[Rob_Anderson_UK]

Hi folks,

Looking for some recommendations please for a new set of wheels for my 8 year old Bianchi via Nirone. I do about 750 miles a year mainly on gently undulating Bedfordshire country roads, but each September take part in a c.500 mile relay charity ride in more challenging mountainous regions of France – this year each team member will probably do 130 miles and 8,000 ft of ascents over 3 days.

A spoke recently went on the rear wheel and the hub is getting noisier so am considering upgrading before I go away, but have limited budget – around £200-£300. Some of the sets I’ve looked at (e.g. Fulcrum race 7 LG) suggest max rider weight of under 100kg (which sadly I‘m not – add at least 10% to that!) 

All suggestions welcome – especially from similarly weighty but enthusiastic riders! Thanks.

Topic

[Anonymous]

My gigantex 38mm carbon tubs

My gigantex 38mm carbon tubs 24/20 took my then 107kg no bother.

Shit wheels are shit wheels, Mavic factory wheels are rated at 120kg.

I’ve ridden 32 spoke handbuilt wheels and did a few 3 mile rides with 180kg on board.

[700c]

A quick google shows campag
A quick google shows campag zonda for £300. Ok they recommend a weight limit of 109kg but they are seriously strong and you’ll appreciate the stiffness. I’m a bigger rider, (have been up to 100kg), over potholes, in winter etc and and have never broken a spoke or needed to true in 7 years. Been through several frames though in this time. On my second set now. The latest (C17) allows for larger tyres therefore less stress on the wheel.

Proprietary spoke and rim means they will be redundant when the rims wear out, but this will not be for very many years at your rate of use.

[matthewn5]

henryb wrote:

Anyone have any experience with these? – “Hunt 4 Season Aero Wheelset” ttps://www.huntbikewheels.com/collections/road-wheels/products/hunt-4season-aero-road-wheelset-1589g-28deep-22wide#techspecs – the rider weight limit is 115kg so they might suit the OP.

I’m nowhere near 115kg, but nevertheless looking at these as an upgrade to stock wheels on my Genesis Equilibrium 20

I had a set of those, they have a fantastically, manically noisy freehub. Seemed solid and used normal J-bend spokes. Weighed in at 1690g with a Campag freehub on my scales. Tubeless compatible.

[sizbut]

Read the caveats Hunt put in

Read the caveats Hunt put in place for over 95kg and the claim for up to 115kg gets a bit squirrelly. 

Mr. Hunt (strange coincidence) of DCR on the other hand address rider weight pretty straight up and in fact has good articles on many aspects of wheels. Also doesn’t shy away for making it clear that his is a pricey option because he only does quality kit but at least that’s honest compared to 115kg = 95kg. 

[henryb]

Anyone have any experience

Anyone have any experience with these? – “Hunt 4 Season Aero Wheelset” ttps://www.huntbikewheels.com/collections/road-wheels/products/hunt-4season-aero-road-wheelset-1589g-28deep-22wide#techspecs – the rider weight limit is 115kg so they might suit the OP.

I’m nowhere near 115kg, but nevertheless looking at these as an upgrade to stock wheels on my Genesis Equilibrium 20 

 

[cjwebb]

Richbeck wrote:

Speak to David at DCR wheels

+1 for DCR. David is a real expert and all round top guy

more info here: https://dcrwheels.co.uk/custom-wheelsets/wheelset-suggestions-2/

Lifetime warranty for spoke replacement and retrues.

[Strathbean]

American classic Hurricane.

American classic Hurricane. if you can still find a set, they are very tough wheels and tubeless ready if that is your bag. This from a 100kg rider who has destroyed plenty of less robust wheels.

In my experience aksiums are ok for general use and the price is hard to beat, but treat them as consumable items when they wear out, they are usually not worth fixing unless you are a pretty handy wheelbuilder with a lot of free time, especially when used through the winter.

[Simon E]

cyclesteffer wrote:

Mavic Aksiums. Cheap, bombproof hubs, and last until you burn the rims out. You will not break the spokes on them.

The mechanics in my LBS may disagree. They are decent value for factory wheels but with just 20 spokes front & rear they really aren’t a good option for the OP.

[Richbeck]

Speak to David at DCR wheels

Speak to David at DCR wheels

 

[sizbut]

cyclesteffer wrote:

Mavic Aksiums. Cheap, bombproof hubs, and last until you burn the rims out. You will not break the spokes on them.

Sorry but beg to differ. I’ve broken spokes on two. And when they do break, you enter a world of hunting for which particular year’s model of Aksium it is as the spokes differ between different vintages.

Don’t get me wrong, whilst they were true they were superb. If I were under 90kg I would have no hesitation in riding and recommending them as a great way to transform any bike.  

Since I’m not a lightweight (try nearer 105kg);

• My sporting bike (Tripster ATR, no rack, saddle pack only) runs on 32-hole ztr Alpha 400 rims on Hope hubs and has been good for two years now. 
   
• My touring bike (Tripster ATR with rack and panniers, etc, etc) uses 36-hole Mavic A719 rims on Deore XT hubs.  Only rolling on those for a few months so touch wood but confident so far with the way they’ve handle rough tracks, canal tow paths etc. when, with luggage included, the bike has at times been carrying a 150kg load. (and if the worst happens much more chance the LBS will have replacement spokes that will fit unlike with the Aksium).

 

[kil0ran]

If you can stretch to the

If you can stretch to the them a set of Hunt Superdura. Alternatively if you’re not over 115kgs then pretty much all of the Hunt range is OK for you.

[Anonymous]

Another vote for Mavic

Another vote for Mavic Aksiums, they are cheap, tough and surprisingly good performers.

[Stef Marazzi]

Mavic Aksiums. Cheap,

Mavic Aksiums. Cheap, bombproof hubs, and last until you burn the rims out. You will not break the spokes on them.

[Fatbloke]

I’m heavier than you and I’ve

I’m heavier than you and I’ve never had a problem with Mavic Aksiums over many miles of commuting.

[CXR94Di2]

I weigh 95KG so no

I weigh 95KG so no lightweight, buy Hunt Wheels, they have been fine over 1000s of miles

For added strength buy 32 spoke triple laced on the rear.  28 spoke up front

[Author]

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