Advice on wheelset

Joakim

Hey guys,

This is my first post here and I'm somewhat new to the world of road cycling so I'd like some input on the choice of wheelset if possible.

I've been looking at http://www.rosebikes.se/bike/rose-xeon- ... aid:674118 and the standard choice is the Mavick Ksyrium Elite S WTS.
After looking around to find out more information, i've heard a lot of scenarios where their wheels crack at the spoke nipple and apparently it's a hassle working with the company through the warranty.
I do weigh a bit more than average, around 110kg (242.508 pounds) and this is also contributing towards looking at other alternatives.

The available option here is the DT Swiss R 23 SPLINE Wheelset, which I've heard good reviews on the longevity and is a good option for heavier riders.

My overall thoughts in regards to this is which wheel would be the best choice. I will ride mostly on asphalt roads and in Sweden there's not to much climbing going on apart from the occasional 50-100 meter challenge.

I really appreciate any possible feedback you can provide me with to make my choice a bit easier here!

Thanks in advance!

Regards,
Joakim

drlodge

The DT Swiss R 23 SPLINE wheel has 24 spokes on the rear looking at the pic. For someone of your weight I'd be looking at a 32 spoke wheel, preferable using J spokes (easily replaced).

Bobbinogs

Good advice from drlodge but I also wonder about the sagacity of rim braking for such a load giving the chance of wet riding, even with limited descents. Might be worth thinking about getting a well fitted (and therefore comfortable) touring bike with decent disc brakes (and a good gear range) until the weight comes down (you could always keep it as a winter bike, etc.).

arlowood

As said above, in your position I would be looking at some higher spoke count wheels.

Current factory wheel options might be a problem since most are focused on keeping weights down with the consequence that they tend to have lower spoke counts.

However many new bikes come with OEM wheels built around a Mavic CXP22 rim (usually 32 hole) and these can often be picked up new or nearly new as the bike buyers swap them for something lighter. They are not the lightest of wheels but it is probably less relevant for you than the fact that they are pretty "bombproof".

Careful choice of tyres can also improve the feel of heavier wheelsets

Have a look on Ebay

http://www.ebay.co.uk/sch/i.html?_nkw=m ... set&crdt=0

or in the Classified section on this site. You could pick up a good bargain

sloppyschleckonds

110kg? 40 spokers

ugo.santalucia

None of the wheelsets on the market is designed with you in mind and most come with written (or unwritten) weight limits of 90-100 Kg.

If I were you I would talk to someone local to you to get something bespoke... there must be a builder in Sweden, otherwise let me know and I'l move... 8)
Velocity Chukker as a rim has got your name on. It's aero, it's wide and it's robust like an ox. Pick the best quality hubs you can afford (Miche, Ultegra, Hope) and happy days.

Joakim

Thanks a lot for all the replies!

The plan is, of course, to drop weight and looking at your comments I might be better off dropping down to about 200-220 pounds before purchasing a road bike. I do have a more simplistic Scott Atacama at the moment which works for my level so far (But it's heavy, running almost 33 pounds). Both of the tires I mentioned have a recommended weight limit of 110kg on their website, but I do agree that pushing it may cost me in the long run.

So let's say I did weigh within good limits for both tires, which would be the best choice here given the reports on spoke nipple cracks on the Mavicks?

ugo.santalucia

IMO to make good use of something like Ksyrium Elite, you need to be 85 Kg or less. There are people who claim to have done 20,000 Km on the Elite S and claim to weigh 100 Kg, but IME this is an exception, rather than the norm... plus the WWW is full of rubbish

drlodge

I would buy the bike with the Ksyrium Elite S WTS wheels, get someone to build you a set of wheels as per Ugo's advice and sell the Elite's. No point in waiting to lose weight before you can cycle, get out there and get on that bike!

lostboysaint

Hey Joakim, I'm 98kg and about 6 months ago got a set of Velocity A23 built onto Miche hubs with 32 Sapim Race spokes/wheel. Great rims, strong, true wheels, smooth running hubs. No problems with them at all. Also have the benefit of making a 25mm tyre (Conti GP4s in my case) slightly fatter, rounder and even more comfortable.

Bobbinogs

Tyres are a good point as I would probably advise that the OP goes for 28mm as a min. That may be a problem with that bike but worth checking beforehand.

cycleclinic

The H plus Son archetype is another good rim that will handle your weight with a 36 spoke rear. The Chucker is something you could hurl at a wall and it will survive not a bad thing though. Ambrosio Focus 30 or the DT Swiss RR585 are other choices but these are narrow. Velocity deep V will do the job too. The velocity A23 is not one I would pick for a very heavy rider.

Joakim

I really want to thank you all for the awesome advice I've gotten here and after looking around I think a pair of Chukkers will be awesome for training purposes. Was thinking of using an 11 speed ultegra hub, front and rear, which I think will do the job nicely along with DT Swiss spokes and nipples (Would 36 rear and 32 front work, or is it better to stick with 36 on both? 3 cross lacing).

I was gonna try and do the wheel building myself as I've heard that with time and patience it's doable and if all else fails I can always then go to a builder to ask for further help

I'm somewhat lost on which tire would fit that Chukker and if you guys have any advice on that, I'd be very happy! As stated above, the riding surface will consist of asphalt and the occasional minor dirt road.

Thanks again!

ugo.santalucia

Joakim wrote:

I really want to thank you all for the awesome advice I've gotten here and after looking around I think a pair of Chukkers will be awesome for training purposes. Was thinking of using an 11 speed ultegra hub, front and rear, which I think will do the job nicely along with DT Swiss spokes and nipples (Would 36 rear and 32 front work, or is it better to stick with 36 on both? 3 cross lacing).

I was gonna try and do the wheel building myself as I've heard that with time and patience it's doable and if all else fails I can always then go to a builder to ask for further help

I'm somewhat lost on which tire would fit that Chukker and if you guys have any advice on that, I'd be very happy! As stated above, the riding surface will consist of asphalt and the occasional minor dirt road.

Thanks again!

Sure, makes sense, even the spoke count, although with a chukker even a 32 rear is good enough. I would use DT Swiss alpine 3 spokes at the back and DT competition at the front (you can get them cheap from Rose in Germany). A 25 mm tyre like Vittoria Rubino PRO tech maybe?

Joakim

Cheers! I really appreciate all the information, thanks again!