700c wheel recommendations

[lozcs]

Any recommendations on wheels for my Claud Butler, just had call from LBS as they are doing service and front wheel is shot... they have quoted £45 to replace (different model), but would rather get it back and replace front and back to match.

Quick look on ebay something like on of these two?

Any other recommendations.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Shimano-T...sure_cycling_bikeparts_SR&hash=item231b6f3ffb

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Shimano-R...sure_cycling_bikeparts_SR&hash=item43ae116f71

 

[lozcs]

Also, what does 32H mean?

 

[defy-one]

Are 32h and 36h wheels the best?

Would they be standard on 700c wheels?


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[lozcs]

[QUOTE 1812907, member: 45"]That's the number of holes in the rim and hub, and the number of spokes.[/quote]

Oh yes...

 

[Sittingduck]

The more spokes, the stronger (but probably heavier) the wheels. It all depends on the intended use. 20, 24, 27 for road bikes seem to be the norm but I wouldn't fancy anything less than 32 (pref 36) for riding with a load or commuting on bad roads.

 

[Judderz]

I have the Shimano R500's on my bike at the moment, had them on since last May, never had any problems with them, never gone out of true, I'd say bomb proof...specially with the potholes and the condition of the roads we have

 

[accountantpete]

Are 32h and 36h wheels the best?

Would they be standard on 700c wheels?


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Factory wheels tend to have stronger/ lighter rims and spokes so they get away with fewer spokes.

Here's a Ksyrium - the spokes are really thick and strong but equally lightweight which is why they cost so much. Some rims don't have holes in the top for access to spokes (you need a magnet) so again they are stronger.

 

[PpPete]

In the same sort of league as your ebay links:
Mavic Aksiums
Fulcrum 7
Planet X A57
Planet X Model B
all get good write ups on here and in other places.

But for me it has to be my own hand-builts everytime. Check out the Wheelpro book for a good introduction.

 

[Scilly Suffolk]

Are 32h and 36h wheels the best?

Whether modern, well built wheels with a low spoke count are as strong as modern, well built wheels with a high spoke count is still a contentious issue; although there seems to be a consensus forming that they are, at least, almost on a par.

However, it is widely agreed that the lower the spoke count, the greater the stress on each individual spoke and therefore its importance to the overall integrity of the wheel.

In other words, if you break a spoke (or even two or three) on a 32 or 36 hole rim then you will likely be able to ride home; if you pop a spoke on something like a 20 hole rim, it will distort into a shape unknown to science and you'll walk home with your bike on your shoulder.

 

[Andrew_P]

Mavic Askiums were really good on my bike, only replaced them as the rear rimhad worn. Didn't buy them again only because I saw a chance to upgrade I bought a pair of Shimano RS80's and if I am entirely honest the upgrade were neither more bling and I cannot say they felt much different either, just syphoned yet more cash for cycling. There is only so much I can keep justifying to myself for the savings in Petrol!!

 

[Andrew_P]

And I miss the clicking freewheel

 

[Sittingduck]

I have Aksiums on one of my bikes and I'm really impressed with them so far. I don't think I would trust them to run a loaded commuter bike in all weathers mind you. I am intending to use that particular bike as a fair weather commuter, for the Spring and Summer. I cross my fingers that I don't ping a spoke or it's game over, unlike my 36H Mavic, on my day-to-day bike.

 

[Andrew_P]

I have Aksiums on one of my bikes and I'm really impressed with them so far. I don't think I would trust them to run a loaded commuter bike in all weathers mind you. I am intending to use that particular bike as a fair weather commuter, for the Spring and Summer. I cross my fingers that I don't ping a spoke or it's game over, unlike my 36H Mavic, on my day-to-day bike.

When I first bought my bike I rode for 200 miles with an annoying click on my front wheel (Aksium) it was a loose spoke and it only buckled very slighty back then I was 234lbs as well so I would say they are pretty bomb proof.

Some Fulcrums come with the caveat of a weight limit of around 179lbs without having to have them checked on a regular basis, which would worry me even at my current 175lbs...

 

[rb58]

I run Fulcrum 7s as the winter wheel on the 'best' bike. The freewheel is very noisy - you can hear me coming from miles away if I'm not pedalling. Other than that, they've been great.

I also have Ksyrium Elites as the summer wheel. I'm not exactly skinny and I rode them for several thousand miles last summer and they're as true today as the day I bought them. Considerably lighter than the Fulcrums too. I'd have no hesitation in buying another set, even though they have a low spoke count.

 

[I like Skol]

But for me it has to be my own hand-builts everytime. Check out the Wheelpro book for a good introduction.

Me too. I have never suffered a snapped spoke or buckled wheel with my own handbuilts despite the worst kind of MTB off-road abuse. The only time I have had problems is due to catastropic crash incidents (and I mean things like sliding under a car on a country lane!).

In other words, if you break a spoke (or even two or three) on a 32 or 36 hole rim then you will likely be able to ride home; if you pop a spoke on something like a 20 hole rim, it will distort into a shape unknown to science and you'll walk home with your bike on your shoulder.

Just last week I was out on my MTB with the kids. We were nearly home when I noticed while pushing my bike through a gate that the rear brake was rubbing slightly at one point of the wheel revolution. A quick check revealed a spoke snapped midway along it's length (which is unusual). We finished the ride . Once home I removed and inspected the offending spoke and found a few gouges in the area of the break which were obviously the cause of the failure.I don't know if the spoke had been in contact with a stone or maybe one of the kids has stuffed a pedal into the wheel when we parked up at the cafe but I am still happy that my 10 year old wheel with 36 spokes (Mavic rims and DT S/S butted spokes) barely moved after suffering a snapped spoke and was good as new after replacement was fitted. I have also had trouble with snapping spokes on my hybrid factory wheels(32H) so have built my own set of 32Fr and 36Rr mavic rimmed + butted spoked wheels which I expect to last forever as they are disc braked so will not wear out.