd build 48 spoke wheels laced to even stiffer rims... we have been very happy with Salsa Gordo 48 spoke rims and have one 400 pound customer who has been trying to break the 48 spoke disc wheelset we built for him for almost three years ago... they have never needed to be touched with a spoke wrench because they were built right.
The 36 spoke wheels on my 20 inch touring bike are insanely strong and I am building up a set of 28 spoke wheels for lighter touring.
Smaller diameter rims do not need as many spokes to deliver equivalent strength and at your size you might look at a 26 inch wheeled bicycle with 40 or 48 spoke wheels... this is what we use for our tandems and larger single riders.
Since I am a lightweight rider (145 pounds) I built my touring wheels on custom hubs (36 spoke) laced to CR18 rims and even when I am locked and loaded my total weight with the bike would not touch 225 pounds.
For you I'd build 48 spoke wheels laced to even stiffer rims... we have been very happy with Salsa Gordo 48 spoke rims and have one 400 pound customer who has been trying to break the 48 spoke disc wheelset we built for him for almost three years ago... they have never needed to be touched with a spoke wrench because they were built right.
08-28-14 | 02:06 PM
#31
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Yeah I agree that I need a top quality wheel and will be working with a local wheel builder to purchase the correct wheels to support my heavy duty needs. From what I have read online the 48 spoke Velocity Chukker (properly built and with top quality hub and spokes) should be able to handle almost anything I can throw at it.
It really comes down to the attention and skill the wheel-builder brings to the table if the components are good quality.
08-29-14 | 10:27 AM
#33
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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.
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08-29-14 | 10:33 AM
#34
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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
08-29-14 | 01:34 PM
#36
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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.
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.
Last edited by Booger1; 08-29-14 at 02:59 PM.
08-29-14 | 03:14 PM
#37
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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.
people kill MTB wheel rims and buy new wheels , it's ,a cheap source of axle assemblies. your LBS.
08-29-14 | 04:38 PM
#38
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and the same with shoes...
Finding 48 wides, and most wides are narrow.
Just gotta break down and spend it...
08-29-14 | 04:39 PM
#39
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or rather are the flanges as thick and same grade material on 24's as 48s?
08-30-14 | 11:37 PM
#40
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. Actually, I've heard that's the accumulated fat around your intestines.
08-31-14 | 05:46 AM
#41
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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.
08-31-14 | 06:15 AM
#42
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Brad
08-31-14 | 06:40 AM
#43
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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.
08-31-14 | 06:52 AM
#44
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I do remember Santana made a short run of singles. Unfortunately I was unable to snag one.
Brad
08-31-14 | 07:07 AM
#45
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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. Actually, I've heard that's the accumulated fat around your intestines.
. Actually, I've heard that's the accumulated fat around your intestines.
08-31-14 | 07:11 AM
#46
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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 do remember Santana made a short run of singles. Unfortunately I was unable to snag one.
Brad
08-31-14 | 07:13 AM
#47
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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. Actually, I've heard that's the accumulated fat around your intestines.
. Actually, I've heard that's the accumulated fat around your intestines.I Gained 2 LBS riding from NY to LA, 4200 miles.
Average day was 72 miles.
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09-03-14 | 05:09 PM
#48
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From: Garner, NC 27529
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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.
03-13-15 | 10:30 AM
#50
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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!