Wheel enquiry

[Ferdi Scheepers]

Hi All. 
Please assist if you can. I need to buy a wheelset for my Scott road bike that will work for my weight of 130kg. Any suggestions please. 

[Zebra]

Am no expert, but having done some extended touring with heavy-ish loads, a spoke-count of 32 - 36 is recommended over the ‘usual’ 28 in the rear wheel.

In the old days, there was also the option of using non-butted spokes for additional strength (citation/confirmation needed!), but POSSIBLY start by looking at a higher spoke-count REAR wheel - will let others with more experience chime in.

Cheers

Chris

[nick_the_wheelbuilder]

Hi Ferdi,

I'd be happy to assist with some options.

I'll message you.

[nick_the_wheelbuilder]

Today's modern carbon rims are incredibly strong - for example, the 50mm deep rims in the pictures are rated for a max system weight of 160kg, yet each rim weighs only 335g and is ASTM 3 rated.

This is with 24 spokes.

Gone are the days where we need 36 spokes and heavy alloy rims for bigger riders.


 

[Custombicyclewheels]

On 11/25/2025 at 7:46 PM, Zebra said:

Am no expert, but having done some extended touring with heavy-ish loads, a spoke-count of 32 - 36 is recommended over the ‘usual’ 28 in the rear wheel.

In the old days, there was also the option of using non-butted spokes for additional strength (citation/confirmation needed!), but POSSIBLY start by looking at a higher spoke-count REAR wheel - will let others with more experience chime in.

Cheers

Chris

Gone are the days where you need a 40,36 or 32hole wheel for someone of weight.Provided the wheel is build probably.Ive build many 28 and 24 hole wheels for customers that's are quite heavy.Ive also build quite a few Track wheels that's are 24 hole and back in the day they believed that those needed to be 36 or 32 hole.

[David Marshall]

I wouldn't throw caution to the wind and generalise.  Every case is different and you need to assess the requirements as a whole.  

While I agree that you can put a big guy onto a 24 spoke carbon rim, you had better make sure that you have a quality rim and build to start with.  If you buy a R9999-00 carbon 24h disc wheelset online you are going to be sadly disappointed. 

In any event I would still build with the maximum number of spokes that the situation allows for.

Not everyone can afford top quality carbon rims so you may have to look at the aluminium alternatives.  Again, for big guys I would definitely go for maximum spokes and crosses. Ideally 36 holes as you can then get a 4 cross pattern.  Sadly these components are not freely available locally so you have to import.

What kills aluminium wheels is fatigue caused by the dynamic forces on the wheel.  You want to reduce this movement as much as possible and the best solution is double butted spokes and plenty of them.

 

[droo]

On 11/25/2025 at 7:46 PM, Zebra said:

Am no expert, but having done some extended touring with heavy-ish loads, a spoke-count of 32 - 36 is recommended over the ‘usual’ 28 in the rear wheel.

In the old days, there was also the option of using non-butted spokes for additional strength (citation/confirmation needed!), but POSSIBLY start by looking at a higher spoke-count REAR wheel - will let others with more experience chime in.

Cheers

Chris

Straight gauge spokes are not stronger. They are in fact guaranteed to break - either themselves or the rim.

[Headshot]

2 hours ago, David Marshall said:

I wouldn't throw caution to the wind and generalise.  Every case is different and you need to assess the requirements as a whole.  

While I agree that you can put a big guy onto a 24 spoke carbon rim, you had better make sure that you have a quality rim and build to start with.  If you buy a R9999-00 carbon 24h disc wheelset online you are going to be sadly disappointed. 

In any event I would still build with the maximum number of spokes that the situation allows for.

Not everyone can afford top quality carbon rims so you may have to look at the aluminium alternatives.  Again, for big guys I would definitely go for maximum spokes and crosses. Ideally 36 holes as you can then get a 4 cross pattern.  Sadly these components are not freely available locally so you have to import.

What kills aluminium wheels is fatigue caused by the dynamic forces on the wheel.  You want to reduce this movement as much as possible and the best solution is double butted spokes and plenty of them.

 

Good advice right here. I learned swiftly that big S speccing 28/24 spoke rims on an Enduro bike was a very bad idea. 32's front a back and no more worries.