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Conference noted::bicycle

Title: Bicycling
Notice:Bicycling for Fun
Moderator:JAMIN::WASSER
Created:Mon Apr 14 1986
Last Modified:Fri Jun 06 1997
Last Successful Update:Fri Jun 06 1997
Number of topics:3214
Total number of notes:31946

1403.0. "Too Heavy for These Wheels?" by EGYPT::CRITZ (Greg LeMond - Sportsman of the Year) Fri Jan 05 1990 14:45

    	I'm looking for a new Bike. I was in Gamache's today
    	and looked at a Trek 1400. I liked the bike. However,
    	it comes standard with 32-spoke wheels with Matrix
    	hard anodized rims.
    
    	I weight 270 pounds. I know, lose some blubber.
    	Anyway, what are your opinions about me riding a
    	1990 aluminum bike with 32-spoke wheels. My two
    	concerns are:
    
    		1. Broken spokes
    
    		2. Wheel collapsing
    
    	Scott
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1403.1looks good; go for the 36...SHALOT::ELLISJohn Lee Ellis - assembly requiredFri Jan 05 1990 14:5512
    
    Scott, I'll just answer this here.  
    
    I don't have direct experience, but I'd go for 36 holes.  Wheels are
    eminently interchangeable.  Gamache should be able to swap out the
    32-holers for a 36-hole model.  The weight/airdrag penalty is minimal,
    compared with the added feeling of security.  As to the rest of the
    setup - aluminum frame, the anodized rims you mention - that should 
    be fine, I'd think.
    
    cheers,
    -john
1403.2Still got 38 pounds to go!NCDEL::PEREZJust one of the 4 samurai!Mon Jan 08 1990 01:1516
    I started out at 304 pounds last May.  At about 280+ I put new rims on
    and went for Mavic MA-40s because they were rated as VERY strong
    while staying light.  The recommended lacing from the local bike shop
    was to go 36 spoke 4-cross.  
    
    I did, and in over 1000 miles as consistently decreasing poundage (down
    to about 238 with the weight gain from Christmas) I've only had to
    retrue the wheels once.  I run Schwinn Record VR Kevlar belted tires
    and the combination has been very successful.
    
    As far as the frame - for no particularly good reason I'm aware of, I
    thought there were limits on rider weight for aluminum frames.  I was
    under the impression that over around 190 pounds, it was better to go
    with a steel frame.  I thought I read that in here, but I'm guessing...
    
    Dave Perez
1403.3Weight Limits on Aluminium FramesCESARE::JOHNSONMatt Johnson, DTN 871-7473Mon Jan 08 1990 03:4510
>    As far as the frame - for no particularly good reason I'm aware of, I
>    thought there were limits on rider weight for aluminum frames.  I was
>    under the impression that over around 190 pounds, it was better to go
>    with a steel frame.  I thought I read that in here, but I'm guessing...
    
    This is true of older aluminium frame styles, like the original Alan
    and Vitus.  With skinny tubes, they flexed a lot under load.  (160
    was probably a better limit than 190, though.)  
    
    I doubt if the newer frames would have this problem.
1403.4EGYPT::CRITZGreg LeMond - Sportsman of the YearMon Jan 08 1990 08:5011
    	I heard from a coupla people in this conference. I talked
    	to Gamache's. They're going to make me a set of 36-spoke
    	wheels with Shimano 600 hubs (cassette in rear) and Campy
    	Strada rims.
    
    	From what I've read, the newer aluminum frames are supposed
    	to be lighter/stronger than a comparable Cro/Mo frame.
    
    	Well, I'll see, and keep you posted.
    
    	Scott
1403.5JUPTR::CRITZWho'll win the TdF in 1990?Fri Apr 13 1990 14:086
    	Well, I just picked it up at lunch.
    
    	It's such an upgrade from my old TREK, I won't know
    	what to do with it (just kidding).
    
    	Scott