wheel component suggestions
08-14-07, 02:37 PM
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wheel component suggestions
Hi everyone,
I trashed the wheels on my hybrid bike playing bike polo, so I'm replacing them. Actually, I found out that a bike shop in St. Louis has a wheel building clinic, so I've decided to build my own. So you know, I use this bike as a commuter, and at 285 lbs, the wheels have to be super tough.
I think I'm going to go with the following components:
- Alex Adventurer 36-spoke rims
- 14 ga. straight-gauge spokes
- Shimano XT hubs
What do you all think about that? I'm trying not to break the bank on these wheels, but I don't want to have to replace them again in a few thousand miles. Any advice is very welcome!
Thanks,
Tony
I trashed the wheels on my hybrid bike playing bike polo, so I'm replacing them. Actually, I found out that a bike shop in St. Louis has a wheel building clinic, so I've decided to build my own. So you know, I use this bike as a commuter, and at 285 lbs, the wheels have to be super tough.
I think I'm going to go with the following components:
- Alex Adventurer 36-spoke rims
- 14 ga. straight-gauge spokes
- Shimano XT hubs
What do you all think about that? I'm trying not to break the bank on these wheels, but I don't want to have to replace them again in a few thousand miles. Any advice is very welcome!
Thanks,
Tony
08-14-07, 03:59 PM
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Sounds like a good setup to me. Similar to what stocks on the Surly LHT complete, IIRC. Should be a good, sturdy pair of wheels for you.
If I might make a suggestion, though:
Different bikes for commuting and polo. Your commuting rig will last a lot longer that way!
If I might make a suggestion, though:
Different bikes for commuting and polo. Your commuting rig will last a lot longer that way!
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08-14-07, 04:01 PM
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Those will be decent wheels. But I would switch to double butted spokes instead of the straight gauge.
Be cautious of Alex rims, you can probably get better rims for about the same price from sun or velocity.
Paul
Be cautious of Alex rims, you can probably get better rims for about the same price from sun or velocity.
Paul
08-14-07, 04:29 PM
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Honestly, I don't think there is a bike that can hold up to bike polo, so I'll probably just find a "whatever's cheapest" special to use.
08-14-07, 04:31 PM
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Have you had bad results with the Alex rims? I've heard lots of good things about them, but honestly, not much on the bad side.
08-14-07, 05:14 PM
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My Alex Rim, albeit low end, pulled through in 2 places. If you are going to buy the rim, why not get a set of Velocity or Mavic Open Pros or a version of the Mavic CXP's.
08-14-07, 06:20 PM
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Reference:
https://sheldonbrown.com/wheelbuild.html a couple paragraphs down where he talks about the kinds of spokes.
Also search through the mechanics forum about butted spokes.
08-15-07, 12:31 PM
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Straight Gauge is not stronger. In a direct sense they are to a degree, but under the kinds of stresses relative to wheel longevity, primarily repetitive fatigue stresses, the butted spokes will last longer.
Reference:
https://sheldonbrown.com/wheelbuild.html a couple paragraphs down where he talks about the kinds of spokes.
Also search through the mechanics forum about butted spokes.
Reference:
https://sheldonbrown.com/wheelbuild.html a couple paragraphs down where he talks about the kinds of spokes.
Also search through the mechanics forum about butted spokes.
08-15-07, 06:53 PM
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