Durable touring wheel for light touring on a Surley X Check

leytonrocks
leytonrocks Posts: 2
edited November 2012 in Road buying advice
I'm looking to upgrade my rear wheel of my Surly Cross Check ... it was a frame where I cannibalised most accessories from a Spesh Crossroads ... recently the rim of the wheel split (god knows how) so I figured it needs replacing rather than fixing

Any recommendations for a durable touring wheel good enough for light touring (two rear panniers at most)

Much appreciated

Stuart

Comments

  • ugo.santalucia
    ugo.santalucia Posts: 28,336
    Hi Stuart,

    I have a set of Ambrosio Excellight 36 holes which scream to be built into a light touring set. Thing is I don't want to split the set as it's not easy to get hold of those rims with this spoke count and a set built on quality hubs and spokes will not be less than 220 pounds. There are cheaper alternatives, there are 50 pounds wheels available on the market that might fit the bill for a while... this is a rather "luxurious set" offered at a bargain price as typically a set of Excellight built comes closer to 300 pounds
    left the forum March 2023
  • allezcourage
    allezcourage Posts: 64
    I've got Open Pro rims on Shimano XT hubs with 32 DT swiss spokes front and rear. The rear spacing on the Cross Check allow you to run XT hubs and take advantage of the extra sealing. I've found them perfect for the purpose you describe, as well as any and every other use I've put them to.

    I do love my Cross Check.
  • ugo.santalucia
    ugo.santalucia Posts: 28,336
    allezcourage wrote:
    I've got Open Pro rims on Shimano XT hubs with 32 DT swiss spokes front and rear. The rear spacing on the Cross Check allow you to run XT hubs and take advantage of the extra sealing. I've found them perfect for the purpose you describe, as well as any and every other use I've put them to.

    I do love my Cross Check.

    That's also a great combo, with upgraded hubs and light rims as opposed to the stone made Alex DA 16
    left the forum March 2023
  • elcani
    elcani Posts: 280
    I'm interested in this thread as I'm considering new wheels for my Cross Check. It's used as a do-it-all winter bike/touring bike and I'm currently running it with Planet X Model Bs. These are nice and light for winter training, but will be no good for touring. An added issue is the fact that I've got Tektro mini-Vs, which need to be incredibly close to the wheel rim (otherwise the brake levers bottom hit the bars), so lateral stiffness is very important. The Model Bs rub when I'm out of the saddle (I weigh 80kg) and the bike is unladen, so I imagine they'd be much worse with added weight on the bike.

    I'm wondering about the spec of a 'Goldilocks' wheelset that will be light and fast enough for fast, hilly road riding but also suitable for medium weight touring. I'd dump the mini Vs if necessary, but they do provide excellent braking power.
  • ugo.santalucia
    ugo.santalucia Posts: 28,336
    ElCani wrote:
    I'm interested in this thread as I'm considering new wheels for my Cross Check. It's used as a do-it-all winter bike/touring bike and I'm currently running it with Planet X Model Bs. These are nice and light for winter training, but will be no good for touring. An added issue is the fact that I've got Tektro mini-Vs, which need to be incredibly close to the wheel rim (otherwise the brake levers bottom hit the bars), so lateral stiffness is very important. The Model Bs rub when I'm out of the saddle (I weigh 80kg) and the bike is unladen, so I imagine they'd be much worse with added weight on the bike.

    I'm wondering about the spec of a 'Goldilocks' wheelset that will be light and fast enough for fast, hilly road riding but also suitable for medium weight touring. I'd dump the mini Vs if necessary, but they do provide excellent braking power.

    I understand the cross check has 135 mm rear spacing, how can you use model B which have road measurements at 130 mm... Unless yours is a road specific model? Enlighten me...
    left the forum March 2023
  • elcani
    elcani Posts: 280
    Cross Check has 132.5mm spacing. :)
  • ugo.santalucia
    ugo.santalucia Posts: 28,336
    ElCani wrote:
    Cross Check has 132.5mm spacing. :)

    Interesting... and a 130 mm hub fits with no play whatsoever...??
    left the forum March 2023
  • elcani
    elcani Posts: 280
    Yes, it's totally fine. The Cross Check is steel, so the stays can be stretched/squeezed in order to accommodate both road and MTB hubs. I believe 132.5mm spacing is now fairly common on 'multi-purpose' frames. Not sure if it only works with steel.
  • ugo.santalucia
    ugo.santalucia Posts: 28,336
    ElCani wrote:
    Yes, it's totally fine. The Cross Check is steel, so the stays can be stretched/squeezed in order to accommodate both road and MTB hubs. I believe 132.5mm spacing is now fairly common on 'multi-purpose' frames. Not sure if it only works with steel.

    Pretty much, yes... carbon is too damn stiff and aluminium alloy doesn't like to be bent
    left the forum March 2023
  • elcani
    elcani Posts: 280
    That's what I'd have thought, but aluminium frames with 132.5mm spacing do appear to be available.

    https://www.performancebike.com/reviews ... Frame.html

    Whether they're a good idea or not is another matter!
  • ugo.santalucia
    ugo.santalucia Posts: 28,336
    ElCani wrote:
    That's what I'd have thought, but aluminium frames with 132.5mm spacing do appear to be available.

    https://www.performancebike.com/reviews ... Frame.html

    Whether they're a good idea or not is another matter!

    Maybe they can squeeze 1 mm per side, 2 per side was considered too much... maybe the frames are designed to be more forgiving...
    left the forum March 2023

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