Fulcrum 5's for a fatty?

[mwktar]

Hey guys, i'm a pretty big guy, 6ft 4 and my weight is often around the 19/20 stone mark

been looking at what i can upgrade on my bike and the wheels seem a good start - after some research the Fulcrum 5 set seems the best set for the cash i have - but my main concern is the spoke set up on there.

With less spokes, will my ample size make it more likely for the wheels to break in some way?

 

[StuAff]

Afraid to say, according to the documentation you're too heavy for any Fulcrum wheelset:
"All Fulcrum wheels are constructed to meet the highest standards of resistance and durability. If you weigh over 109 kg/240 lbs we advise you not to use this product. Non compliance with this warning can damage the product irreversibly. If you weigh 82 kg/180 lbs or more, you must be especially vigilant and have your bicycle inspected more frequently (than someone weighing less than 82 kg/180 lbs). Check with your mechanic to discuss whether the wheels you selected are suitable for your use, and to determine the frequency of inspections. Using tires with a larger diameter and a frame that respects the standards will help to increase the lifetime of the wheels. - See more at: http://www.fulcrumwheels.com/en/faq/wheels#sthash.Zleiv2Xz.dpuf"
That being said, provided you don't mind the lack of warranty you might well be perfectly OK- those weight limits will err on the side of caution. If in doubt, you might want to look at getting something with a higher spoke count though.

 

[Cyclist33]

No idea sorry, I run r5s but I'm half your weight nearly. Never any problems with them though.

Might be better off getting 32 spoke wheels traditionally made... Or something like...

http://www.merlincycles.com/pair-shimano-5800-hubs-mavic-open-sport-rims-71996.html

 

[mwktar]

Cheers guys if anyone else has any suggestions for an upgrade from a basic wheel for the more "portly" fellow let me know would be greatly appreciated

 

[vickster]

Handbuilts are the usual recommendation with more spokes

I am around 15 stone and have Fulcrum 5s on two bikes and no issues but interesting what Fulcrum say

@Spoked Wheels might have some good advice to offer

 

[Spoked Wheels]

Handbuilts are the usual recommendation with more spokes

I am around 15 stone and have Fulcrum 5s on two bikes and no issues but interesting what Fulcrum say

@Spoked Wheels might have some good advice to offer

Like most things in this world, wheels are built with a life expectancy and the same goes for its components. There is no magic only good design, specs and building techniques can make the difference.
In a poorly designed, specified or built wheel, the life of the wheel is shorter. It's all common sense if you think about it. I still remember the Lada cars that used to come from the old Soviet Union I think, they were poorly built and had a very short life, the same happens with wheels. Also, you wouldn't drive a Ferrary to deliver bricks, would you? The Ferrary is a fine car but not for delivering bricks

In a nut shell:
Most people with wheel complains somehow boil down to spokes, either loose spokes or broken spokes and wheel going out of true.

Two things that kill spokes are miles and weight, not potholes like many people believe. A large pothole ridden at speed can certainly damage the rim and that would affect the spokes in some cases, assuming the wheel is a good wheel as in correctly designed, specified and built

Four things that extend the life or delay an early death of a wheel are more spokes, good spoke tension, uniform tension and stress relieving the spoke.

A well built wheel should last many thousands of miles without suffering from going out of true BUT when that wheel is subjected to loads the wheel was not designed for then, the wheel is not going to fall apart or collapse on you ( unless you weigh a tonne ), but the life of that wheel will be shortened. Your Fulcrum 5 is an example, if you were 3 stones lighter I'm sure you would probably double the life of the wheels.