Are my Wheels strong enough

[JPBoothy]

Hi All, I have just bought a second hand Cyclocross bike but the owner only used it for commuting and decided to put road wheels on it. The Wheels look great, but are they strong enough to ride off road? My previous Cross bike had 32 spoke wheels, but those on my new bike only have 16(F) + 20(R). My LBS think they will be okay as I'm quite a lightweight rider.

Any thoughts?

 

[smokeysmoo]

The oe wheels would have been fitted for their application and obvious strength, and TBH if I was riding CX again I'd definitely want, or rather need 32 spoke buggers, but if you're the racing snake you say you are then you may well be OK, only way is to suck it and see I'd say.

There is obviously off road and then there's 'off road', so it will also depend on the severity of tracks you plan on riding.

Fair play to your LBS though, they could have easily just said yup you need new wheels do you want to order some.

That said if in doubt just replace them and flog the road wheels to offset the cost.

 

[adamhearn]

I personally wouldn't take such a low spoke count wheel off road whatever your weight.

 

[outlash]

Depends on what wheels they are and what ground you're looking at taking them over. I have Fulcrum 7 cx wheels on my crosser and they've stayed true despite taken a right beating over the last year and having a relatively low spoke count (24/16). I'm no lightweight either at 13 stone.

 

[Yellow Saddle]

Separate strength and durability. The wheels may be strong enough, which is indicated by the fact that they don't break when you sit on the bike. However durability only shows up over time. They are almost certainly not durable. Durability is in direct correlation with spoke count and rim weight. I actually doubt they are even strong enough for the occasional shuffle they will encounter in a CX scenario.

 

[JPBoothy]

Thanks for you comments guys. I have only done one CX race so far but intend doing more this year. Despite it being knackering it was great fun. I'm not happy with the 'spindly' look of the Road wheels so I think they will have to go. My original CAADX with its 32 spokes always felt Bombproof and gave me the confidence to go anywhere. The other negative is that you can still limp home if you lose one of the 32, but one from 16 would no doubt leave me walking. They are new Shimano Wheels, with new Specialised Flak-Jacket Tyres so should sell easily enough.

Thanks again everybody you have helped make my decision for me

 

[JPBoothy]

The oe wheels would have been fitted for their application and obvious strength, and TBH if I was riding CX again I'd definitely want, or rather need 32 spoke buggers, but if you're the racing snake you say you are then you may well be OK, only way is to suck it and see I'd say.

There is obviously off road and then there's 'off road', so it will also depend on the severity of tracks you plan on riding.

Fair play to your LBS though, they could have easily just said yup you need new wheels do you want to order some.

That said if in doubt just replace them and flog the road wheels to offset the cost.

Have you any recommendations for a decent set of 32 CX Spokers that won't break the bank?

 

[smokeysmoo]

Have you any recommendations for a decent set of 32 CX Spokers that won't break the bank?

TBH I've never bought any, I've only used the stock DT Swiss rims that came on the Focus CX bike I used to have but they held my not inconsiderable bulk over some rough surfaces for a good few months.

FWIW they were just rim brakes as well, not sure if you need rim or disk.

 

[vickster]

Maybe @Spoked Wheels can help with handbuilts

 

[JPBoothy]

TBH I've never bought any, I've only used the stock DT Swiss rims that came on the Focus CX bike I used to have but they held my not inconsiderable bulk over some rough surfaces for a good few months.

FWIW they were just rim brakes as well, not sure if you need rim or disk.

I am an old fashioned Cantilever chap (just old fashioned generally according to my kids!) so it's rim brake compatible wheels that I need. Typically there seems to be loads of cheapish disc wheels around when you don't need them. I have just spotted a set of Campag khamsin CX wheels on offer from Wiggle + Evans at just over £100. They only have (18/20) spokes but are apparently built specifically for CX and the reviews are mainly good.

Too good to be true maybe?

 

[Drago]

What do you mean by you're a "heavy" rider? I'm North of 18 stones and have never had a problem with any wheel.

 

[outlash]

I am an old fashioned Cantilever chap (just old fashioned generally according to my kids!) so it's rim brake compatible wheels that I need. Typically there seems to be loads of cheapish disc wheels around when you don't need them. I have just spotted a set of Campag khamsin CX wheels on offer from Wiggle + Evans at just over £100. They only have (18/20) spokes but are apparently built specifically for CX and the reviews are mainly good.

Too good to be true maybe?

The Khamsins are effectively Fulcrum 7's with a different sticker on. In my experience, they should be fine. The only real difference between the road & CX wheels are the CX versions have an extra set of seals to keep the crap away from the bearings. AFAIK the rims & spokes are the same.

 

[JPBoothy]

The Khamsins are effectively Fulcrum 7's with a different sticker on. In my experience, they should be fine. The only real difference between the road & CX wheels are the CX versions have an extra set of seals to keep the crap away from the bearings. AFAIK the rims & spokes are the same.

Yes, I think I'll give them a go. Campag don't usually make crappie products. Apparently the Freewheel is quite noisy just like with Fulcrums, but I'm sure I can live with that.

 

[TheJDog]

I'm a heavier than average rider I've had a pair of fulcrum 5s on my commuter for ages, absolutely no problems, panniers, you name it. For my weekend road bike I bought a paid of handbuilt H+Sons Archetypes (16/20 with assurances from the builder that they'd be fine) and had two broken rear spokes in a couple of months and don't ride them any more. I really should sell them to a lighter rider...

So the long and short of it is - depends.

 

[Spoked Wheels]

For my weekend road bike I bought a paid of handbuilt H+Sons Archetypes (16/20 with assurances from the builder that they'd be fine)

H+ Plus Son don't do rims for 16 spokes. the lowest you can get is 20 h.

It's disturbing that a builder would build a rear wheel with 20 off the shelf spokes, they are just not strong enough.

Yes, I think I'll give them a go. Campag don't usually make crappie products. Apparently the Freewheel is quite noisy just like with Fulcrums, but I'm sure I can live with that.

Maybe you didn't read or understood @Yellow Saddle post. If I were you I would put the £100 towards something more durable or if budget is an issue then you might have to go second hand or something heavier but also cheaper.