Wheels for "Big Lads"

loukest

Morning,

I'm planning on a new set of wheels. I weigh about 15st and am a fairly strong rider. I've had problems with brake block rub in the past when I used to run a set of Askiums. I then upgraded to some racing threes and have had them for about 2 years. A couple of spokes have gone recently and I've noticed that the rim is starting to wear slightly.

I have a couple of questions, firstly, at 15st, does that take a majority of wheels out of the picture. The only real way of shopping so far is to look at the reviews and buy those that mention "particularly good for heavy or powerful riders". For example, I like the look of the campag neutrons but there's not specific mention of heavy riders in there, does that mean they're not suitable. I may even stretch to neutron ultras if they're that much better, a few places have them on at good prices.

I do between 50 and 100 miles a week, most of my riding is on standard UK roads so durability is probably more important than weight. Whilst ashamed to admit it, I'm also big on bikes looking good outside the coffee shop etc.

I've found a number of older threads on this subject but most refer to wheels that have since been replaced a number of times over.

Any advice appreciated.

carrock

15 stone- a mere stripling!!

i vary between 16-17 stone and bought a set of roval fusee wheels- low spoke count 20/24 and light weight (1468 grammes ) and they've been fine. Ocassional brake rub when cranking up big hills out of the saddle, but you'd get that with any wheels.

Roval have lifetime warranty, although they recommend that riders approaching 250lbs ( 18 stone ) get the wheels checked regulalry

Think some wheels do have a weight limit, and of course a set of handbuilts with 30/36 spoke count would be stronger, but I suspect you want the look of low spoke count boutique wheels with bladed spokes

bramstoker

Im slightly heaver than you and had some Ultegra wheels, they started to feel like they were flexing so i sold them. I was told to get some 32 spoke triple crossed, but struggled to find many on the web. I have some planet x model c`s comming down and i can let you know how it goes with these.
http://www.planet-x-bikes.co.uk/i/q/WPPXMODELC/planet-x-model-c-wheelset

Anonymous

mavic open pro rims built up with 28 front and 32 rear CX Ray spokes and decent hubs would be my choice...

Peejay56

Hi Loukest - a big lad myself at 6' 5" and 20st, a proper "FB", but I'm losing it!

I totally agree with NapD - Open Pro's, some good hubs and spokes.

I run Open Pro 36's on Dura-ace hubs on a Rourkie and Open Pro 36's on 105 hubs on a Bob Jackson. Hand built jobs with DT 14 gauge spokes - no problems at all, still all spokes tight, rims running bang true and hub bearings OK.
I also have some Open Pro 32's on Ambrosio hubs on my fixed which I built myself and they too are spot on.

Pete.

Sleeping_menace

I've been riding a pair of Pro-Lite Gavia 50 carbons with no problems at all and I'm 115kg. They're reasonable weight, and very tough in my experience. I've got >4000km's on them now and not had to true or tighten them yet. I can get out of the saddle and hammer and not be riding against the brake pads all the way up the hil either.

Since those worked so well.. when I was recently looking for a disc, I went back to them and grabbed a Padova disc. Same thing..seems very tough, much less flex than the Zipp disc I tried and the bearings are very good. They may not be ideal for everyone, but if you're a big/strong rider looking for something which will hold up, these do very well..
I did mini-reviews on my blog if you're bored...

Gavia 50's..:http://anotherdooratthe.endoftheinternet.org/2011/01/04/pro-lite-gavia-50mm-carbon-wheelset-5-minute-review/

Padova Disc: http://anotherdooratthe.endoftheinternet.org/2011/04/11/pro-lite-padova-disc-wheel-5-minute-review/
..

Gazzetta67

Ambrosio Zenith Hubs (polished silver like the old Campag Record 2006)
Ambrosio 32 or 36 Hole Excellence Rims.

BOMB Proof

Poulsy

Fulcrum Racing 3

danowat

At 15st, you'll be fine with most wheels, its only when you start getting above 100kg that it could become an issue.

Koomy

I just got my new wheels from Harry Rowland
I'm 15st, and wanted a good strong year-round wheelset.
Phoned him for recommendation, and decided on Ambrosio Excellight rims, Ultegra hubs and Alpina f1 spokes (32/32).
Coming from RS20s, the bike feels so much more planted, and the ride much smoother.
Very happy.

pastey_boy

i vary between 16.5-18 stones and found xero xr-210's great, currently running ceramic open pros 32hole on novatec hubs built with aci butted spokes, absolutely solid and not too heavy the novatec hubs are almost the same as ambrosio zeniths and planet x's superlight hubs (same factory) and seem good quality .

solboy

Koomy wrote:

I just got my new wheels from Harry Rowland
I'm 15st, and wanted a good strong year-round wheelset.
Phoned him for recommendation, and decided on Ambrosio Excellight rims, Ultegra hubs and Alpina f1 spokes (32/32).
Coming from RS20s, the bike feels so much more planted, and the ride much smoother.
Very happy.

Koomy - can you give more of an overview/review of the wheels as this is the build i am thinking about opting for. I did PM you but also....Thanks Solboy