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Bike wheels

Posted: Thu Dec 06, 2018 2:03 am
by pontrumlee
Hello team
I am thinking of buying new wheels for my Merida ride 91 I way 100kg and ride about 200 k per week...my question is how much advantage would there be in me swapping my Alex 24 rims for something a bit lighter..any help would be appreciated

Re: Bike wheels

Posted: Thu Dec 06, 2018 9:05 am
by Neddysmith
Id imagine itll feel much nicer to ride and probably roll better as well, a set of wheels is one the biggest upgrades i believe you can do to a bike.

Re: Bike wheels

Posted: Thu Dec 06, 2018 9:09 am
by Paddles
Unless your current rims are worn/unsafe, I'd just hang onto the cash.

Re: Bike wheels

Posted: Thu Dec 06, 2018 9:33 am
by Ivanerrol
I weigh 100 kilos.
After the last visit to the LBS to get some wheels trued, I was advised to get off those 622.14 wheels with 24mm tyres and onto wider wheels and tyres.
The subject of lighter wheels came up. The advise was to stick with 32 spoke wheels with a minimum inside width of 17mm and 28mm tyres.
My body weight vs minor wheel weight reduction was subjective.
Alex Rims being generally the bottom of the rung wheels installed on new bikes to keep the costs down.
I'd be more concerned with these less expensive wheels going out of true more often.

Not necessarily lighter wheels but better quality, sturdier wheels.

When I retook up cycling I weighed 115 kilos. I managed to get down to 95 kilos in six months. A layoff for a few months meant the weight crept up to 102 kilos. I'm now back to 100 and going down slowly. My hill climbing ability is directly proportional to each kilo I take off.

Re: Bike wheels

Posted: Thu Dec 06, 2018 9:50 am
by find_bruce
As per Ivanerrol, any weight you save on wheels will be infinitesimal compared to the weight you (& I for that matter) can reduce off the rider.

Sure if you want to buy bling then whatever makes you happy, just don't fool yourself that there will be a significant performance gain

Re: Bike wheels

Posted: Fri Dec 07, 2018 11:14 pm
by Deus_Ex_Machina
I'm a cycling noob but work as a personal trainer amongst other things and I gotta agree with find_bruce. Managing weight is a real struggle for some and I understand that but I'm always a bit baffled by saving a few hundred grams on kit (unless you are at the elite end) unless you are lean as buggery. I'm 178cm and 74kg and relatively lean but you know what I could probably still find a keg or two on the front of the torso if I really tried. That's an entire wheel.

Re: Bike wheels

Posted: Sat Dec 08, 2018 2:29 pm
by madmacca
I agree with Ivanerrol - at that weight, you want something reasonably robust and that will allow you to run wider tyres (and therefore lower pressures). Tyres make a much bigger difference than wheels. Wheels come into it because wider internal width is required for wider tyres.
https://www.sheldonbrown.com/tire-sizing.html#width

Many of the lighter wheels have a weight limit of 85-90 kg. Unless the width is limited, I'd save your cash at the moment.

Re: Bike wheels

Posted: Sat Dec 08, 2018 6:10 pm
by NASHIE
If she has done a few k's then a good servcie new cassette/chain and tyres and she will feel like a new bike. Better bang for your buck than new wheels :wink:

Re: Bike wheels

Posted: Sat Dec 08, 2018 8:22 pm
by paule11
Get Campagnolo Zondas stiff strong light and fast

Re: Bike wheels

Posted: Sat Dec 08, 2018 8:59 pm
by biker jk
paule11 wrote:Get Campagnolo Zondas stiff strong light and fast
The op is close to the weight limit for Campagnolo wheels of 109kg so not a great suggestion. 16 spokes on the front and 21 on the rear for a 100kg rider is asking for trouble. Just curious to know what makes those wheels fast?

Re: Bike wheels

Posted: Sun Dec 09, 2018 9:27 am
by rodneycc
biker jk wrote:
paule11 wrote:Get Campagnolo Zondas stiff strong light and fast
The op is close to the weight limit for Campagnolo wheels of 109kg so not a great suggestion. 16 spokes on the front and 21 on the rear for a 100kg rider is asking for trouble. Just curious to know what makes those wheels fast?
Zondas are great. I hover between 100kg and 105kg and I've had Zondas for years (the 2013 old 15mm wide so even narrower than the current ones). 109kg weight limit I would say is fairly generous guide with a bit of leadway like most of the Campy/Fulcrum range which are just brilliant (and Ive tried most).

I bought my Zondas secondhand, did a few thousand kms and have sold them onto a work collegue who loves them as well replacing his stock wheels on a Trek Domane ( which he buckled one on a crash). I advised him not to run 28mm tyres on them (being 15mm) at the time but he did anyway and said they run great without a problem on his commutes. The current Zondas would be great with 28mm tyres and ideal for fast tarmac commutes.

