Wheel recommendations?

[bjf]

I'm setting up a bike for riding on pretty good dirt roads, in state parks near me. It's a road bike with flat bars, and I'm heavy - 220. Recommendations for strong but cheap wheels? Weight is not a huge concern for this application.

[ik2280]

Seems hard to beat this price:

http://www.velomine.com/index.php?ma...oducts_id=3173

[weisan]

Originally Posted by ik2280

Seems hard to beat this price:

http://www.velomine.com/index.php?ma...oducts_id=3173

I concur. They might as well give it to you for free.

[oldpotatoe]

Originally Posted by bjf

I'm setting up a bike for riding on pretty good dirt roads, in state parks near me. It's a road bike with flat bars, and I'm heavy - 220. Recommendations for strong but cheap wheels? Weight is not a huge concern for this application.

velomine suggestion is a good one. BUT I recommend having a good wheel guy, check true, round, dish, tension....before ya ride.

It IS nice to see a MO place that acknowledges there actually ARE 36h hubs and rims still out there. A 'few' tell people 'there are no more 36h hubs', and such bugleoil.

[thirdgenbird]

I agree with those guys. They are ideal for your use.

[bjf]

Yes, folks, I found it really helpful to hear about the 36 spoke wheels. I was wondering if I could get anything with more than 24. Thanks!

[sparky33]

Ergott

[coreywood]

One downside of these, which also makes the case for a good wheelbuilder, are the straight-guage spokes. At 220, you would do well to be riding on butted spokes for their resistance to breakage, and longer service life. 36 is a great number for you, as well.
If it is possible to get the hard anodized version of TB14, they hold up better under the initial wear period when ridden in wet/dirty conditions.
Safe and happy riding!

[K Green]

Gravel can be fun! Suggest you use Phil Wood 36H with Mavic Open Pro 700 Clinchers and Continental tires...you will be happy! Oh...and DT double-butted spokes...

[oldpotatoe]

Originally Posted by K Green

Gravel can be fun! Suggest you use Phil Wood 36H with Mavic Open Pro 700 Clinchers and Continental tires...you will be happy! Oh...and DT double-butted spokes...

'cept just the hubs would be more $, by a lot, than the wheelset mentioned. Yes, I am a big fan of all things Phil but...I'd also think there are better rims than OpenPro..many..HED(Rip), H+Son, Pacenti, DT, to name a few.

IMHO-pf course.

[Clancy]

A solid double wall rim with 36 spokes in a cross pattern. Durable as can be, takes a beating, keeps their true.

Keep an eye on the classifieds here or on similar sites such as Roadbikereview.com good rims can be picked up at very good prices.

If you can swing it, some DT Swiss. Last a lifetime.

Peter

[ceolwulf]

Originally Posted by bjf

I'm setting up a bike for riding on pretty good dirt roads, in state parks near me. It's a road bike with flat bars, and I'm heavy - 220. Recommendations for strong but cheap wheels? Weight is not a huge concern for this application.

I weigh close to what you do and have had excellent service from Campy Khamsin wheels. Get the CX version for a bit better dust sealing. You could also step up to Scirocco 35s for a deeper rim that would be even stouter. Weight isn't even that bad.

[CiclistiCliff]

Originally Posted by K Green

Gravel can be fun! Suggest you use Phil Wood 36H with Mavic Open Pro 700 Clinchers and Continental tires...you will be happy! Oh...and DT double-butted spokes...

Whomever is still choosing to build or buy wheels built around Mavic Open Pros is stuck in the 90's and needs to get with the time. Most outdated wheel in existence.

[Jeff N.]

Originally Posted by motorbacon

Whomever is still choosing to build or buy wheels built around Mavic Open Pros is stuck in the 90's and needs to get with the time. Most outdated wheel in existence.

The HED rims are now supposed to be THE rim of choice...or so I've been told. Jeff N.

[azrider]

Not trying to start an internet cat fight, but wouldn't 36 spoke wheels be overkill?

When I was 190 I was rolling 32 spoke wheels and couldn't get them to come out of true even if I tried and abused the hell out of them.....couldn't imagine having even more spokes.