Stronger wheels required!!

EFCdaveMCR

I am quite a large bloke (about 18 stone if I'm being generous to myself), and bought a Boardman Comp 2011 model in April on the C2W to try and lose some weight. Had panniers fitted as well for the full "commuter" look

I've been happily biking to work and back, except for the fact that my rear wheel (Alex Rims DP17, 700cc ) went out of true after a couple of months. So, I had it straightenend at the LBS, it had six new spokes, and it worked fine for another month.... then I heard spoke go again (over smooth ground) and the kink returned, rode it a few more days (mistake, I know) and now I have six broken spokes and a bent wheel again.

Even if I get the wheel fixed again (which I might well do, as an emergency spare)I won't trust it to regularly ride on. So I want an "upgrade" wheel, but I need it to be stronger than the DP17, a 700cc, and to fit a disc brake. I'd also like it to look similar, but beggars/choosers interface may well come into play here. Oh, and cheap, it must be cheap

I think I basically need to look at wheels for a touring bike, but I'm mesmerised by all the options and I KNOW I'll waste money I don't have if I try and sort it myself. I work full time and can't cycle to the LBS to get their advice, and don't trust a phone conversation to sort it.

So can somebody please suggest a wheel to me? Otherwise that expensive collection of metal tubes that I used to call a bike will be slowly edged into the shed and I don't want to do that

cougie

Any decent bike shop will build you suitable wheels. You want a decent strong rim and plenty of spokes. Sorted. Dont see why a telecon couldnt sort it ?

Chad_c_Mulligan

Ultegra hubs with Mavic OpenPro Rims 32 hole version is bulletproof.

markos1963

Chad_c_Mulligan wrote:

Ultegra hubs with Mavic OpenPro Rims 32 hole version is bulletproof.

I thought the OP wanted a disc brake, do Ultegras come with disc fitting?

Surely he wants an XTR type rear hub?

giant_man

A good strong wheel, excellent vfm but not the lightest wheel, is the Quest Como. Under 100 quid and very strong:

http://www.questbikes.co.uk/acatalog/Wheels.html

yaya

I'd look for a Mavic A719 or A319 built onto a Hope or a Deore disc hub. They come in 32, 36 or even 40 hole versions! If you want something a bit lighter then look for Open Sport or Open Pro

my 2¢ worth

ridefastforfree

Iv you want a brilliant commuting/touring wheel, get someome to build up a hope pro 3 hub on to a mavic a719 rim, nice and light and will last you forever!,

To be totally honest alex wheels are pretty crap even when they are not used on a daily commute.

i got a set of hope road wheels and they have not needed adjusting even slightly even though i weigh about 16 stone and have a harsh commute every day, but if i was to throw panniers in to the mix, i would go for the combination i suggested.

But if you want a disc hub, go for the pro 2 hub, just make sure you get the right spacing for a road bike.

hope this helps

desweller

TBH it sounds as if the original build of the wheel you have was at fault, rather than the choice of components.

If I were in your position I'd get it rebuilt with completely new spokes before electing to replace the whole wheel.

robdaykin

something like this if you can get a disc hub version:

http://www.wiggle.co.uk/mwheel-shimano-deoremavic-a319-rear-road-bike-wheel/

I run a pair of these in my hybrid and they're bulletproof on or off road. I'm a bit lighter than you, but the bike gets used for shopping, so it's not unheard of for it to have 2 panniers full of food, a rack bag, and me with a rucks bike gets used on the Moor to Sea routes off road as a rigid mountain bike. A couple of years old, and no truing needed. Though to be fair it doesn't do as many miles since I got a mountain bike a year ago.

Before I got these I had deeper Mavic rims which were good, but the spokes were double butted, and broke regularly. These wheels were cheaper than getting the spokes replaced and the wheels rebuilt in my case.

Edit ....

Evans have a disc variant
http://www.evanscycles.com/products/m-wheel/deore-m475-mavic-xm317-front-wheel-ec007285
$&*%&$(*%& its 26| sorry.....

Amyway... same general principles apply, Mavic rim probably A319, 36 DT Swiss plain gauge spokes in 3 cross, Shimano hub.

EFCdaveMCR

Wow, thanks everyone for the help. The Quest Como looks lovely and sporty, but am a bit scared of the lack of spokes - the Mavic A319 seems like a good solution though - I'll have a look around when I get home from work tonight.

DesWeller wrote:

TBH it sounds as if the original build of the wheel you have was at fault, rather than the choice of components.

If I were in your position I'd get it rebuilt with completely new spokes before electing to replace the whole wheel.

I was considering taking it back to claim under warranty, but I bought it from Halfrauds and I'd rather just pay my own money than go back in there, to be honest. I'll get the LBS to sort the wheel out again, but just so I can keep it as a spare.

Thanks again for all your help, I feel a bit more confident in my ability to talk wheels with my LBS now

giant_man

EFCdaveMCR wrote:

Wow, thanks everyone for the help. The Quest Como looks lovely and sporty, but am a bit scared of the lack of spokes - the Mavic A319 seems like a good solution though - I'll have a look around when I get home from work tonight.

DesWeller wrote:

TBH it sounds as if the original build of the wheel you have was at fault, rather than the choice of components.

If I were in your position I'd get it rebuilt with completely new spokes before electing to replace the whole wheel.

I was considering taking it back to claim under warranty, but I bought it from Halfrauds and I'd rather just pay my own money than go back in there, to be honest. I'll get the LBS to sort the wheel out again, but just so I can keep it as a spare.

