PhilipV Posted February 8, 2016 Posted February 8, 2016 Lots of good advice here. I'm 1,86 and ride a XL 27.5. I was borderline between L and XL, and I'm really glad I went for the farm gate size. Wheel size is determined by your riding style and what type of riding you want to do.
JuddMan Posted February 8, 2016 Author Posted February 8, 2016 You have to consider budgeting for a custom made wheelset as well. Something like hope hubs with flow-x rims.Jeez like, are you serious that standard wheels are not quality enough to handle weight upwards of 100kg? You telling me that if I dont get custom wheels, I would break/damage standard wheels? I know I'm big but I seriously don't think standard wheels are made from jelly...
scotty Posted February 8, 2016 Posted February 8, 2016 For heavier riders standard wheels like Alex wheels wont hold out, been there, paid the price.
Christofison Posted February 8, 2016 Posted February 8, 2016 Jeez like, are you serious that standard wheels are not quality enough to handle weight upwards of 100kg? You telling me that if I dont get custom wheels, I would break/damage standard wheels? I know I'm big but I seriously don't think standard wheels are made from jelly...About a year ago I weighed 85kg. Standard Alex wheels couldn't even hold up that weight. Snapping spokes every other week, spending a lot of money getting my wheels trued all the time. Trust me, it's not fun breaking a spoke and having to redo the tubeless conversion everytime the thread breaks off inside the nipple.
Dubbin Posted February 8, 2016 Posted February 8, 2016 Jeez like, are you serious that standard wheels are not quality enough to handle weight upwards of 100kg? You telling me that if I dont get custom wheels, I would break/damage standard wheels? I know I'm big but I seriously don't think standard wheels are made from jelly...Standard wheelsets normally have maks. weight rating of 80 -85 kg. Some Mavic's go up to 105 kg's. Sorry, I know that's not what you want to hear and you probably can take a chance first and see how it goes. With me at 113kg's it normally takes maks. 2-3 months before metal fatigue sets in and I start breaking spokes or developing wobbles. After the third time my wife had to come fetch me with due to broken spokes I had a hope/flow wheelset built. Since that it has been more than two years problem free.
PhilipV Posted February 8, 2016 Posted February 8, 2016 It depends. The giant wheelsets are solid, the Scott branded Alex wheels are a bit soft, and a big (your size) mate of mine had a lot of issues with roval wheels. Sadly you fall above the norm for bicycle design.
JuddMan Posted February 9, 2016 Author Posted February 9, 2016 I reckon that manufacturers should start increasing the quality of their wheels and hubs then. It's like buying a car, but they have plastic wheels on. It's rubbish if you ask me. And I know I am rather hefty, that is not what I am complaining about. What I am complaining about is the fact that the average South African male (1.8m and 85kg) has to double his budget, just because 'stock wheels' are not strong enough. Absolutely pathetic.
scotty Posted February 9, 2016 Posted February 9, 2016 I reckon that manufacturers should start increasing the quality of their wheels and hubs then. It's like buying a car, but they have plastic wheels on. It's rubbish if you ask me. And I know I am rather hefty, that is not what I am complaining about. What I am complaining about is the fact that the average South African male (1.8m and 85kg) has to double his budget, just because 'stock wheels' are not strong enough. Absolutely pathetic.Light-strong-cheap, the 3 don't mix.
JuddMan Posted February 9, 2016 Author Posted February 9, 2016 Light-strong-cheap, the 3 don't mix. So what would the trade off be? Heavier wheel sets?
PhilipV Posted February 9, 2016 Posted February 9, 2016 So what would the trade off be? Heavier wheel sets?Indeed. Or a lot more expensive.
PhilipV Posted February 9, 2016 Posted February 9, 2016 I reckon that manufacturers should start increasing the quality of their wheels and hubs then. It's like buying a car, but they have plastic wheels on. It's rubbish if you ask me. And I know I am rather hefty, that is not what I am complaining about. What I am complaining about is the fact that the average South African male (1.8m and 85kg) has to double his budget, just because 'stock wheels' are not strong enough. Absolutely pathetic.Remember, the guy manufacturing and speccing the bike does probably not have the average Afrikaner in his frame of reference. I honestly believe that L and XL bikes need to be specced with stronger wheels, especially at higher price points. But then economies of scale fall away. Buy whatever bike you like, and ride it till the wheels start popping spokes. You might be pleasantly surprised. . My dad weighs 125 and has been on the same wheels for 5 years on his entry level Merida. He just doesn't ride as hard as I do, so his relatively weaker wheels are holding up.
Captain Fastbastard Mayhem Posted February 9, 2016 Posted February 9, 2016 Remember, the guy manufacturing and speccing the bike does probably not have the average Afrikaner in his frame of reference.I honestly believe that L and XL bikes need to be specced with stronger wheels, especially at higher price points. But then economies of scale fall away. Buy whatever bike you like, and ride it till the wheels start popping spokes. You might be pleasantly surprised.. My dad weighs 125 and has been on the same wheels for 5 years on his entry level Merida. He just doesn't ride as hard as I do, so his relatively weaker wheels are holding up.Adding to this - even a spritely Martin Hattingh (at 5.2kg) has pretzeled a set of Syncros wheels, landing a jump sliiiiightly off line. So it's not only the heavies that have a problem.
JuddMan Posted February 9, 2016 Author Posted February 9, 2016 Remember, the guy manufacturing and speccing the bike does probably not have the average Afrikaner in his frame of reference.I honestly believe that L and XL bikes need to be specced with stronger wheels, especially at higher price points. But then economies of scale fall away. Very true! That is a very well made point and I really hope the manufacturers start doing that. Buy whatever bike you like, and ride it till the wheels start popping spokes. You might be pleasantly surprised.. My dad weighs 125 and has been on the same wheels for 5 years on his entry level Merida. He just doesn't ride as hard as I do, so his relatively weaker wheels are holding up. Look, I am a complete novice (so much so I don't even have a bike yet) but from the sound of things stronger wheels are needed just based on weight? If I am an amateur, riding basic trails and the odd single track, not hitting jumps or drops at all, would stronger wheels still be needed or would the standard wheel sets then be OK?
PhilipV Posted February 9, 2016 Posted February 9, 2016 Very true! That is a very well made point and I really hope the manufacturers start doing that. Look, I am a complete novice (so much so I don't even have a bike yet) but from the sound of things stronger wheels are needed just based on weight? If I am an amateur, riding basic trails and the odd single track, not hitting jumps or drops at all, would stronger wheels still be needed or would the standard wheel sets then be OK?Unless you buy weight weeney wheels off the bat, You may not need stronger wheels yet. Ride it until you break it, and then replace. Especially as you won't go crazy fast into rock gardens etc.
JuddMan Posted February 10, 2016 Author Posted February 10, 2016 Unless you buy weight weeney wheels off the bat, You may not need stronger wheels yet. Ride it until you break it, and then replace. Especially as you won't go crazy fast into rock gardens etc. Thanks for the advice.
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