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Wheelset for heavier cyclist.

Can anybody shed some light on an issue I have? My current wheelset is Fulcrum Racing 3's but on recent training runs I broke 3 spokes in a space of 4 weeks. I refuse to use them any longer. I feel that my weight of 13.5 stone is a problem but Fulcrum site states no weight restriction on any of their wheels. I emailed them but got no response. I have been checking out Shimano, Reynolds Assault clinchers and some others but remain undecided. I was recommended Mavic Ksyriums but the reviews about them is very mixed also. My bike is a Ridley Damocles and I feel there are a few years left in it yet. I have no problem spending on high end stuff but just want the right gear. I am not a lardo 13.5 stone but a reasonably fit one with an Irish triathlete as one of my training buddies but am really paranoid now about wheels. I realise I may just have had some bad luck but do need some help. Appreciate any input.  20

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7 comments

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allez neg | 11 years ago
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The basic wheelset from Hope (mono rs) is pretty robust on crappy Bedfordshire roads under my 90 kgs, and they use normal spokes too.

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step-hent | 11 years ago
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As everyone else says, that's clearly an issue with the wheels. Probably once the first spoke went, they weren't tensioned evenly when it was replaced and that put additional stress on other spokes. Most people seem to have no issues with Fulcrums at a wide range of rider weights.

That said, they are a low spoke count wheelset. If you want something more durable that still comes in around the same weight, try a handbuilt set with a higher spoke count - something like 28 front, 32 rear. Using, say, an H Plus Son Archetype rim, Ultegra hubs and some light spokes, you can get a very solid wheelset at a similar weight and price to the Fulcrums (plus you can replace rims, rather than the whole wheel, when they eventually wear out). Worth a thought, anyway..

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Bedfordshire Clanger | 11 years ago
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There's something wrong with the wheels not you. How old are they? Would they still be covered by warranty?

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Bedfordshire Clanger | 11 years ago
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There's something wrong with the wheels not you. How old are they? Would they still be covered by warranty?

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Colin Peyresourde | 11 years ago
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I ride Ksyeriums. They are bullet proof. Never had to test or tension the spokes, and they have never gone out of true (unlike my old Bontrager Racing X Lite).

They look the bong too.

I weigh 12.5 stone (probably).

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dave atkinson | 11 years ago
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same here, i rode a pair of R3s into the ground but never broke a spoke until the rims were pretty much worn out. and i'm a lot heavier than you too

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glynr36 | 11 years ago
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Something isn't right with the wheels/bad luck.
I weigh in at at 3 stone more than you and never had an issue at all with my Racing 3's.

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