Thanks again for all your help, I feel a bit more confident in my ability to talk wheels with my LBS now

Believe me, you won't bend or break the Comos, they are a well built wheel for a factory offering, they are nice wheels and won't break the bank. What you shouldn't do is buy anything else from Halfords surely .....

EFCdaveMCR

giant mancp wrote:

EFCdaveMCR wrote:

Wow, thanks everyone for the help. The Quest Como looks lovely and sporty, but am a bit scared of the lack of spokes - the Mavic A319 seems like a good solution though - I'll have a look around when I get home from work tonight.

DesWeller wrote:

TBH it sounds as if the original build of the wheel you have was at fault, rather than the choice of components.

If I were in your position I'd get it rebuilt with completely new spokes before electing to replace the whole wheel.

I was considering taking it back to claim under warranty, but I bought it from Halfrauds and I'd rather just pay my own money than go back in there, to be honest. I'll get the LBS to sort the wheel out again, but just so I can keep it as a spare.

Thanks again for all your help, I feel a bit more confident in my ability to talk wheels with my LBS now

Believe me, you won't bend or break the Comos, they are a well built wheel for a factory offering, they are nice wheels and won't break the bank. What you shouldn't do is buy anything else from Halfords surely .....

Thanks for the reassurance - The review seems good as well - I especially approve of the use of the word "bombproof" :twisted:

Well, that's it, I'm sold on these now - thanks for the help. I might not have been clear enough at the time, but my point in the earlier post was that I would rather spend money at an LBS instead of attempting a warranty claim with Halfords - my employer uses them for c2w so I took the boardman, threw the voucher at the spotty oik and ran, never to be seen again in such turgid surroundngs.

Anyway, I'll approach the LBS about getting a set in and fitted - my front dp17 has been fine, should I keep that on? Or fit both Como's? The bike's already rear heavy so maybe the heavier front will balance the bike better?

And tyres? I'm thinking Gatorskin duraskins. As I'm going for sturdiness.Again, this is based on some reading up I've done so please feel free to correct me:

Barteos

As long as there is enough clearance for wider tyres/rims, get some Hope 29er wheels (Stans Crest rims) and put some 28mm Gatorskin on it.
Crest rims are only 380g and they will very nicely increase volume of any tyres you put on them (more comfort and protection).

carrock

Cyclocross wheels??

giant_man

EFCdaveMCR wrote:

giant mancp wrote:

EFCdaveMCR wrote:

Wow, thanks everyone for the help. The Quest Como looks lovely and sporty, but am a bit scared of the lack of spokes - the Mavic A319 seems like a good solution though - I'll have a look around when I get home from work tonight.

DesWeller wrote:

TBH it sounds as if the original build of the wheel you have was at fault, rather than the choice of components.

If I were in your position I'd get it rebuilt with completely new spokes before electing to replace the whole wheel.

I was considering taking it back to claim under warranty, but I bought it from Halfrauds and I'd rather just pay my own money than go back in there, to be honest. I'll get the LBS to sort the wheel out again, but just so I can keep it as a spare.

Thanks again for all your help, I feel a bit more confident in my ability to talk wheels with my LBS now

Believe me, you won't bend or break the Comos, they are a well built wheel for a factory offering, they are nice wheels and won't break the bank. What you shouldn't do is buy anything else from Halfords surely .....

Thanks for the reassurance - The review seems good as well - I especially approve of the use of the word "bombproof" :twisted:

Well, that's it, I'm sold on these now - thanks for the help. I might not have been clear enough at the time, but my point in the earlier post was that I would rather spend money at an LBS instead of attempting a warranty claim with Halfords - my employer uses them for c2w so I took the boardman, threw the voucher at the spotty oik and ran, never to be seen again in such turgid surroundngs.

Anyway, I'll approach the LBS about getting a set in and fitted - my front dp17 has been fine, should I keep that on? Or fit both Como's? The bike's already rear heavy so maybe the heavier front will balance the bike better?

And tyres? I'm thinking Gatorskin duraskins. As I'm going for sturdiness.Again, this is based on some reading up I've done so please feel free to correct me:

Another option if you're worried about lack of spokes are these, on offer at present:
http://www.planet-x-bikes.co.uk/i/q/WPP ... 7-wheelset

Tyres, well I favour the Krylion carbons in 25C personally but I used to ride on Gatorskins, either the hardcase or the duraskins, they're good too ... good luck with it!

mrmonkfinger

Personally, I would avoid the Comos, they look a bit cheap and the low spoke count is not the best idea for an 18 stone rider. Low spoke counts can work, but they need careful building and I can't see that happening for the price these sell at.

yaya's advice is good. Phone the LBS and ask for a custom wheel. A Shimano disc hub (Deore LX or XT) and a Mavic A319 would make an excellent budget combination for what you want. Decent amount of spokes and reasonable cost.

Much of the strength of a wheel is in the build quality, cheaper machine built wheels are simply not that well built.

If your front wheel is ok, I would leave it alone.

EFCdaveMCR

Got my bike Tuesday, I feel MUCH happier on the new wheel knowing it's sturdier

FYI for those interested, I ended up with the following:

Hub: Shimano FH-M475

Rim: DRC ST17 "Elegant II"

Tyre: Bontrager Racelite B Hard Case

£85 fitted, and they sorted my front derailleur for me FOC.

Soooooo.... I didn't buy anything anyone on here recommended Although being able to go in and ask about a Mavic rim or a Quest rim gave me the little bit of confidence I needed to enter into discussion with the LBS, so thanks everyone 8)