Wheels for a fat boy, sorry, big lad...

mclarent
mclarent Posts: 784
edited June 2008 in Workshop
Hey all, could use some advice. I'm "heavier than the average rider" at 100kg or 15 stone 10. That's heavy enough that I can feel the flex in the Shimano WHR500's that came with my Bianchi when I'm going up hill. In my defence I've lost quite a bit of weight(!) but I could really use some lighter and stiffer wheels.

Any suggestions?

I was thinking of £200 - £250 range - Wiggle quotes the Ultegra SL as a good set at that price point, but any other suggestions?
"And the Lord said unto Cain, 'where is Abel thy brother?' And he said, 'I know not: I dropped him on the climb up to the motorway bridge'."
- eccolafilosofiadelpedale

Comments

  • Naz
    Naz Posts: 353
    At 100kg I wouldn't necessarily go for lighter wheels

    Also, stiff means less comfortable, so unless you are racing I wouldn't see much point in going for super stiff wheels, sounds like you need strong wheels, perhaps Open Pro handbuilts on Ultegra hubs with 36 spokes, easily within budget?
    Naz

    www.kingstonwheelers.co.uk
  • mclarent
    mclarent Posts: 784
    Thanks for the suggestion Naz - now I reveal myself as a real newbie...

    By handbuilt, I'm guessing you mean I'm going to have to get someone to stick the components together for me? I certainly don't have the knowledge (or the desire) to potentially wreck reasonably expensive kit!!

    LBS or is there another option? I live in East London if you have "local knowledge"...
    "And the Lord said unto Cain, 'where is Abel thy brother?' And he said, 'I know not: I dropped him on the climb up to the motorway bridge'."
    - eccolafilosofiadelpedale
  • caw35slr
    caw35slr Posts: 439
    Why don't you call somebody like:

    Harry Rowland: http://www.rstocker.freeserve.co.uk/harry.htm
    Paul Hewitt: http://www.hewittbikefitting.co.uk/inde ... age=wheels
  • humble
    humble Posts: 17
    For what it's worth - I am about 88 kg and hava a '05 Bianchi Brava purchased in '06 - one of the only steel frames I could find. The only trouble I had with the bike was the wheels. Eventually I broke spokes and upon replacement they broke again. Along the way I had a flat or two also.

    On the advice of my local bike shop - which was not where I purchased the bike - I replaced those wheels with Mavic Aksium Wheels - and also - Bontrager Race Lite Hardcase tires. The bike road much more confidently afterward and I have not had a problem since riding some very poorly maintained roads. Sunday my back wheel went over a bottle and - no warp - I was surprised.

    You can see about these items here ->
    http://www.mavic.com/road/products/Aksium.995664.aspx
    http://bontrager.com/model/00443/en

    Not sure of the price on those - but they are not top of the line stuff - I think I got in the whole gig - for around US $300 - just moved my gears over - tires and installation included.

    That's what worked for me - maybe go to your local bike shop or two and discuss the issue with them and see what they say.

    /h
  • davelakers
    davelakers Posts: 762
    Im a "big lad" at just under 15 stone and I had problems with a couple of sets of wheels, so I took the plunge and got some hand built wheels made by Paul Hewitt. Mavic Open Pro rims, Dura-Ace hubs with 36/34 spokes and they have been a revelation!!
  • mclarent
    mclarent Posts: 784
    Right, sounds like Mr Hewitt will be getting a mail from me - if only for some advice! Thanks for the answers people! :D
    "And the Lord said unto Cain, 'where is Abel thy brother?' And he said, 'I know not: I dropped him on the climb up to the motorway bridge'."
    - eccolafilosofiadelpedale

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