Maybe 120kgs I'd be worried (so 100kg plus a lot of packing). But at 100kg like me with min packing then not a problem. Not many people would take an airline suitcase worth of weight with them on the bike!

https://intheknowcycling.com/2017/04/25 ... -squirrel/

Re: Bike wheels

Posted: Sun Dec 09, 2018 9:41 am
by rodneycc
Btw Reid cycles used to have an "upgrade" option on there Falco bikes from Alex rims (may have even been Alex 24) to Mavic Aksiums which were solid but unspectacular wheels.

Now Zondas are much much better than the Aksiums.

I do agree with the others about losing body weight and fitness being the best bet but at the same time think a modest wheel upgrade is well worth it as well ( I am a sucker for the rotational weight theory of good wheels opposed to carbon bidon cages for instance or a few grams off the weight of a saddle).

Re: Bike wheels

Posted: Sun Dec 09, 2018 12:21 pm
by foo on patrol
I find it strange the comment about 100-110kg riders not being able to ride low spoke count wheels, as I've ridden on them for ages and even on the Track, I race with a 16sp front and I'm 108-110kgs. :? Perhaps you should say.........cheap low spoke count wheels? :wink:

Foo

Re: Bike wheels

Posted: Sun Dec 09, 2018 1:03 pm
by biker jk
rodneycc wrote:
biker jk wrote:
paule11 wrote:Get Campagnolo Zondas stiff strong light and fast
The op is close to the weight limit for Campagnolo wheels of 109kg so not a great suggestion. 16 spokes on the front and 21 on the rear for a 100kg rider is asking for trouble. Just curious to know what makes those wheels fast?
Zondas are great. I hover between 100kg and 105kg and I've had Zondas for years (the 2013 old 15mm wide so even narrower than the current ones). 109kg weight limit I would say is fairly generous guide with a bit of leadway like most of the Campy/Fulcrum range which are just brilliant (and Ive tried most).

I bought my Zondas secondhand, did a few thousand kms and have sold them onto a work collegue who loves them as well replacing his stock wheels on a Trek Domane ( which he buckled one on a crash). I advised him not to run 28mm tyres on them (being 15mm) at the time but he did anyway and said they run great without a problem on his commutes. The current Zondas would be great with 28mm tyres and ideal for fast tarmac commutes.

Maybe 120kgs I'd be worried (so 100kg plus a lot of packing). But at 100kg like me with min packing then not a problem. Not many people would take an airline suitcase worth of weight with them on the bike!

https://intheknowcycling.com/2017/04/25 ... -squirrel/
Your opinion is well and good but here's what Campagnolo states:

All Campagnolo wheels are constructed to meet the highest standards of resistance and durability. If you weigh over 109 kg/240 lbs we advise you not to use this product. Non compliance with this warning can damage the product irreversibly. If you weigh 82 kg/180 lbs or more, you must be especially vigilant and have your bicycle inspected more frequently (than someone weighing less than 82 kg/180 lbs). Check with your mechanic to discuss whether the wheels you selected are suitable for your use, and to determine the frequency of inspections. Using tires with a larger diameter and a frame that respects the standards will help to increase the lifetime of the wheels.

The suggestion that even riders weighing 82kg or more need to be careful suggestions that there isn't much leeway around 109kg.

Re: Bike wheels

Posted: Sun Dec 09, 2018 1:09 pm
by biker jk
foo on patrol wrote:I find it strange the comment about 100-110kg riders not being able to ride low spoke count wheels, as I've ridden on them for ages and even on the Track, I race with a 16sp front and I'm 108-110kgs. :? Perhaps you should say.........cheap low spoke count wheels? :wink:

Foo
You can ride them but the facts are that spoke breakages are more likely at that rider weight with low spoke count wheels. I can mention anecdotal experience as well. My wife hit a half brick with a 32 spoke wheel I built. Result was a front and rear pinch flat but the wheel wasn't even out of true. But when she hit a pot hole with a Shimano C24 (16 spokes front, 20 spokes rear) the wheelset was cactus.

Re: Bike wheels

Posted: Sun Dec 09, 2018 1:16 pm
by foo on patrol
biker jk wrote:
foo on patrol wrote:I find it strange the comment about 100-110kg riders not being able to ride low spoke count wheels, as I've ridden on them for ages and even on the Track, I race with a 16sp front and I'm 108-110kgs. :? Perhaps you should say.........cheap low spoke count wheels? :wink:

Foo
You can ride them but the facts are that spoke breakages are more likely at that rider weight with low spoke count wheels. I can mention anecdotal experience as well. My wife hit a half brick with a 32 spoke wheel I built. Result was a front and rear pinch flat but the wheel wasn't even out of true. But when she hit a pot hole with a Shimano C24 (16 spokes front, 20 spokes rear) the wheelset was cactus.
Strange how the only wheels that I have broken spokes in, are the higher spoke count. :? I still say it has a lot to do with how you ride. :idea: That's my experience with low spoke count. :wink:

Foo

Re: Bike wheels

Posted: Sun Dec 09, 2018 10:10 pm
by rodneycc
C24s are not equal to the same level Campy or Fulcrum. The 9000 series are actually quite fragile on large hits ( go out of true much more likely than the fulcrums Ive found (can't speak about the newer 9100). Even the older 7900 and 7800 C24s I think seemed a bit more solid.

