cfforum

Oz and I were coming back on Salmon Falls on Saturday morning - the ride had been nothing terribly challenging - just up GVR - > Lotus -> Gold Hill -> Hwy 49-> Salmon Falls Home.

Anyways - on the little climb out from the Store at the Top of Salmon Falls, I tore (yes tore) a spoke out of my rear wheel on the drive side. Looks like someone used a can opener on the rim.

This has happened before on my last bike - so I'm skittish about finding a set of wheels that will handle my size, etc... One shop is telling me Mavic Ksyrium Elites, and I'm also hearing Neuvation Cycling has a wheel that's built for me.

Not a ton of info on the manufacturers' websites in many cases about what their wheels are rated for. Williams Cycling posts weight limits but most other manufacturers are not so forthcoming.

Any ideas? I know most of you are smaller than I am but I'm hoping people have some thoughts that I can use to continue my research. I don't know that I want to spend $600 - > $1500 on wheels when I only spent $800 for the bike!

Davey, you might look at having a set of wheels built up for you. A higher spoke count will yield a stronger wheel, and it's often cheaper than buying a ready made wheel. Just a matter of finding someone that knows how to build a quality wheel.

Anyway, that's my best suggestion.

Sorry I haven't been out so much recently. Been having a drive train problem on my bike. It's at the shop now, but I won't see it back for a week or two. Getting a new cassette, chain, and replacing the cables and housing. That should fix it. In the meantime, I dug out my old Bianchi to ride. Cleaned it up today (it was covered in sawdust), lubed up the chain, and fine tuned the derailler. Going to give it a test ride tomorrow. Glad I hung on to it now.

I was digging around online this morning and came across this wheel builder: http://www.youngwheels.com/index.html

He looks to have a pretty good rep. Might be worth a phone call.

Mavic Open Pro rims with 36 spokes (as opposed to the 32 spoke version) and Ultegra Hubs. Guys much bigger than you ride these because they are bullet/bomb proof and nearly impossible to destroy.

I rode a set of the 32 spokes version for 2 years and never had a problem with them...of course I'm a 160 pounder. I did loan the front wheel to Curtis and over the course of a week or so he was able to brake his 3rd frame...but not that wheel!

Seriously, it will hold up without a doubt. Bonus: I bought my set from Performance Bicycle on sale for $209.00 out the door. They also use the most common spoke available on the planet so you can replacement spokes at any cycling shop.

Another benefit: with 36 spokes, you can break a spoke or two and still get home.

Those are bomb proof! I haven't heard of a wheel with that many spokes for about 10 years! .

I know what you mean though Dave. I've had nothing but troubles with my Bontragers. Luckily...Trek has warrantied them everytime. Probably more because of my connections in the industry though, vs. loyalty to a customer. I've been through three rear wheels in the last year. Incredibly, my old Rolf wheels had just as few spokes and were bomb proof. For the record I'm 6'5" 190-195 lbs. so I'm no lightweight.

Rich Maile, the mechanic at Kinetic Cycles is supposed to be the best wheel guy around. People come from all over the valley to have him work on their $2,000 to $3,000+ wheelsets. If you're ever in Elk Grove (10 minutes from downtown) you might want to check him out.

I would caution against the attitude of more spokes = stronger wheels. When 28/32 or 36 spoke wheels were the norm, I'd break spokes all the time. Finally, sounds like you should stay away from a carbon wheelset.

Mark

Rich built my new Specialized S-Works Tarmac SL and I'm very pleased with his work. And I believe some of his best work was prior to even picking up a wrench.

In my case, I didn't buy a pre-built bike. I bought a frameset, a build kit, and then made a few specific parts swaps for things like handlebars, a different stem, etc.

Before buying I spoke with Rich at length about the parts I was considering; based on his insights I modified a few of my purchasing choices. Those choices we generally away from the currently popular items that we are all "Jones'n" for.

Rich wasn't selling anything, just giving good advice based on long, hard experience. I elected to heed his advice at every turn and I am extermely pleased with the results.

What I appreciate about Rich is that he doesn't have an opinion as far as most opinions go; by that I mean he isn't trying to influence your decision - he simply provides specific, detailed accounts of his experience with respect to the issue in question. He's doesn't lead you anywhere, but most of the time it seemed very obvious to me what the correct choice for me would be based on his input.

It's rather refreshing, like getting a high-speed download of decades of real world experience in a concise, easy to understand dialog.

Mark is probably correct about more spokes not necessarily being more bomb-proof; but I would say that you're more likely to be able to continue your ride with a broken spoke if you start with 36 of them.

If you're still flip-floppin on which way to go, I recommend you go see Rich at Kinetics in Elk Grove next time you're down that way...it'll be worth your time.

Thanks everyone for the ideas. The Bontragers I have on my bike right now seem fine but I realize they are only temporary now. Luckily I had the sense to buy these off Curtis so that I don't have to panic and buy the first set of wheels that come along just so I can go out and ride tomorrow.

A friend of mine is 6'5" and north of 230 and he uses Zipp Clydesdales but I don't want to pay $2100 for wheels on a $799.00 frame.

Eventually I will be replacing the frame/bike so I am seeing this as a strategic purchase - i.e. I am now buying the wheels that will go on my NEXT bike too.

I will give some consideration to Kinetic - it's just that I never get out that way so it's a major deal for me to go over there. Hard to find the time it seems.

Similar words came out of my mouth not too long ago, something like: I'm buying these Mavic Ksyrium ES wheels now because I think I'll need to upgrade my bike in the not too distant future. The "not too distant future" was the low spot along the top of my garage door opening where my SUV passed under, but my bicycle mounted on the roof top rack did not. This precipitated an immediate change of riding plans and the purchase of a new bicycle.

I highly recommend it to those of you, like myself, who would never REALLY consider buying a new bike as long as the old one was still rolling. I'm much faster now and a lot poorer. The tradeoff seems most justifiable while wrestling with severe inclines or attempting to hang on to a healthy and fit 23 year old recently returned from training in Europe.