Need help choosing wheelset...

[Meek One]

I have a newbie friend who is fairly large at 200lbs and he just seems incapable of learning how to bunny hop his bike at speed to avoid bumps and thus tends to destroy rims rather quickly. What would be a good strong inexpensive wheelset for him? Perhaps something built for cyclocross, which I would think would be a tougher wheel. Thanks.

[napcop]

I also weigh in at #200 (or so) and am in the market for a new wheelset. I considered FSA R-400 and opted for the Easton (formerly Velomax) Circuit. Colorado Cyclist has them now for $400 w/ free shipping, regularly $500 & $21 to ship. Read some reviews and search the forums for info...they sound to be a bargain from my research. The spoke technology seems to be geared for we non-petites. Some even use them for cycle cross. Ordering mine this week...can't give a 'user's report' yet.

[PeterF]

I have a newbie friend who is fairly large at 200lbs and he just seems incapable of learning how to bunny hop his bike at speed to avoid bumps and thus tends to destroy rims rather quickly. What would be a good strong inexpensive wheelset for him? Perhaps something built for cyclocross, which I would think would be a tougher wheel. Thanks. I've got a few cheeseburgers on your friend (hmmm burger...) and I ride a set of Kysrium Elites and Campy Protons. The Protons are about $400 a set and after about 4k miles and some pretty nasty potholes they are still perfectly true. The Ksyrium Elites are tough too, although I did wreck one. Bunny-hopping will help, but not as much being prepared for the bumps. If you're prepared, you can take on most holes, just by unweighting a bit. Some folks will suggest open pros rims with 36 spokes, but I find the Protons to be just as sturdy and much lighter.

[Rideastrong]

Get some quality handbuilt wheels and call it a day.

Ultegra/Chorus hubs, 36h Mavic Open pro rim, and DT DB spokes w/ brass nipples w/ 3x lacing. That is your standard bomb proof/workhorse wheelset. If he wants something a little stronger he can always opt for a Mavic CPX 33 rim.

[StartTday]

Get some quality handbuilt wheels and call it a day.

Ultegra/Chorus hubs, 36h Mavic Open pro rim, and DT DB spokes w/ brass nipples w/ 3x lacing. That is your standard bomb proof/workhorse wheelset. If he wants something a little stronger he can always opt for a Mavic CPX 33 rim.
I completely agree... Open Pro rims are strong as hell... and the CXPs are damn strong.

They hardly ever go out of true.

[badkarma]

I completely agree... Open Pro rims are strong as hell... and the CXPs are damn strong.

They hardly ever go out of true.
This is my exact advice......I would highly suggest you get a pair of handbuilt wheels. Perhaps 105 or Tiagra hubs laced to a set of open pros. The Open Pros are light, and practically bulletproof. If I remember correctly, I was looking into buying some Open Pros laced to Ultegra hubs, and I believe I was quoted at $300 per pair.

Another option, talk to Mike Garcia at www.oddsandendos.com and tell him your situation and see what he recommends. I know people who have bought rims from him, they've been extremely satisfied with them, and his prices are very reasonable.

[el Inglés]

Get some quality handbuilt wheels and call it a day.

Ultegra/Chorus hubs, 36h Mavic Open pro rim, and DT DB spokes w/ brass nipples w/ 3x lacing. That is your standard bomb proof/workhorse wheelset. If he wants something a little stronger he can always opt for a Mavic CPX 33 rim.

if you need bullet proof wheels check out wheels designed for tandem use but if standard then :-
go for 105 not ultegra hubs ( bearings are the same so your paying over the odds for a few grams less ) and don´t fit db spokes - costs less and is stronger to use standards .

ps ¿ what tyre size are you running ? keep away from 20mm and use 23 or even 25mm .
¿ what tyre pressure ? try running it up near the max the tyres permit and if it´s too bouncy then lower them bit by bit .

sounds dumb but try taking your weight on the pedals rather than via your bumb - your legs should help absorb some of the shock .