But Foo is right about the way you treat them, at the end of the day don't gutter bash them and treat them with respect. You can be unlucky with any wheel if you hit something out of the ordinary, remember they are road wheels and not mtb wheels!

I can only relate what my experiences have been with a series of wheels. I rate the Zondas more robust than the 9000 series c24 but not as fast and rate Shamals and Racing zeros the best overall wheels for speed and robustness ( at a certain price point).

Seeing that Campy/Fulcrum have that same warning preamble on all their wheels from low budget to high performance tells me its more to satisfy their legal team. Therefore I stand by my experience.

Re: Bike wheels

Posted: Mon Dec 10, 2018 9:11 am
by Neddysmith
foo on patrol wrote:Strange how the only wheels that I have broken spokes in, are the higher spoke count. :? I still say it has a lot to do with how you ride. :idea: That's my experience with low spoke count. :wink:

Foo
Yep i'd agree with this, i sit between 96-98kg, and have a few different sets of wheels i change between Campy Shamal G3, some GRP carbons and riden on a few others as well, ride both hills and fast flats and have never really had an issue with wheels going out of true or breaking spokes, so i certainly believe it comes down to how you ride, or perhaps ive just been extremely lucky.

And while yes body weight makes a difference when riding, having nice set of wheels will make a difference.

Re: Bike wheels

Posted: Fri Dec 14, 2018 7:54 am
by foo on patrol
I will also state, that one set of wheels (DT SWiss) I broke a front spoke (never broken a front spoke in my life before) and the rear had one pop whilst just riding at 25kmh and on the flat. The rear was replaced and before I even got the wheel back another went, then another, then another, :shock: so I ended up having to get the rear, fully re-spoked. :evil: Turn out, that there was a bad run of spokes when these were made, so I was unlucky. :( All up, the rear wheel had one break whilst riding but another six, popped before I got it back. :shock:

Two of the rear wheels spoke where the spoke popped, was when I was kicking at the start of a sprint, again high spoke count wheels but training wheels, not my good race wheels. :wink:

Foo

Re: Bike wheels

Posted: Tue Dec 25, 2018 1:15 pm
by paule11
biker jk wrote:
paule11 wrote:Get Campagnolo Zondas stiff strong light and fast
The op is close to the weight limit for Campagnolo wheels of 109kg so not a great suggestion. 16 spokes on the front and 21 on the rear for a 100kg rider is asking for trouble. Just curious to know what makes those wheels fast?
They spin well hold speed well very stiff that's what makes them fast I was over 100kg when i got them at 97 kg now still runnning true surprised how much more robust they are compared to Aksiums

Re: Bike wheels

Posted: Tue Apr 23, 2019 2:28 pm
by KristianJ
Figured I'd just bump a topical thread instead of starting a new one...

My recently acquired Pinarello Opera FP has a Shimano RS100 wheelset (20 spoke front, 24 spoke rear, about 1850 grams total) and 25mm Maxxis Refuse rubber. Seller indicated that they had only been bought about 6 month's ago and little more than 1000km ride distance.

I'm 189cm, about 103kg. I have my eye on the MS Gong ride in Nov so will look to trim down for that, but for the time being I'll mainly be riding flattish roads/paths with slight climbs...no longer than 25-30km per outing.

I've ridden the bike around 20km so far on flat paved paths/roads and have had no discernible issues, however after reading some threads here I'm a little concerned that I should find a wheelset with more spokes.

I'm hoping that because of the slightly higher weight I don't have to be quite as worried, and that I can get away with just lowering the PSI a little.

Is there anyone around my weight who has experience with a wheelset of similar weight/number of spokes who would advise a particular path of action?

Re: Bike wheels

Posted: Tue Apr 23, 2019 2:43 pm
by vinski
Hi

Ive been riding my roadie with shimano RS30 wheels for the past 4-5 years with no issues and im about the 105kg mark...maybe slightly more with my backpack when i commute. My riding is a mix of road and bike paths (probably more bike paths) and the bike paths i use arent the smoothest ones - plenty of bumps etc. So id say you would be ok on what you got as long as you arent bunny hopping kerbs etc.

Thats just my experience.

Cheers
Vinski

Re: Bike wheels

Posted: Sat Apr 27, 2019 5:50 pm
by KristianJ
vinski wrote:Hi

Ive been riding my roadie with shimano RS30 wheels for the past 4-5 years with no issues and im about the 105kg mark...maybe slightly more with my backpack when i commute. My riding is a mix of road and bike paths (probably more bike paths) and the bike paths i use arent the smoothest ones - plenty of bumps etc. So id say you would be ok on what you got as long as you arent bunny hopping kerbs etc.

Thats just my experience.

Cheers
Vinski
Thanks for the reply...have been to at least 1 of my LBS (albeit not my usual one) and was advised the same re. bunny hopping kerbs and the like.

I'll keep on going with them and if anything does go awry I'll do a bit more investigating.