Cyclist1092309

Hi,
I have currently got a 700c 24 spoke rear wheel and I was wondering would the wheel be able to withstand touring with a pannier, I imagine the weight of panniers, rack and contents would be under 20kg but will it be able to hold this safely or should I get a 32 spoke wheel?
Thanks

staehpj1

You don't mention rider weight, but unless you are very light it sounds like a bit much to expect of a 24 spoke wheel. If you are replacing the wheel any way I'd go 36 spokes for a 20 kg load.

Cyclist1092309

I myself weight 60kg

staehpj1

In that case I would think you might be OK. Lots of riders weigh as much or more than you and your gear combined. I might be concerned if the roads will be particularly rough.

My road bike has a 24 spoke rear wheel and is loaded heavier than that with just me on it. I don't tour on it but the wheels are holding up fine with more weight than you anticipate carrying.

ClemY

I am twice your weight and have broken spokes on just about every tour. I don't break spokes on my 48 spoke wheels. At your weight I wouldn't think you need wheels for clydesdales, but I have strong doubts that 24 spoke wheels would prove satisfactory. They are probably narrow rims for small section tires. Most tourists find wider section tires more satisfactory. Will fatter tires fit in your frame? If you plan to do much touring, a dedicated wheelset might be a consideration. I would consider 36 spokes a minimum.

bradtx

03staylo, You probably can, but I'm not 100% sure because a heavier rider that equals your touring weight is still ahead of the rear axle. Panniers will put some of that weight directly above the axle and a pannier can't 'ride light' when traversing bumpy areas. Moving some weight to a handlebar bag might be a good idea.

If you can fit 28C tires in your frame, even better... just a SWAG that 28C is the largest those rims will work with.

Brad

PS If that's the wheelset you want for your riding outside of a specific touring trip, just carry a couple of extra spokes.

rogerstg

You should be fine - use what you've got. I use the same wheels with 25mm tires and weigh about 80 kilos ~173#+. I don't tour on them either, but I hit some pretty mean potholes at 35 mph without incident.

furballi

36h will provide greater margin of safety. Anything can happen on a tour. It's like buying extra insurance when you are far away from the nearest LBS.

fietsbob

Double posted , so here's the other one :
https://www.bikeforums.net/showthread...er-for-touring

race bike itself has limitations , like a low gear to climb mountain passes.

LeeG

20kg sitting dead on a 24spoke rear wheel with light rider. When I was light and toured with light wheels it was 36 straight 15g. spokes. Maybe it's doable with a deep dish rim but those shimano don't look like deep dish. Given the consequences of one broken spoke on a 24spoke wheel are pretty severe I wouldn't risk it.

NoReg

There are examples of low spoke wheels being designed for touring, but they have been specially constructed for that purpose. I wouldn't tour on anything less than 36. One can but there isn't really any point. Some experts question the weight savings of even the low spoke wheels on racing bikes.

Cyclesafe

In real estate it's first, location; second, location; and third location.

In touring it's first, rear wheel; second, rear wheel; and third, rear wheel. What will be the consequence of a rear failure? Cost? Time wasted? Do you know how to change a spoke? Will you have the means of removing your cassette if your broken spoke is on the drive side?

Your moderate body weight and load total is the only reason why there's a conversation. You could very well get away with 24 spokes if you can avoid pot holes and do your own repairs. But most everyone here, including me, is recommending that your buy a new 36h wheel to significantly reduce the probablity of mechanical breakdowns on your tour.

If you decide to stay with 24h, let us know how the wheel fared on your tour. I'm very curious.