RacerMike

So I was cleaning up the bike today and noticed something I'd heard lots of talk about but thought would never happen to me; some stress cracks (pictures below) at the spoke holes on my rear wheel. Details:

- Me: 225lbs
- Wheels: Xero Lite XR-1s, 1200 miles (16h front, 20h rear)

I'm in for a new set of wheels now, but not sure what to do. I'd like to stay in the same ballpark for weight, but if I could avoid this from happening to me that would be just fantastic. I've emailed Mike Garcia to see what he has in his arsenal to offer, but I'll need something in the meantime that I can also use as a spare wheelset.

Is custom the way to go or would I be just as well served buying a manufactured wheel?

Two images below as attachments of one spoke, but the rest are similar.

Thanks,

Mike

cuda2k

XR-1's are what, abut 1550g?

I'd go with a DTSwiss RR1.1 rim, 28 spoke front and rear, and what ever hubs you want to go with. They won't be 1550g, but probably less than 1700. Maybe use the RR1.2 rim with a few less spokes?

btw: pics aren't working.

botto 

don't know what level you're riding at, or what your riding style is, but considering your weight, i'd go for strength over light weight.

RacerMike

weird...I added them as attachments instead. Thanks for the headsup...they looked fine in my browser.

slowandsteady

It would seem that Clyde + super light wheels = stress cracks

Why even bother with light wheels if you are overweight?

galen_52657

As you found out, you are a little tooooo heavy for those wheels. I would suggest a standard 32-hole build from a reputable source.

Tom Stormcrowe

How do you define overweight....just curious. Bone structure and lean body mass dependent, 225 is well within norm for a 6'3" man with heavy bone structure and a lot of muscle mass.

RacerMike

Just to clarify, I am 6'2" and I am carrying a bit of extra weight, but realistically without looking gaunt I don't think I could get under 205.

terry b

I weigh 155 pounds and I get an argument from Mike Garcia and every other reputable builder when I tell them I want 20H wheels. Mike has even argued with me on 24 and 28. When it comes to wheels, you have to put it into the right perspective. Rims are all similar, spokes weigh about 10 grams each. The big difference in is the hubs.

You have to buy what's appropriate for your size. You say hate to go lighter, but you're probably talking no more than and extra 200 grams for a set of wheels built for your needs vs. a set of light weight clinchers. That 200 grams is less than .22% of the total weight you bring to the bike if you were riding it naked and without water bottles.

36H open pros would last you a long, long time. And they wouldn't make a bit of difference in your performance. If the idea of weight is really killing you, buy the most expensive lightweight hubs you can find and build on those.

mattfeet

Yea, just because someone is 200+, doesnt mean theyre overweight. Im 6'4, 230 and while I am a little heavier than Id like to be, Im hardly very overweight...

-Matt

botto 

maybe, but you'd still be over the ideal weight for a lot of light weight wheels.

bigbossman 

That's funny, he talked me into a set of 24/28 Niobium's, and I'm 230.

terry b

I'm surprised, because he's been darn conservative with me.

Keep an eye on them, because I've had 2 spokes shake loose on my 28s. Not sure it has anything to do with weight, but they're the lightest set I own and the only ones I've ever had problems with.

I'd never consider that low a spoke count if I weighed more than 200. When I was 175, Mike, Excel and CC all recommended 32H as the most bombproof build.

mattfeet

Good point, but I wasnt arguing whether or not Im a good candidate for a pair of lightweight wheels, I was just saying that since Im 200+, that doesnt automatically make someone overweight.

-Matt

terry b

There's "overweight" and then there's "overweight for the equipment." I'm pretty sure that 225 is a little on the high side for a 20H rear wheel, and the evidence presented seems to agree with me.

I'll never under stand why 200+ pound guys even think for a minute about 2 pound frames and 20ish hole wheels. The best and lightest is always nice to brag about but c'mon, it won't make a whit of difference in getting you up a hill.

bigbossman 

Yeah - I called originally with the 32/32 set in my mind, but after talking with me for over an hour, that it what he recommended. I was leary at first, but he really insisted thatthey would be fine. The wheels ride well. They are lighter and much less flexy than the Xero-3's that were on my bike (which were 20/24, incidentally). I've only got about 5,000 miles on them so far, but they are still true and I haven't lost spokes or noticed any stess cracks yet.

mattfeet

Oh no, I agree with you completely. I was just defending us bigger fellas. I wouldnt in my right mind buy wheels with anything less than 30 right now.

-Matt

SSP

That would be a BMI of 28.1 - well into the "overweight" category per current CDC guidelines. For most folks, a BMI of 28.1 would, in fact, be overweight.

Of course, if one has a heavy bone structure (i.e., your fingers won't touch when you try to hold one wrist with the opposite hand), and a measured body fat percentage near single digits, then the guidelines would not be applicable. But, from casual observation I think there are a lot more "Bubbas" than "Rocks".

Regardless, anyone over 200 should probably avoid choosing lightweight mission-critical components like wheels, seatposts () and handlebars.

bac

The bike doesn't know/care if it's 225 of muscle, fat, or cardboard. The weight on the wheels is the same.

bac

+2 (for both wheels)

late

https://www.coloradocyclist.com/commo...762&TextMode=0

Tom Stormcrowe

OK, that's what I thought you meant. I was just asking for clarification there. I generally recommend a high spoke count. I weigh in at 219 now and I run 40 spoke rear and 36 front. I'm not concerned with grams here or there because my bike in the summer is likely to be rolling down the road loaded with panniers and gear and can weigh up to 40-50 pounds by itself with the gear on. If the wife is along, I'll be rolling with a trailer instead since it'll be her first ever tour. I thought I'd let her ride light....not to mention touring racks for a delta recumbent trike are few and far between! Sorry about the reflexive response there, I've gotten a few nasty comments in the past about my weight (2 years ago, I had blown up to 581 due to a metabolic disease), especially when I first got back into cycling for the exercise and weight loss and much as I try to avoid it happening, that button still has a light trigger sometimes

waterrockets 

Why do you care about wheel weight? I'm 185 and ride Deep Vs so they'll last forever. You can't have your cake and eat it too. You're a clyde training on race wheels...

Dubbayoo

+1 and I was 240 when I asked. I was asking about 20/24 but he suggested more spokes and lighter hubs.


We should all be happy with 4 lb frames unless we're built like Michael Rasmussen.

cyclintom

That ain't an insult, it's a classification. I'm a meager 200 lbs and ride like I'm half the weight most of the time but I wouldn't THINK of riding on 1500 gram wheels.

In fact, I was pretty sceptical of my Ksyerium SL's until I tried them out. Now I ride either my custom wheels or Mavic wheels and nothing else. And I haven't had to realign wheels in several years now.

People make entirely too much out of light weight wheels. The reason probably is because the lighter weight wheels usually have high end hubs which roll better over a longer period of time. I can actually tell the difference in the rollout of my Mavics and another set of wheels with Ultegra hubs as the only difference.

If you're over 185 lbs and ESPECIALLY if you haven't been riding a long time so that you're heavy in the saddle or if you're one of those mountain bikers first converting to road and hence not paying any attention to potholes and curbs, you cannot ride "light" wheels.

Therefore you are a "heavyweight" which ain't saying you're fat. Do you suppose Nelson Vails would have ridden 1500 gram wheels?