Lightweight Tandem wheelset

[Jorrie]

Our combined weight is about 128kg, so my question is would a certified 130kg wheelset be strong enough for us on the tandem or am I missing something? I was looking to buy a light weight tandem wheelset, but nevermind the price tag I can't get hold of any? Rolf make nice tandem wheels, but apparently no one is importing it at the moment. Any one of you clever okes got some experience in this?

[Shell Belle]

Ok title is slightly misleading, actually looking for a racing wheelset for my tandem. Our combined weight is about 128kg, so my question is would a certified 130kg wheelset be stront enough for us on the tandem or am I missing something? I was looking to buy a light weight tandem wheelset, but nevermind the price tag I can't get hold of any? Rolf make nice tandem wheels, but apparently no one is importing it at the moment. Any one of you clever okes got some experience in this?

 

We have the Rolf Prima tandem wheelset on our tandem.  We are a combined weight of 150kg and the wheels are rock solid and handle perfectly.  I would not put wheels that are not tandem certified on a tandem.  The biggest problem with tandem wheels is that you need a wheel that can withstand the forces that go through the wheels when you brake.

 

If you are looking to import, have a look at these:

http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/za/en/rolf-prima-tandem-disc-clincher-road-wheelset/rp-prod148094

[Jorrie]

We have the Rolf Prima tandem wheelset on our tandem.  We are a combined weight of 150kg and the wheels are rock solid and handle perfectly.  I would not put wheels that are not tandem certified on a tandem.  The biggest problem with tandem wheels is that you need a wheel that can withstand the forces that go through the wheels when you brake.

 

If you are looking to import, have a look at these:

http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/za/en/rolf-prima-tandem-disc-clincher-road-wheelset/rp-prod148094

Thanks, do you know how much duties and taxes will be?

[Dubbin]

Ok title is slightly misleading, actually looking for a racing wheelset for my tandem. Our combined weight is about 128kg, so my question is would a certified 130kg wheelset be stront enough for us on the tandem or am I missing something? I was looking to buy a light weight tandem wheelset, but nevermind the price tag I can't get hold of any? Rolf make nice tandem wheels, but apparently no one is importing it at the moment. Any one of you clever okes got some experience in this?

Hi Jorrie

Good luck with finding a wheelset. Just check your spelling of strong. The current version is a bit confusing for us Afrikaans folk. It reflects how you feel about your existing wheelset.  

[Shell Belle]

Thanks, do you know how much duties and taxes will be?

I don't - there is a thread that is all about import duties etc when ordering from CRC.  Maybe have a look there?

[Shell Belle]

https://community.bikehub.co.za/topic/75887-import-duties-on-cycling-goods/page-1

[Jorrie]

Hi Jorrie

Good luck with finding a wheelset. Just check your spelling of strong. The current version is a bit confusing for us Afrikaans folk. It reflects how you feel about your existing wheelset.

 

thanks

[Pure Savage]

I am sure carbon 29er will be along shortly to show is sexy carbon rims on his tandem. 

 

Change the title to tandem wheels and you may get some help

[carbon29er]

Weight rating on wheels is a bit confusing.

 

It normally states a maximum per wheel but sometimes by wheelset. But a wheelset with a maximum of 130kg is very lightweight and can comfortably be ignored as not a good set of wheels.

 

Icycling, when he's not putting forward valid points about the lack of road racing in the Cape, is the distributor for Spinergy wheels that make a great tandem wheel in either disc or rim brake.

 

Easton had a great custom tandem build a few years ago when Omnico was the agent but I'm not sure they even exist as a brand in SA anymore.

 

Or you can do like I did and build a wickedly hot set of 55mm deep section carbon wheels that are good for well over 200kg. Disc only. I just used the DT Swiss hubs that came on the Cannondale.

 

If you import your own from CRC, expect to pay 15.4% VAT and a small clearance charge to the courier. If you want to ride the Argus on your new wheels use a courier not post.

