Road wheels for fatties

[eccc whippet]

Been doing some research into wheels for fat boys (over 95 kg) it seems the weight limit on wheels is not for the rider weight but the entire weight loaded on the wheels.

 

once you exceed 95 kg they caution you check the weight including your bike...gear and other bits and pieces you carry.

 

I am told by one of the wheel suppliers in Italy that you will experience problems like cracks in the rim...breaking spokes and even spoke working loose while riding if over the weight limit.

 

Now to find a suitable set of wheels.

 

from my limited knowledge about wheels i have had to rely on info found on the net and speaking to lbs mechanics and wheel builders...etc...any advise from people in the know would be greatly appreciated...please feel free to correct any info i post on this subject if not correct.

 

not suitable for heavy riders...

 

fulcrum wheels limited to 109 kg all included...except the red series.

american classics limited to 107 kg...once again tooo heavy.

easton wheels...no weight limit but advised to stay away from them.

 

suitable wheels...

 

campagnolo...no weight restriction and highly recommended but very expensive.

mavic ksyrium elite...120 kg highly recommended bit pricey at just under R 9000. 

shimano wheels...no weight limit and also highly recommended and reasonably priced.

[IceCreamMan]

together with my bike and kit I weigh anywhere between 98 and 105 depending on the time of year etc etc etc....

 

I have a set of Mavics Krsium equip for training and Krysium elite for racing/ triathlon and both have been superlative in terms of durability and reliability. I guess my weight is more likely to break them than say a 70kg man but I check them regularly. I could find no prescribed weight limit to them prior to purchase.

 

whatever u decide, do it sooner rather than later as the rand decline is going to work its weigh into the rand price..

[eccc whippet]

 

http://www.mavic.com/wheels-road-triathlon-ksyrium-elite

 

 

 

 

 

INTENDED USE

ASTM CATEGORY 2 : road and offroad with jumps less than 15cm

For a longer longevity of the wheel, Mavic recommends that the total weight supported by the wheels doesn't exceed 120kg, bike included

[Prince]

Campagnolo are expensive but well worth the investment. Bullet proof wheels!!

[BDF]

Try and get a set of old Mavic Ksyrium Racers. IMHO they are indestructible!  

[eccc whippet]

A question...If i have an 11 speed ultegra cassette do i have to get a wheel that is for 11 spd or will the 11 spd work on a 10 speed hub with an adapter?

[David Marshall]

A question...If i have an 11 speed ultegra cassette do i have to get a wheel that is for 11 spd or will the 11 spd work on a 10 speed hub with an adapter?

You need an 11 speed free body to which you can then add a spacer if you want to ride 10 speed.  Can't go the other way.  As for wheels get yourself some purpose built (hand assembled).  That way you can pick exactly what you want.  

 

All the manufacturers you have mentioned make class wheels.  Over time they have all had some "developments" that have missed the mark so opinions tend to be subjective.

[eccc whippet]

You need an 11 speed free body to which you can then add a spacer if you want to ride 10 speed.  Can't go the other way.  As for wheels get yourself some purpose built (hand assembled).  That way you can pick exactly what you want.  

 

All the manufacturers you have mentioned make class wheels.  Over time they have all had some "developments" that have missed the mark so opinions tend to be subjective.

as i mentioned i am too in experienced to make a selection and seeking advise...

 

best thing would be to loose 30 kg and become a race snake...unfortunately that isnt gona happen over night...maybe never.

[quintonb]

Simple solution.

 

Mavic Open Pro (36 Hole) Built on standard Shamano/Campag hubs (Depending on what groupset you running), and good quality double butted spokes.

 

I like Mavic rims so I am a little biased. But any good quality 36 hole rim will work just as well.

[Paul Ruinaard]

As a fellow fat boy who has pretzeled many rims on his MTB pursuing weight savings and as a roadie prior to that I have tried to find ways around this problem before - and I have come to the same conclusion - build for strength rather than weight savings - you never want a rim or a wheel to collapse under you.

 

And you always need the extra strength when you have an extreme situation i.e. hit a pothole etc - or are at speed.

 

So the consequences of a failure are amplified, possibly deadly.

 

Looked at like this the benefits outweigh the risks.

 

Having said that some ideas/observations/comments, some of which you have already mentioned or have been mentioned:

 

1.) Campagnolo are bulletproof. Light and very strong.  i have never managed to break a set of Campag rims - and I have run the climb dynamic Nucleons (okay I was about 95 kgs) and went through some very large potholes on rides.

 

2.) Phone Ruan Deysel of Spokeworks - give him a budget and tell him what you want and let him build you some custom hoops. You will not regret it and you can get something that matches your requirements. And that will last forever.

 

There is so much more to it than meets the eye - spoke tensions etc , that alter the strength of the wheelset and the like.

 

You are in the classic conundrum - weight, strength price - pick two.

 

3.) As the man said - a set of 32H Mavic Open Pro's or the older CXP 33 rim spoked by a wheelbuilder on to a good set of hubs will ensure years of great riding (DT Swiss spokes, double Butted etc)

 

I am scared of AMC's and the like but i will vouch for the above as I have been anything from 90 kg's to 118 kgs when riding them and have never had to have them trued.