Wheelset advice for 315lb rider on early-90s Lemond steel frame
10-04-20, 03:35 PM
#1
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Thread Starter
Wheelset advice for 315lb rider on early-90s Lemond steel frame
Hiya, I just bought my first bike in probably 12 or 13 years and I'm really excited. The geometry is great and with a few tweaks and a solid tuneup, it'll be perfect. One thing I'm still figuring out though is wheels. The bike came with a set of Mavic Aksiums which are cool but at 20 spokes, I don't think they're going to do the job for a certified thicc-boy like myself.
I used to be a big bike nut, and had really great experiences with Velocity wheels back in the day and they offer Clydesdale wheelsets that should work with my frame. Their 36F/40R deep-vee set seems like a good fit and they claim a 300lb upper weight limit, which should be fine. My question is should I be looking at anything else. My frame (I think, haven't measured yet to be sure) has 126mm spacing and I'm running Shimano 11 cassette.
Cheers.
I used to be a big bike nut, and had really great experiences with Velocity wheels back in the day and they offer Clydesdale wheelsets that should work with my frame. Their 36F/40R deep-vee set seems like a good fit and they claim a 300lb upper weight limit, which should be fine. My question is should I be looking at anything else. My frame (I think, haven't measured yet to be sure) has 126mm spacing and I'm running Shimano 11 cassette.
Cheers.
10-04-20, 05:37 PM
#2
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If you are running an 11 speed cassette then the rear spacing is at 130 mm. I would look for wheels that have 36 spokes at the minimum.
10-05-20, 06:20 AM
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Based on my personal experience, having started at 310 myself, you will most likely need a new wheel set. Try the ones that came with the bike first but if you start hearing "creaking" sounds or experience spokes snapping, you will want to invest in a stronger set. What is your budget for new wheels?
10-05-20, 06:44 AM
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https://www.velocityusa.com/product/...ake-clydesdale Those Velocity wheels seem like a good choice. If you are already using 11 speed you probably have 130 rear spacing.
10-05-20, 07:40 AM
#5
Senior Member
Got a nice steel road bike in 2013-Retro remake of Masi Gran Criterium, came with 20 spoke rims. Got over 5k miles before the rear blew up. Ace wheel builder friend fixed me up with a 32 spoke Alexrims. Stock 20 spoke still on front. My weight for all that was about 220. For normal road bike geometry there is about twice as much weight on the rear wheel.
10-05-20, 10:24 AM
#6
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Thread Starter
So I pulled the trigger on the 36h/40h deep v set from velocity. Figured its better to be safe than sorry, and I can put the Aksiums up for sale somewhere and recoup a little cash. Once those wheels come in, I'll book my tuneup and safety check then its off to the races, figuratively speaking. Super excited.
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10-08-20, 12:16 PM
#7
Senior Member
I rode Aksiums for years at 270 lbs and never had the first problem with them. I would hang onto them.
10-08-20, 12:17 PM
#8
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Thread Starter
These are the race ones with 20 bladed spokes apiece, laced radially. I also wouldn't mind a bit more tire width than I can get on these.
