RadDog

Greetings, forumites.

I have narrowed down my choices to 2 sets, but I would greatly appreciate some feedback. Carbon frame bike that either has or is getting Ultegra parts. I am a 220 lb bodybuilder/powerlifter who has squatted/deadlifted 600 lbs, so I generate a lot of power.

On the other hand, I ride pure tarmac and the roads are very good where I live. I don't curb jump (well, I will a couple of times when the rims are new to test them out) and my background in BMX/messengering has enabled me to really reduce any impact to the rims. The Cliff's notes version is "fairly big rider, strong rider, smooth roads." I will be running 25 tires.

I have been considering Blackset race 24 rims with a 24/28 spoke set up. The 24 is the height of the rim and 24s are not as strong as 30's, but incredibly light. The Blacksets usually come with Pure hubs which are very light and, based upon my research, good quality. I can get these for a ridiculously low price ($320) and they are extremely light, 1455 grams. The downside is these are not the strongest rims.

On the other hand I can get a Blackset race 24 rim with a 32/32 spoke pattern and a Dura Ace hub for under $500 delivered. This choice would be the best in terms of strength and reliability and weighs 1680 grams.

I would love to run the Blackset race 24s, they are cheap and light, but am I too heavy for them? The aluminum cartridges on the pure hubs are sealed and can be replaced, but of course they can't match the durability of the dura ace hubs.

Thanks!

DaveSSS 

I'd look into Campy or fulcrum wheels from pro bike kit or merlin. At your weight, wheel weight is insignificant. Otherwise, ask the wheel builder.

RadDog

Since I don't race (anymore) and am heavy in theory weight should not be a huge deal. However, lighter stuff is simply more fun to ride and motivates me to ride longer/more often.

Having said that, the 200 gram difference between the low spoke count Zlights and Blacksets is probably outweighed by the superior strength and durability of the dura ace hubbed 32 spoke count wheel.

So my takeaway fro your comments is to go with the heavier/stronger/more durable wheel/hub (IE Dura ace).

shelbyfv

https://www.bikeforums.net/clydesdal...lbs-rider.html

Koyote

I'm not familiar with the particular wheels you are discussing, but I do think that, at your weight, 32x spokes is advisable. And Dura Ace hubs are pretty much gold standard, as long as you will maintain them properly. (I believe they are still traditional open bearing hubs, right? So, clean and repack with fresh bearings every now and then.)

Kimmo 

I reckon 24h front, 28h with a good rim is probably more than enough spoke for you, given your habits of mechanical sympathy. I reckon you should probably go a 28mm tyre in the back, though.

So I'd say go the 28h wheels, as long as those Pure hubs are damn fine, I'm talking straight pull flanges, and with steel strips on the inevitably ally cassette splines, or at least forged ally there. Otherwise, missing out on that sweet Shimano freehub will sting too much.

I wish Shimano offered straight-pull hubs in all 'drillings' from 16-27h, like they do with the old fogey 32h hubs.

DangerousDanR

I am about 230 pounds. Used to be pretty strong and I used to break rear wheel spokes a lot. I picked up my cadence to be between 80 and 100 which reduced the wheel breakage issues.

I am currently running a set of Rolf Echelon wheels, which I bought because they use a steel axle instead of aluminum. I did break a couple of non-drive side spokes the second year I owned them, which Rolf replaced under warranty. The front has been flawless. The front is a 16 spoke wheel, and the rear is a 20 spoke wheel.

RadDog

"Given your habits of mechanical sympathy"....LOL. That is a great phrase. But yes, I try and be careful.

In regards to the 28 tire, I am not sure if my frame will allow, but I might give it a try. So, you are saying, 24/28, Pure hub, and 28 tire. The larger tire will probably make the 24/28's w/ lighter hub weight the same as the dura ace 32/32 with 25's, yes? Interesting. The internal width on the Blackset 24's are only 17.