wheels

[Big boy]

Hi all i have a question regarding heavy riders and wheels.
Basically i have a highbrid at the moment with 28x700 swallabe tires.
My rear wheel was never realy true from new, i should have taken the bike back but never did.
Im thinking of getting a road bike as the bike i have is pretty naff.
The bikes im lookin at have skinny wheels fitted with 700x23 tires.
Am i lookin at loads of problems here, i cant afford a tourer any advice apresiated.
Im sitting at mid to high 15 stone at the moment, having already lost about ten pounds.
I live out in the country and cycle for pleasure and the workout...

 

[accountantpete]

Road wheels are perfectly ok for 13st and probably ok for 15st.

I can't guarantee that you won't have problems but if you stick to 32spoke wheels you should be ok.

Ideally you should also get a spoke key and learn to true wheels for yourself.

 

[Fiona N]

Well you could take the back wheel into a bike shop for a start - truing a wheel which is otherwise undamaged isn't a big deal.

Otherwise, I reckon riding style is more important that just weight in how well wheels hold up. Some people just seem to wreck gear and they're not always the heaviest folk.

 

[Rob3rt]

Ive seen road wheels with 90kg limits whatever that equates to in stone, but some 32 spoke wheels should be fine. Might think twice about some min spoke count carbon racing wheels if a heavier rider but some everyday road wheels will almost certainly be fine.

 

[smokeysmoo]

I dream of being mid to high 15 stone!
I currently use Mavic Ksyrium SL on my road bike, Charge Dish on my fixed and Halo Aerorage on my commuter. Touch wood all have been fine. The carbon bike I used to have had DT Swiss R1900 with a weight limit sticker of about 17 stone, (even that's a pipe dream for me!), but with the exception of snapping one spoke after 2 years I never had a problem with them.
As others have said, stick to a high spoke count and you'll be fine, that said, my Mavics are a low spoke count but extremely well made and very strong

 

[Broughtonblue]

I weigh similar to you and ride a giant scr2 which came with Alex rims, I started to get a very loud and annoying clicking noise. Took it to my lbs who stripped it down and said it was fine. Took it out and the noise was still there so the bloke in the shop took it out (built like a runner bean) and said no noise at all. We decided it was the 'free hub' or something technical. Upgraded the wheels and all is fine so could only put it down to my weight.

 

[Seigi]

You'll be fine, I have a Giant Defy 3 with Schwalbe Blizzard 700x23C and I weigh more than you do. As someone else has pointed out "I've seen wheels with 90kg (14st) limits", true, but that's per wheel, so unless you weigh more than 180kg (28st), I wouldn't worry about it

 

[Big boy]

Hi all thanks for the advice, its put my mind to rest there.
The wheel will go to the shop to be put right, at the same time i will pick up a spoke spanner.