Wind, rider weight, & spokes

[Bluetree]

I have to agree with everything aicabsolut wrote.

I'd like to add, however, that when you get into the whys and details of aero wheels, I probably would not recommend it if you are looking for something that will be your primary ride. Deep rims, in particular, only make a lot of sense if you're planning to race. And even in those cases, most racers have different sets of "training" wheels and "race" wheels.

If you're building up a new bike and planning on riding on a lot of chip and seal roads, I would go with something more general/dependable as your primary wheelset. Then, as you get faster and look for ways to improve, you can zero in on the details, whether it be wheels with aero spokes or deeper rims. It will also give you time to borrow other peoples' wheelsets and see for yourself what you like and what will work best for you.

One of the main reasons I wanted to go for a 700c bike (as opposed to 650c) is that I wanted to try out as many kinds of wheels as possible. Hooking up with a large club with an active race team (with a sizable Campy cult) gave me that opportunity. I've been able to borrow wheels to see how they could or would not work for me. There are also a number of bike shops that will let me test out wheels, too. Maybe you can look into something like that.

Good luck!

[indysteel]

Wow; this thread has been most imformative. Thanks, ladies!

[Miranda]

Wow; this thread has been most imformative. Thanks, ladies!

Wow! Indysteel, you got that right.

OK, I need to digest this info. Very helpful indeed. Thank you for taking the time to post it.

[fidlfreek]

Aicabsolut is an awesome resource!!! I now want a Zipp 343 wheelset... Not need, just want...but oh well.

Miranda what bike did you decide on?! I'm so thrilled you have something on order. Yeah!

I am also small/light and would recommend you get a good quality, basic, alloy wheelset - forget this blingy Mavic stuff or anything carbon. Pricier to fix and at our weight the bladed spokes and deep dish rims are just trouble. The more you spend the lighter the wheelset will be generally. I found an Easton EA90 SLX (1398 grams for the set) for about $500. The lighter weight helps with climbing and at our weight we can afford to run a feather weight wheelset without worrying a lot about it failing. They will be a great training/everyday wheelset. Save your $$ and buy really blingy wheels later! If you haven't already go check out the reviews on roadbikereview.com. Good info there. And remember, you and me aren't going to have the same issues of flex and maintenance on a light wheelset as a super aggressive big guy rider - so don't sweat their negative reviews.

[sundial]

I don't have an aerodynamic wheel set but I do have Mavic Ksyrium SL on my Roubaix and essentially they are bomb proof--no truing the spokes for at least 2 years.

[aicabsolut]

Definitely take online reviews with a grain of salt. It seems like every wheel has some major problem with breaking spokes and flex and whatnot, going by what people say online. You need to consider that there are a lot of large guys writing those negative reviews who put a lot more stress on wheels than you will.

[Cataboo]

Miranda,

I gotta say - you're going to be the best researched, best.... bike buyer ever. 'cause I've never even thought about a lot of the stuff that you post threads on.


I have a set of 100 mm "heavy" carbon wheels... In a cross wind or in the wind, I find it pretty freaky. I also don't have much rake on the front fork of the bike that I use those wheels with, so it doesn't take much and it feels like my bike is pushed all over the place. I'm short, but not as light as you.

It's not so pleasant. I have a spare set of wheels that I use when it's windy, except I never seem to realize it's windy till I'm a few miles away.

[Miranda]

Thx to those of you that posted some more info after the last time I wrote in here. I read some, then took me a bit to get back to the pc/thread.

Yes... I would agree. Lighter gals do not have the same issues as heavy guy hammer heads. I think it would be pretty hard for us to blow up a wheelset in comparison.

Oh, and yes... I'm a gear geek it out to the max shopper. I'm still tainted and scorned from my original bike buying experience. Thus, I never buy any bike gear without consulting the wise words of my cyber pals here on TE.

And as far as my bike ordering/buying, that's been put on the hold for the moment, unfortunately *sigh*. Just as I was done geeking out my choices, I had a mishap and broke a bone in my foot!

What awful timing with Spring *finally* here. But, I'll try to behave while I heal and be patient.

[OakLeaf]

Owie Miranda, heal quick!

[Miranda]

Owie Miranda, heal quick!

Thx Oakleaf. When the first doc said 6-8wks normally for a bone to heal I kinda wanted to cry. Not because of physical pain either. But, the ortho surg doc said a couple weeks I could try some stuff taking it easy if I felt ok. Having stiff bike shoes that don't let the foot flex is to my advantage. Versus if I were a runner with this same injury.