Recommendations for back wheel for heavier friends '06 Jamie Sputnik?
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Recommendations for back wheel for heavier friends '06 Jamie Sputnik?
i've got a friend with an '06 Jamis Sputnik who has put on some weight in the past 10 years. He's at around 290 and losing weight fairly well. He pulled his old bike out and wants to get back on it but needs a new back wheel. He's pretty out of touch with cycling now and asked for recommendations, but I only know a bit about vintage bicycles.
Anyways, he wants a black wheel that is high spoke count and sturdy enough for his weight and decently priced. Any suggestions? He'd also like it to be black.
His front wheel is carbon fiber, which I assumed would be dangerous for his weight but he doesn't seem to think so. What are the thoughts here? Thanks!
Anyways, he wants a black wheel that is high spoke count and sturdy enough for his weight and decently priced. Any suggestions? He'd also like it to be black.
His front wheel is carbon fiber, which I assumed would be dangerous for his weight but he doesn't seem to think so. What are the thoughts here? Thanks!
Last edited by polymorphself; 03-29-20 at 11:14 PM.
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Thread moved to C/A per OP's request.
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Consider looking at entire bikes. You may find something a bit stronger which is suited for heavy people. Even just a regular bike which is strong. A mountain bike with wide tires is better than a bike with skinny tires for heavy people.
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Truthfully just as far as aesthetics/performance/price I'm not sure what to look at for this modern single speed bicycle.
Last edited by polymorphself; 03-30-20 at 09:31 AM.
#5
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Look at the Vuelta Corsa HD wheelsets. They aren't light, but your friend isn't light either. These would be pretty strong with 36 spokes. I don't know if he could get just a rear wheel somewhere, but the set is just over two Benjamins. You didn't mention the spoke count on his front carbon wheel, but if it's a low spoke count (it probably is) then he might be better off riding something like these Vueltas for a while until he gets his weight down.
For what it's worth, I built my own custom carbon wheelset that is something one simply cannot find on the open market, ie: nice semi-deep section carbon rims with high quality hubs, but with 36 spokes both fore and aft. Nobody makes something like this. It's awesome, but much more expensive than something like the Vueltas linked above.
One more thing to consider would be talking to a custom wheelbuilder. It would probably cost more than just buying off the shelf, and may not be worth it if this is seen as some kind of temporary solution until he's got more weight off. But consider that if your friend is at 290 lbs now the likelihood that he's ever going to get down to "typical" cyclist weight (say, 160-180 lbs) is pretty minimal, so having a strong wheelset is always going to be a concern. Even if he gets down to 230-240 or so he's still going to want stronger wheels than the typical skinny cyclist.
Edit: I had a look at some photos of that 2006 Jamis Sputnik bike, and I wouldn't hold out hope with that fork and rear frame of supporting very wide tires, but definitely he'll want to ride the widest tires that will fit. 25mm should be pretty easy, but if he can fit a 28mm (or higher) he'd be well advised to do so.
For what it's worth, I built my own custom carbon wheelset that is something one simply cannot find on the open market, ie: nice semi-deep section carbon rims with high quality hubs, but with 36 spokes both fore and aft. Nobody makes something like this. It's awesome, but much more expensive than something like the Vueltas linked above.
One more thing to consider would be talking to a custom wheelbuilder. It would probably cost more than just buying off the shelf, and may not be worth it if this is seen as some kind of temporary solution until he's got more weight off. But consider that if your friend is at 290 lbs now the likelihood that he's ever going to get down to "typical" cyclist weight (say, 160-180 lbs) is pretty minimal, so having a strong wheelset is always going to be a concern. Even if he gets down to 230-240 or so he's still going to want stronger wheels than the typical skinny cyclist.
Edit: I had a look at some photos of that 2006 Jamis Sputnik bike, and I wouldn't hold out hope with that fork and rear frame of supporting very wide tires, but definitely he'll want to ride the widest tires that will fit. 25mm should be pretty easy, but if he can fit a 28mm (or higher) he'd be well advised to do so.
Last edited by SethAZ; 03-30-20 at 10:40 AM. Reason: added content
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On a side note im looking at getting a new bike. I'm torn between Giant Escape disc 2020 and a Giant Escape 2 disc 2020. Its a 260 dollar price difference. However the only difference betweent them is the crankset. ones forged alloy and the other is a shimano 210 30/46. Also the fork is an 'enhanced composite'. Is that really worth 260 dollars?
Thanks!
#8
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At his weight, any more than 32 spokes is overkill. The higher profile the rim, the stronger it will be. Velomine is a company that pumps out pretty cheap wheels. Given it's a single speed, that brings the price down a LOT due to the simplicity of the hub. A freewheel just screws onto the hub and they are relatively cheap too, even for higher quality options.
As for the front wheel, carbon is fine. He just needs to shy away from lightweight anything.
As for the front wheel, carbon is fine. He just needs to shy away from lightweight anything.
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The best solution is to find a heavy-duty rim with 36 spoke holes designed for tandems or 'trekking', then have it laced into a Shimano SLX or XT hub with stainless steel spokes. This gives the multiple benefits of strength, lowish cost, and easy repairs and parts replacements if necessary.
#10
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Hey man, could you recommend a wheel set for a hybrid bike? 700c 35. Its a Giant escape 2 from 2012.
On a side note im looking at getting a new bike. I'm torn between Giant Escape disc 2020 and a Giant Escape 2 disc 2020. Its a 260 dollar price difference. However the only difference betweent them is the crankset. ones forged alloy and the other is a shimano 210 30/46. Also the fork is an 'enhanced composite'. Is that really worth 260 dollars?
Thanks!
On a side note im looking at getting a new bike. I'm torn between Giant Escape disc 2020 and a Giant Escape 2 disc 2020. Its a 260 dollar price difference. However the only difference betweent them is the crankset. ones forged alloy and the other is a shimano 210 30/46. Also the fork is an 'enhanced composite'. Is that really worth 260 dollars?
Thanks!
#11
Junior Member
I swear by Velocity Deep V rims and ride 700x25 tires and have never had a problem. I am 6'3" and currently weight 365 pounds.
https://www.velocityusa.com/home/
Good luck and ride like a lightweight!
https://www.velocityusa.com/home/
Good luck and ride like a lightweight!
#12
aka Phil Jungels
If the money is not a problem, nobody is ever sorry they bought better!