Big Boy Wheels

I don't think stock wheels are going to cut it.  I'm at about 185 and opted for custom wheels.  I went with Aeorhead rims, H2 Hubs and Sapim spokes.  If you talk with a good wheel builder you'll be able to have some wheels made that work best for your weight and that can be easily repaired.  You're going to need more spokes than your average joe.  I believe that my custom wheels are not only better than what most people are training on, but they were surprisingly cheaper.  You certainly won't get the bling factor that some other wheels offer, but I think custom wheels make a better statement.

Edited by DaveyG 2009-09-22 10:01 AM

I bought the Mavic Open Pros hand spun for about $250 and they are great.  My LBS guy said he has the same and they are bullet proof.

I'm 255 and rode Equipe wheels for a year (about 2700 miles and they stayed straight and true. I replaced them with aerospokes and they have been awesome as well.

Also Mavic offers a 2 year service plan for even if you break them

Thanks guess it is a mixed bag of responses  as most things usually are !!

Ksyrium wheels tend to be on the more "bullet proof" end of the scale.  You should be fine with them.

When in doubt, check with the manufacturer. Zipp and Hed, for example, clearly give the weight limitations of their wheelsets. Both make models specifically for heavier riders, and give the weight limitations for those products as well.

Are you looking for a training or racing wheel or one you can use for both?

I have been using this as a starting point to do research:

http://thatswhatshesaidaboutyourbike.blogspot.com/2009/07/top-nine-bombproof-wheels.html

I had some Vuelta wheels and they were solid when I started tri at about 250.  They are even slightly earo with 30mm of rim depth and bladed spokes.  I road them for over 1000 miles and never needed truing.

The shimano R-500 wheels they suggest came stock with my P2, and are solid wheels.  No problems so far after several thousand miles.

I have heard good things about the Neuvation.  They are light, strong, AND even can be used for cyclecross, so they should be pretty tough.

As for race wheels, I have the HED3 tri spokes, which are rated for around 300lbs I think.  ZIPP also makes clydesdale versions of the 303 (and another model that escapes me right now).  The Nimble Crosswinds have a cydesdale version as well.

Good luck.

Check out ROL wheels. They have "stout" build options. I train/race a pair of Race SLs on my roadie. My weight is usually in the 185-190 range. Beat the crap out of them and still true as the day I bought them. Relatively affordable compared to a decent pair of Mavics or Heds. Easton wheels are another good option for train/race wheels, and those can usually be picked up rather cheap too.