Durability of lightweight rims/wheels

[MildlyWild]

How durable are lightweight wheels / rims really? Something like ZTR355's or Olympics built with Revolution spokes when used for hard XC riding. Should they be kept for racing only or do they stand up to constant riding?

 

Your experience?

[Weight Weenie]

Think that would depend on your weight, riding style and what you see as 'hard xc'

 

I use a set of ztr 355's for training (I bought it 2nd hand and so far they've only needed a spoke replacement)as I have a podium mmx set for racing, but the 355/olympic will be fine for xco/xcm racing, riding and training for most if you ride the normal xc and marathon events.

 

The BST design on the rims are great as well.

[MildlyWild]

Think that would depend on your weight, riding style and what you see as 'hard xc'

 

 

The BST design on the rims are great as well.

 

Lean 78kg's, ride a bit harder than most. OK to use Revolution spokes or rather DT Swiss Comp?

 

BST design?

[Weight Weenie]

Bead Socket Technology -Rim cavity that helps the tyre stay seated when running it tubeless

 

With that weight your more than fine, the weight limit is 77kg on the podium mmx

 

WRT spokes- Im not knowledgeable there, sure someone else can help

[Johan Bornman]

Durability, by my definition, is the wheel's ability to carry your weight over a long distance without failure. Strength on the other hand, would be the wheel's ability to carry a great weight over an unspecified but short distance.

 

In wheels, durability is required in three areas. The hub, that must endure whatever it gets, such as water etc, and do that over a long period of time.

 

The spokes, that are subject to cyclical strain with each and every revolution and the rim, that's subject to cyclical strain as well.

 

A well build wheel with X set of components and a poorly build wheel with the same components, only the durability will differ, not the strength.

 

 

In a well-built wheel with the right number of spokes for the job, the spokes have just about infinite life. Here the issue of Revolution vs double-butted is the inverse of what most people believe. The thinner Revolution spokes last longer than their thicker counterparts.

 

The least durable item on a well-built wheel is the rim. It's life is determined by the material and how much of it there is, as well as a couple of design issues. It cannot be improved by the wheelbuilder and only in very exptreme cases, be reduced by the wheelbuilder. It is what it is. It has a finite life for any given wheel and thus every revolution it makes, is one less in the bank.

 

Rim life is roughly proportional to rim weight, given similar profiles/designs. The more meat in there, the longer it will last.

 

As for riding style. It has almost zero effect on wheel life. Other than bottoming out and bending the rim, there is nothing you can do on a bike to reduce spoke or rim life other than just ride a lot. So this notion of "I'm an aggrerssive rider" is moot. Aggressive riders can at most, apply extra torque upon accellerating and extra upon braking to the wheel. This, compared to the weight the wheel has to carry, has a very, very small effect on the wheel's life.

 

Therefore, the OP's question is a bit ambiguous. The fact that you're racing or training does't matter to the wheel, all that matters is how much riding you're doing. If he wants to spare the wheel, he should just ride less.

 

In his scenario, the Revolutions will last the life of several rims. The rim is the weak point in the equation.

[chris_w_65]

Can you build me one like this JB?

[Johan Bornman]

Can you build me one like this JB?

 

Of course, but only if you send me one of these to begin with.

 

 

I'll supply the bandsaw.

[chris_w_65]

Of course, but only if you send me one of these to begin with.

 

 

I'll supply the bandsaw.

 

 

I knew you could build anything. Will it carry your famous lifetime warranty?

[Johan Bornman]

 

I knew you could build anything. Will it carry your famous lifetime warranty?

 

Of course. I gaurantee that for the life of that wheel, it will turn heads. I also gaurantee you that lots of old toppies will come up to you and tell you about the Citroen they once had way back in the 70s, with such a steering wheel.

 

 

Edited November 2, 2010 by Johan Bornman

[chris_w_65]

Of course. I gaurantee that for the life of that wheel, it will turn heads. I also gaurantee you that lots of old toppies will come up to you and tell you about the Citroen they once had way back in the 70s, with such a steering wheel.

 

 

 

Can you build this for the rear? Warranty?

 

I would prefer it in an 80 aero so it can match the single spoke carbon front wheel

Edited November 2, 2010 by chris_w_65

[MildlyWild]

Thanks Johan - thorough answer. I don't mind replacing the odd rim once in a while, so ZTR Crest here I come.