Wheels for a road bike, for lightweight touring

drummer_boy
drummer_boy Posts: 236
edited November 2014 in Road buying advice
Hi there. The wife and I are doing a couple of small tours next year (c2c, Newcastle to Edinburgh), so I was looking at using my Dolan Preffisio for the journey.

I currently have Mavic Aksiums on there, and I weigh 110KG already. So I am looking for a set of wheels, that will fit a 25c tyre, and carry a light overnight (or two) load.

Any recommendations?

Comments

  • tangled_metal
    tangled_metal Posts: 4,021
    Is that Newcastle to Edinburgh the Castles and Coast route? A few mates did it and it's supposed to be a cracker.
  • whoof
    whoof Posts: 756
    How much stuff are you planning to carry? If you weigh it it will probably be about 5kg. Would you change wheels if you put on 5 kg of body weight?
    This year I rode Wales end to end and last year Geneva to Nice through the Alps staying in B and B/hotels. Carried one rear pannier on my 'winter bike' with 25 mm Schwable Durano plus tyres on either Pro-lite Como or Shimano 550 wheels. I don't think either of these are much different than Askiums.

    When I camp I take 3/4 panniers, a tent and a bar bag and use a touring bike but this has a more to with weight distribution and handling than my concern over the wheels.
  • andymiller
    andymiller Posts: 2,856
    Go bigger than 25 mm if you can.

    For 25mm tyres 36H Mavic Open Pros would be a good choice. It's worth getting them built by a wheelbuilder like Harry Rowland or Spa Cycles. Make sure to get decent tubes and keep them well inflated to avoid pinch flats if you do go on bumpy surfaces.
    Italy Cycling Guide
  • wotnoshoeseh
    wotnoshoeseh Posts: 531
    I'd go for a wider rim - like a H+SON Archetype, on an Ultegra or 105 hub, as you'd want 32 or 36 spokers. If Campagnolo then a Campy hub or a Miche Primato.

    I'm sure Ugo or CycleClinic will be along shortly to advise.
  • ugo.santalucia
    ugo.santalucia Posts: 28,312
    whoof wrote:
    How much stuff are you planning to carry? If you weigh it it will probably be about 5kg. Would you change wheels if you put on 5 kg of body weight?

    Panniers are bang on the rear wheel, 5 Kg are more like putting on 10 Kg body weight.
    Considering the OP is already roughly 20 Kg over the Mavic weight limit (100 Kg including bike) his concerns are not unfounded.

    The only sensible option is a 36 spokes rear wheel, if that's too hard to stomach for a racing purist, then keep the Aksiums and suck it up... other low count wheels on the market are neither better nor worse.
    left the forum March 2023
  • drummer_boy
    drummer_boy Posts: 236
    Cheers for the feedback so far. I don't mind higher spoke count wheels, and that was where I thought I'd end up. My other bike is a CX, so I'm used to chunkier wheels.
  • ugo.santalucia
    ugo.santalucia Posts: 28,312
    Drummer_Boy wrote:
    Cheers for the feedback so far. I don't mind higher spoke count wheels, and that was where I thought I'd end up. My other bike is a CX, so I'm used to chunkier wheels.

    The paradox is that you don't need chunky wheels for cyclocross.
    left the forum March 2023
  • drummer_boy
    drummer_boy Posts: 236
    ugo.santalucia wrote:
    The paradox is that you don't need chunky wheels for cyclocross.

    Not chunky wheels, but certainly tough ones!
  • ugo.santalucia
    ugo.santalucia Posts: 28,312
    Drummer_Boy wrote:
    ugo.santalucia wrote:
    The paradox is that you don't need chunky wheels for cyclocross.

    Not chunky wheels, but certainly tough ones!

    Not really... it's a myth... soft ground, big tyres, low pressure, why would you need tough wheels?

    What kills wheels are heavy load and mileage, neither has anything to do with cyclocross.

    As a paradox I use the thinnest spokes mostly for mountain bike wheels 26 and 27.5 inches, as the smaller size means they need less tension and the bracing angle means they are inherently stronger.
    left the forum March 2023
  • drummer_boy
    drummer_boy Posts: 236
    ugo.santalucia wrote:
    Not really... it's a myth... soft ground, big tyres, low pressure, why would you need tough wheels?

    What kills wheels are heavy load and mileage, neither has anything to do with cyclocross.

    As a paradox I use the thinnest spokes mostly for mountain bike wheels 26 and 27.5 inches, as the smaller size means they need less tension and the bracing angle means they are inherently stronger.

    I've done a few CX races this season, and i do agree with you, for the most part. However, I weigh 110KGs, and if you hit a banking lip at speed, the wheel needs to be able to take it and stay true. Also, I've done a few of the AdventureX events this year (lots of fun if you haven't done one), which are basically 50mile CX type onroad/offroad sportives,with lots of rocky climbs and descents. Tough wheels are definitely needed!!
  • Nero and Me
    Nero and Me Posts: 2
    Hey Guys!

    Firstly great choice for a small touring adventure. The coast and castles route is beautiful.

    Now lets talk about Touring.

    Im a full time tourer. I've just completed cycling the UK with my dog (riding on the back of my bike) over 2600 miles.

    You do not need any specialist gear/wheels for your trip. My back axel carried a load of around 120kg and Ive not even had a spoke go! Coast and Castles is almost entirely on road and the sections that aren't i would almost recommend walking as they are so short. Get some decent tires like Schwalbe Marathons and you will be fine.

    Save your money fore the many pubs and cafes you will want to stop at!

    If you want to know more about any aspect of touring feel free to message me and if you want to know more about my trip you can find me on twitter and instagram under Neroandme and my blog is Neroandme.co.uk.

    Happy travels!
  • hammond1975
    hammond1975 Posts: 948
    I would check that 25 tyres would fit, I had the same frame and 23's were very tight, doubt that 25's would fit if your running mudguards.

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