Rider Weight & Spoke Count

[Bodhi]

Legends, howzit,

 

Just had the good fortune of acquiring my first road bike. I have, to date, riden my MTB exclusively, so this is my first time on this type of bike.

 

Upon taking the bike for a checkup, the guys told me that for a rider my weight (100kg's - but falling) I would need to change the wheels to ones with a higher spoke count, lest they start snapping mid-ride (I think they're currently at about 20). First I've heard about this.

 

They said the odds are it won't happen, but I'm doing the Bela Bela in 3 weeks and last thing I need is to walk 20kms of the bike leg.

 

I certainly trust the guys who gave the advice, and we even agreed to leave the wheels as is, and take a chance.

 

But I'm a little concerned - should I replace the wheels before the tri?

 

Would really appreciate any guidance.

 

Much thanks,

B.

['Dale]

What wheels are you using currently?

Spoke count, especially rear?

 

 

[Bodhi]

Apologies, if I go by the Specialized spec sheet (it's a 2012 Specialzed Roubaix Elite), they are Fulcrum Racing 6 wheels, and I believe the rear spoke count is 24, and front 20.

Edited August 3, 2013 by Bodhi

[Eldron]

First off youre gonna have to tell us which wheels they are - hub/nipple/spoke design has an impact on strength versus spoke count.

 

Also tri has a greater tolerance for lower spoke counts because the emphasis is on smooth pedal stroke rather than uhpill surges, accelerations to form breakaways and sprints associated with road racing.

 

From a practical point of view - I've ridden a 16/20 spoke config on my road bike for about 20,000km without a problem but they are not run of the mill wheels. I'm 80kg.

 

I reckon for tri you'll be fine. If you enjoy sprinting and hectic accelerations in road racing then maybe more spokes. Let us know what wheel it is and we'll give our hubxpert opinions.

[Bodhi]

First off youre gonna have to tell us which wheels they are - hub/nipple/spoke design has an impact on strength versus spoke count.

 

Also tri has a greater tolerance for lower spoke counts because the emphasis is on smooth pedal stroke rather than uhpill surges, accelerations to form breakaways and sprints associated with road racing.

 

From a practical point of view - I've ridden a 16/20 spoke config on my road bike for about 20,000km without a problem but they are not run of the mill wheels. I'm 80kg.

 

I reckon for tri you'll be fine. If you enjoy sprinting and hectic accelerations in road racing then maybe more spokes. Let us know what wheel it is and we'll give our hubxpert opinions.

 

Thanks Eldron : if I go by the Specialized spec sheet (it's a 2012 Specialzed Roubaix Elite), they are Fulcrum Racing 6 wheels, and I believe the rear spoke count is 24, and front 20.

Edited August 3, 2013 by Bodhi

[Eldron]

Ok so the racing 6 is a 20/24 traditional J-bend spoke wheel. I reckon you'll have zero issues in tri.

 

If you decide to become a Cavendish style road sprinter I reckon they'll just have reduced life - no risk of catastrophic failure.

['Dale]

Ok so the racing 6 is a 20/24 traditional J-bend spoke wheel. I reckon you'll have zero issues in tri.

 

If you decide to become a Cavendish style road sprinter I reckon they'll just have reduced life - no risk of catastrophic failure.

 

Yip

[Bodhi]

 

 

Yip

 

That's great news, thanks lads. New wheels weren't exactly in the budget, if you know what I mean.

 

The guys who are servicing the bike did however suggest a small modification where they solder something on the spokes, or solder them where they cross or something, to make them stronger.

 

Heard about this?

[Eldron]

 

 

That's great news, thanks lads. New wheels weren't exactly in the budget, if you know what I mean.

 

The guys who are servicing the bike did however suggest a small modification where they solder something on the spokes, or solder them where they cross or something, to make them stronger.

 

Heard about this?

 

Ahh the shop you're using must be proper old school :-)

 

I've seen the tie'n'solder method but I'm not a big fan. Solder isn't that strong - not strong enough to stop spokes moving - especially when you're soldering onto a super smooth and oxidised surface like stainless steel.

 

In my opinion anyway - I'm not a soldering expert!

[Chro Mo]

Soldering will not make your wheel stronger. Been there, done that - threw away the crappy rims.

 

You have quality rims, so you should be fine.

[Bodhi]

lol, I think they are old school if their age is anything to go by.

 

Thanks for the input guys.

['Dale]

lol, I think they are old school if their age is anything to go by.

 

Thanks for the input guys.

 

Good luck with the weight loss.

It'll help.

 

[Bodhi]

 

 

Good luck with the weight loss.

It'll help.

 

Indeed. That's the most important at the moment. Can't (or wouldn't want to) do the 70.3 at 100kg's!

[Tiny K]

From a guy who currently weighs around 96Kg's, those wheels should be fine. As Eldron said, it's only when you start shifting weight from left to right (standing and climbing hard kinda thing) that you have the potential to break things. That being said, I ride a set of Rs10's (Shimano) and have had no issues with them.

 

Tri is more flattish and straight anyway, right?!

[Butterbean]

I'm over 100kg with kit. I ride shimano rs 20 wheels with a 16/20 spoke count. They do need to be tried when I hit some of the bumps on these crappy roads I train on during the week, but climbing and sprinting they feel fine.

 

Have only broken a spoke after being forced into a pothole. The crap part of low count wheels is the rim then goes properly noodely and you crawl home. But you get home.

[Breezer]

A friend of mine rides exactly the same setup as you. He have done about 10 000km on those Fulkrums without a problem and he weigh 95kg on a good day.(ex SA wrestler so his legs are real powerful ). He do swop his wheels for Easton ea90 for a race and have broken a few spokes on those(no weight limit on eastons).