Audax wheels = training wheels??
rodgers73
Posts: 2,626
I had some wheels made up for me on the basis that I wanted some good robust wheels for long distance rides that wouldn't break when going over a pothole or two.
I've since found out that these are what a lot of riders would call "training wheels" - i.e. ones that look a bit heavy and naff.
They're H plus Son Archetype rims with DT Swiss 350 hubs. They seem fine to me and haven't shown any signs of trouble after 6 months now.
So, what wheels would a long distance rider use???
I've since found out that these are what a lot of riders would call "training wheels" - i.e. ones that look a bit heavy and naff.
They're H plus Son Archetype rims with DT Swiss 350 hubs. They seem fine to me and haven't shown any signs of trouble after 6 months now.
So, what wheels would a long distance rider use???
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Comments
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Your wheels sound perfect to me for long distance riding.
I suspect those who sneer at your "training wheels" are the sort of image-obsessed cycling fashion victims who mock people for not having a slammed stem.0 -
Most distance riders will use something with more spokes than the marketing machines of Mavic etc. would have you buy.
36/36 used to be common (and still is the right solution for a bigger rider), but stiffer/wider rims are making setups like 28/32 more common these days.
Wheel issues are a common reason for DNF, especially on a longer ride like PBP/LEL - factory wheels go really wrong when things break, whereas a handbuilt with a decent spoke count will stay in better shape even if you lose a spoke.
Long-distances clearly means a lot of night-riding - so chances of hitting a pothole are greatly increased.
PBP you'll see the little bike shops at every control doing a roaring trade in new wheels for those that pringled their factory wheels.
Wheels I use:
Winter - 36/36 Royce and Ambrosio Excellence - replace front with SON setup if riding 200 or more.
Summer - mix of wheels with Archetypes - all 32 rear (I have a Powertap and a Hope rear) and 28 front (SON and Hope).
That said, people do ride very blingy factory wheels without issue - you do see the odd setup with deep-section Zipps and so on. Luck of the draw and acceptance of risk really. Some people will accept the risk of the marginal gains against the chance that a broken spoke means DNF is highly likely.0 -
One drawback of long rides, as well as the spoke issue, is light. The handbuilt wheel option gives the best answer which is the possibility of having the front wheel built up with a dynamo which, when matched with a decent light combo, will offer great light and no worry about battery life. Modern dynamo hubs offer very low resistance (comparatively) and come in quite a few price/spoke ranges. If you have some spare cash and want performance where required then have a spare 'daytime riding only' wheel built up with a normal hub.
I don't get the "handbuilts image" thing. A nice pair of Excellights/Open pro made up with Ultegra hubs and decent black spokes in a 28/32 combo look the business, IMO, decent weight and offer greater 'performance' than many price equivalent factory options.
I am not against factory wheels (as I have some and ride them often) but some will almost buckle out of shape when a spoke goes due to the low spoke count and higher tension, and that kind of showstopper is more unusual with a 28+ spoke count.0 -
My spoke count is 28/32 on the handbuilt wheels and I got a 2nd front one made up with a Shimano hub dynamo fitted into it. That's a 28 spoke count too. I weigh 78 - 79kg.0
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...so ride your bike
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^this is not a typical setup - but goes to show what a wide range of wheels get used in distance.
SON hub up front, 24 spokes onto a Zipp 404. 808 at the rear.
The rider made it around 1400km of London Edinburgh London, so goes to show that blingy carbon wheels can work just fine!0 -
The wheels may be ok but that frame bag looks dreadful!
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Bobbinogs wrote:One drawback of long rides, as well as the spoke issue, is light. The handbuilt wheel option gives the best answer which is the possibility of having the front wheel built up with a dynamo which, when matched with a decent light combo, will offer great light and no worry about battery life. Modern dynamo hubs offer very low resistance (comparatively) and come in quite a few price/spoke ranges.
Can you hook a hub dynamo up to a battery and use it for say, keeping your phone topped up, running your Di2 mechs with off the shelf parts rather than a DIY bodge?I used to just ride my bike to work but now I find myself going out looking for bigger and bigger hills.0 -
Yes.
B&M E-werk, Tout Terrain Plug and a few other solutions out there.
Or these days, there are several dynamo lights that have USB charging built in - B&M Luxos-U for example (which is what I run on my distance bike).
Works very well - I charge a battery up during the day and then I have power to recharge phone and GPS etc. when required.0
