Recommendations for Light Weight Race Wheels for Slightly "Heavier" (190-200) Racers

Dan H

2008-03-03

Re: [OBRA Chat] Recommendations for Light Weight Race Wheels for Slightly "Heavier" (190-200) RacersEric,
I concur.
I meant to send this to the group earlier:

JD,
You and the others did not specify clincher or tubular, (were you asleep last week?) but I'm going to assume you are talking about clinchers even though you could get lighter for the same strength with tubulars not to mention better handling and cornering.
I have raced (and won) at or around the 200# mark on Matrix Iso tubulars with good Shimano or Campy hubs laced 28H front and 32H rear. I would use Wheelsmith Aero spokes on the front and left rear with DT Competition on the drive side. Aerodynamics by way of low spoke count does not matter too much on the rear wheel and the weight of the 4 extra spokes is negligible. This wheel set up is as light as $1000. "boutique" wheels and if a spoke breaks, you can a new one and fix it without having to send it out of state and pay big money.
For a clincher substitute, I would use Velocity Aerohead rims with the off center version on the rear for additional strength.
If budget allows, get Chris King or DT/Hugi hubs.
Other spoke options would be Sapim, ($$$) or DT aero ($$). Alloy nipples will shave a few grams of rotational weight.
Dan Houghton
Southwest Bicycle
3605 SW Multnomah Boulevard
Portland, OR 97219
www.southwestbicycle.com
503-246-0333

----- Original Message -----
From: Erik Long
To: Karsten Hagen ; Fergus ; J D
Cc: OBRA List
Sent: Monday, March 03, 2008 1:26 PM
Subject: Re: [OBRA Chat] Recommendations for Light Weight Race Wheels for Slightly "Heavier" (190-200) Racers

Since stiffness and repairability are key factors for heavier riders, I believe you'll have the best luck with a pair of custom wheels. The recipe I'd recommend if you want to keep the weight down:

Over 200lb-
Velocity Aerohead Rims, off-center rear 32h, Std front 28h
DT Alpine III spokes (Brass nips on rear whl)
DT 240s hubs
Final weight on these should be just a tad over 1,600g

180-200lb-
Velocity Aerohead Rims, 28h front & 28h off-center rear
DT Supercomp spokes (Brass nips on rear drive side)
DT 240s hubs
These should come in around 1,500g

The weights may vary a little depending on the production run of the individual parts. Now, I know these won't have the cool factor of a factory-built wheel and they have lots of spokes, but they'll be plenty tough and easy to repair in the event of crashes and such.

Any bike shop can build these for you, and they'll cost about the same as a pair of Ksyrium SL's, maybe less.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Date: Mon, 3 Mar 2008 12:14:07 -0800
From: hagenkt@mac.com
To: ferguskinnell@mac.com; jd3482@yahoo.com
CC: obra@list.obra.org
Subject: Re: [OBRA Chat] Recommendations for Light Weight Race Wheels for Slightly "Heavier" (190-200) Racers

Yep, I am looking for recommendations too (215 on a good day).

Karsten Hagen

On 3/3/08 12:10 PM, "Fergus" wrote:

I'd be interested in the recommendations as well. I'm 190.

Please respond on list!

Thanks,

Fergus

On Mar 3, 2008, at 12:04 PM, J D wrote:

I’m looking for recommendations on a quality set of light-weight road racing wheels for slightly heavier (190-200 lb) racers. If you’ve had a good experience with a particular brand/model please let me know off list.

Thanks

JD

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Erik Long

2008-03-03

Since stiffness and repairability are key factors for heavier riders, I believe you'll have the best luck with a pair of custom wheels. The recipe I'd recommend if you want to keep the weight down:

Over 200lb-
Velocity Aerohead Rims, off-center rear 32h, Std front 28h
DT Alpine III spokes (Brass nips on rear whl)
DT 240s hubs
Final weight on these should be just a tad over 1,600g

180-200lb-
Velocity Aerohead Rims, 28h front & 28h off-center rear
DT Supercomp spokes (Brass nips on rear drive side)
DT 240s hubs
These should come in around 1,500g

The weights may vary a little depending on the production run of the individual parts. Now, I know these won't have the cool factor of a factory-built wheel and they have lots of spokes, but they'll be plenty tough and easy to repair in the event of crashes and such.

Any bike shop can build these for you, and they'll cost about the same as a pair of Ksyrium SL's, maybe less.

Date: Mon, 3 Mar 2008 12:14:07 -0800
From: hagenkt@mac.com
To: ferguskinnell@mac.com; jd3482@yahoo.com
CC: obra@list.obra.org
Subject: Re: [OBRA Chat] Recommendations for Light Weight Race Wheels for Slightly "Heavier" (190-200) Racers

Re: [OBRA Chat] Recommendations for Light Weight Race Wheels for Slightly "Heavier" (190-200) Racers

Yep, I am looking for recommendations too (215 on a good day).

Karsten Hagen

On 3/3/08 12:10 PM, "Fergus" wrote:

I'd be interested in the recommendations as well. I'm 190.

Please respond on list!

Thanks,

Fergus

On Mar 3, 2008, at 12:04 PM, J D wrote:

I’m looking for recommendations on a quality set of light-weight road racing wheels for slightly heavier (190-200 lb) racers. If you’ve had a good experience with a particular brand/model please let me know off list.

Thanks

JD

Never miss a thing. Make Yahoo your homepage.

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Karsten Hagen

2008-03-03

Yep, I am looking for recommendations too (215 on a good day).

Karsten Hagen

On 3/3/08 12:10 PM, "Fergus" wrote:

> I'd be interested in the recommendations as well.  I'm 190.
>
> Please respond on list!
>
> Thanks,
>
> Fergus
>
> On Mar 3, 2008, at 12:04 PM, J D wrote:
>
>>  I¹m looking for recommendations on a quality set of light-weight road racing
>> wheels for slightly heavier (190-200 lb) racers.  If you¹ve had a good
>> experience with a particular brand/model please let me know off list.
>>  
>> Thanks
>>  
>> JD
>>
>>
>>
>> Never miss a thing. Make Yahoo your homepage.
>>
>> _______________________________________________
>> OBRA mailing list
>> obra@list.obra.org
>> http://list.obra.org/mailman/listinfo/obra
>> Unsubscribe: obra-unsubscribe@list.obra.org
>>
>
>
>
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> obra@list.obra.org
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Fergus

2008-03-03

I'd be interested in the recommendations as well. I'm 190.

Please respond on list!

Thanks,

Fergus

On Mar 3, 2008, at 12:04 PM, J D wrote:

> I’m looking for recommendations on a quality set of light-weight
> road racing wheels for slightly heavier (190-200 lb) racers. If
> you’ve had a good experience with a particular brand/model please
> let me know off list.
>
> Thanks
>
> JD
>
> Never miss a thing. Make Yahoo your homepage.
> _______________________________________________
> OBRA mailing list
> obra@list.obra.org
> http://list.obra.org/mailman/listinfo/obra
> Unsubscribe: obra-unsubscribe@list.obra.org


I’m looking for recommendations on a quality set of light-weight road racing wheels for slightly heavier (190-200 lb) racers. If you’ve had a good experience with a particular brand/model please let me know off list.

Thanks

JD

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