Wheelset for a heavy rider

callas

Hey there,

so I am struggeling a bit to cut through the vast possibilities on the market for wheel sets.
The only thing I do know is that I am not really happy with the standard wheel set that came with the Emonda SL 5 and I would like to upgrade in the range of 500 euros (+-100).

I am looking for everyday wheels that can hold my 85-90kg frame. Any recommendations?

Thanks!

sloppyschleckonds

Have a look at thecycleclinc, something like the Borg22 in a 24/28 config with Miche hubs

https://thecycleclinic.co.uk/collection ... r-wheelset

timothyw

While you are on the heavy side, I'd imagine you are within the tolerance of most wheelsets out there, so to some extent you can just get the ones which look nicest to you, while avoiding the most lightweight of options.

So a few options to consider are:
- Campagnolo Zonda, a forum favourite.
- Pro Lite Bracciano A42W (note the W for Wide, the new and improved model) - very well regarded for their strength, should bring some aero gains.
- Handbuilts from 'the cycle clinic' aka Malcolm Borg, a regular poster on the forum - https://thecycleclinic.co.uk/collection ... -wheelsets - particularly the 'borg31' options.
- Farsports/other imported carbon option - you're unlikely to find many options for carbon rims in your price range though.
- Hunt wheels

I'm considerably heavier than you so have to go handbuilt/custom every time unfortunately....

k3vinjam3s

I dont think you are overlly heavy. Ive been 100kg on a set of mavic ksyriums that have never come out of true in thousands of miles. So they are my recommendation.

yiannism

I am pretty much on your size and the fulcrum racing zero that i have are perfect. Zonda's (or fulcrum racing 3, that are essentially the same wheels with different name) are safe VFM choice too.

arlowood

SloppySchleckonds wrote:

Have a look at thecycleclinc, something like the Borg22 in a 24/28 config with Miche hubs

https://thecycleclinic.co.uk/collection ... r-wheelset

+1 - I am at the top end of your weight range (90kg) and had Malcolm build me a set of Archetype/Miche wheels a couple of years back.

I know the Archetype rims are a bit old school by today's standards but they have been faultless for me

https://thecycleclinic.co.uk/collection ... lset-black

Well within your budget

Darius_Jedburgh

Hunt???

cycleclinic

I 'm 85 kg before I am kitted up. I roll around on 20F/24R spoked rim brake wheels. The OP is not heavy. all my own wheels would cope along with many others.

callas

Thanks everyone for the great recommendations. I guess that gives me a great base and make a decision

Methodical

Another option is Yoeleo. These wheels are very reasonably priced and they will customize them for you (i.e. can add extra spokes to support your weight) and color choices. They are UCI approved, too. I have 2 sets of these wheels (38mm and 60mm) and they are really nice.

callas

So I looked into a couple of these and detected the Hunt Race Season Aero Hunt Race Season Aero

Any thoughts on these? Sturdy enough?
Otherwise i would probably go with the Fulcrum 3 or the Mavic Ksyrium Elite UST

Thank you all!

The Spiderman

I’m 86kg and have ridden on Aksiums, Ksyriums and Ksyrium Elites with no problem even when I was well over 90kg.
It always seems strange to me that 85 kg is seen as heavy in the bike world.
I’m 6ft and run 40 miles a week and am lighter than most of my peer group.

timothyw

Callas wrote:

So I looked into a couple of these and detected the Hunt Race Season Aero Hunt Race Season Aero

Any thoughts on these? Sturdy enough?
Otherwise i would probably go with the Fulcrum 3 or the Mavic Ksyrium Elite UST

Thank you all!

Should be fine. Certainly wouldn't expect the Mavic/fulcrum to be any stronger.

RodeBike

The Spiderman wrote:

I’m 86kg and have ridden on Aksiums, Ksyriums and Ksyrium Elites with no problem even when I was well over 90kg.
It always seems strange to me that 85 kg is seen as heavy in the bike world.
I’m 6ft and run 40 miles a week and am lighter than most of my peer group.

Yeah, that's what I was thinking too when I read the OP. I wasn't thinking of myself as a heavy rider/person, at 6'1" ish and just under 90kg, I'm easily one of the fitter of my peer group too, and I don't have any real excess fat hanging around.

cashbmx01

I’m 120kg without kit and tool kik etc - Mavic Ksyrium Elite wheels for 4000 miles and they are still as straight as the day I bought them. The brake surfaces are starting to wear so will change in the next year. 115kg fully dressed is the weight limit. Magic wheels.

pblakeney

The Spiderman said:

It always seems strange to me that 85 kg is seen as heavy in the bike world.

I’m 6ft and run 40 miles a week and am lighter than most of my peer group.

It depends on whether your are someone who cycles, or a "cyclist".
The serious cyclists looks for every gain on power to weight ratio and it's easier to lose weight than gain power if you are a bit overweight. I am saying this as an 85kgs rider who would much rather be under 80kgs the next time I go to the Pyrenees/Alps/Dolomites. 😉 Not sure that I'm willing to sacrifice the goodies and drink to get there though. 🤣

First.Aspect

Hunt give excellent customer service, if that's any help. Component wise they are much of a muchness with any other wheel builder out there. Personally I've never been convinced that "hand built" is better when it comes to wheels (any Mavics I've owned suggest not, because they are laced by machine and I've not managed to get one out of true as yet - I do hope they survive...) but at least with a specialist or the likes of Hunt it's not too hard to get replacement spokes and bearings etc.

thecycleclinic

Haha. im 86kg now. Too much cake (actually not too much cake,I wat the right ammount of cake alot) and I dont consider my self heavy. Why do riders my weight think themselves heavy?

First.Aspect

thecycleclinic said:

Haha. im 86kg now. Too much cake (actually not too much cake,I wat the right ammount of cake alot) and I dont consider my self heavy. Why do riders my weight think themselves heavy?

For the same reason a size "M" fits someone around 70kg and XL is for someone around 90kg and a 39x23 was considered a gear for weak climbers for a generation.

If it is any consolation, when I moved back to the UK from Canada I went immediately from a "M" to an "L" and whenever I go back to visit I'm a slim "M" again. So if you go on a US forum, no one under 90kg will be considered "heavy".