[Pure Savage]

Weight rating on wheels is a bit confusing.

 

It normally states a maximum per wheel but sometimes by wheelset. But a wheelset with a maximum of 130kg is very lightweight and can comfortably be ignored as not a good set of wheels.

 

Icycling, when he's not putting forward valid points about the lack of road racing in the Cape, is the distributor for Spinergy wheels that make a great tandem wheel in either disc or rim brake.

 

Easton had a great custom tandem build a few years ago when Omnico was the agent but I'm not sure they even exist as a brand in SA anymore.

 

Or you can do like I did and build a wickedly hot set of 55mm deep section carbon wheels that are good for well over 200kg. Disc only. I just used the DT Swiss hubs that came on the Cannondale.

 

If you import your own from CRC, expect to pay 15.4% VAT and a small clearance charge to the courier. If you want to ride the Argus on your new wheels use a courier not post.

 

No picture?

[Long Wheel Base]

I got 2 sets of Rolf Prima Tandem and, Yes no one is importing them at the moment. It was a hubber about 3 years ago, He then sold the rights to Paragon and they kept it for a short while and then dumped it. Probably all the returns!!!! We are often breaking spokes on our tandem wheels and the wheels have been built using the specs that rolf sent us and a parktool spoke tensiometer. I also have a set of Rolf ralos on my commuter 26" MTB and the rims cracked badly after about 2 years. I know a lot of people rave about their rolfs but me personally wouldn't use them again.

Problem is my tandem doesn't have disk brake mounts on so I have to go rim brake. Would love some carbon wheels that I can use rim breaking.

[HairyLegs]

Our combined weight is about 128kg, so my question is would a certified 130kg wheelset be strong enough for us on the tandem or am I missing something? I was looking to buy a light weight tandem wheelset, but nevermind the price tag I can't get hold of any? Rolf make nice tandem wheels, but apparently no one is importing it at the moment. Any one of you clever okes got some experience in this?

Does your combined weight also include the bike and accessories on bike?

[Jorrie]

Does your combined weight also include the bike and accessories on bike?

No, combined rider weight is 130kg, bike is another 15kg so all in looking at 145-150kg

[Paul Ruinaard]

Custom builds the best option IMHO.  Speak to Runa Deysel at Spokeworks. He built me a set of Velocity rims with straight spokes on my existing 36 hole DT Swiss hubs. I am 100kg and wife is 70 so they are strong.

 

Recips was 36 Hole rims with decent spokes and decent tension.

 

There are so many reasons to do this:

• Wheel collapses at speed equals a big accident, so lightweight on tandems is very likely to be costly in the future just because of the forces involved and strength required. Lightweight with lots of strength comes at very high prices. Carbon rims are a no no for the reason below - cant dissipate the heat from braking and will delaminate. 

• With rim brakes tandems the continual braking  forces generate much more energy owing to the higher overall weight compares to a single bike and higher speeds  so they generate a lot more heat and therefore need to be a lot stronger and have much thicker rim braking surfcaes - just simply the amount of force required to stop the weight moving at the same speed. Tandems can pop tyres easily on long descents because the kinetic energy from braking creates massive heat A thicker rim wall can dissipate it more (I am assuming as you are talking Rolf you are on a rim braked tandem).

• Spoke tension equals strength - meaning you need stronger rim eyelets.

•  

  There are some good websites that go into this in detail do some googling.

  
   

 

 

 

 

 

[Paul Ruinaard]

No, combined rider weight is 130kg, bike is another 15kg so all in looking at 145-150kg

plus bottles and kit etc on the rider  - more like 160kgs

[carbon29er]

No picture?

Pictures on the Cannondale and Boasting thread. Don't want to over do it.

 

But I will add that I've migrated to Red22 Hydro brakes and a new 10-25 11 speed cassette with close ratio spacing. The beast is finally taking on an air I can be proud off having built.

 

I'll publish when it's finished and tested.