Worst Wheelset Ever

Box rim (ie open pro) with 36 spokes on each wheel. Tiagra hub should be about right.
However, if you feel like you're spinning out 54x11 on the flat with no tailwind, then you either need to learn to get your cadence above 90 or you need to be riding for a ProTour team now!

Thanks again to everyone that has posted a comment. No, I am not kidding around about wanting to ride a super slow wheelset!

For strenght I sometimes ride 3-4 rides exclusively in the 54*11 gear. And no I am not going 34mph, but sometimes I do get inspired and just keep it at around 70-75 rpms.

Getting a cheaper bike would be ok. I have actually been looking for an aluminum cervelo soloist in ebay in a 51 to buy, but not many around...

I want to ride the same frameset as I am already used to my bike. I have read a thread where the spinergy spox wheelset was horrible, so that may be a cheap alternative, just try to pick up the wheelset up on ebay and see how it goes.

As for tighning my brakes I dont feel comfortable. I am actually known for having my brakes super open because I dont want the brake rubbing.

For the next 2 months am only going to be training so ultimate speed is not important, but i dont want to wear out my brakepads for no reason.

well, i don't know how crazy you may be, but your premise may be on the dubious side...if covinced you need more resistance, train harder! sounds like an oversimplification, i know, but the use of higher gears for shorter duration to allow higher output over time, riding headwinds for added resistance, using tailwinds for motorpacing style speedwork, spinning low gears for leg speed, even availing yourself of a multi story parking structure for hill simulatin', these tactics would all fit into the kind of more resistance strategy you seek...my philosophical opposition to the premise here is based on real world training and cause/effect experience. wish i had some flats to ride on sometimes...

some of the methods offered so far in response here are subject to being expectedly ineffective, to wit, the tightening of bearings leads to premature wear and does not offer that much more resistance if they are to be expected to last, heavier wheels are known to not effect rotational resistance, but only add to the overall weight of the bike (if it is weight you want wear a pack), wider tires/lower inflatin' may actualy create less rolling resistance studies show, sitting upright does not replicate a racing position so would not be the most beneficial for race specific training...

anyone ever read the maynard hershon book "tales from the bike shop" ?

one story, with both ironyn and parody in it is entitled "miles" and prerequisite reading for those looking to train using methods other than, well, miles.

all this being said, i have two modest suggestions for equipment that will provide more wind resistance, which for the rider travelling at over 25mph is the most influntial factor on resistance on the bike motor (the rider).

1. lace up a front wheel with a 48 spoke radial configuration, you know, tandem stuff, using the widest bladed spokes available, wheelsmith ace's, and turn those spokes into the wind by rotating them 90 degrees so the flat portion of the blades are at 90degrees to the direction of the bike, this will churn the wind enough to provide resistance i hypothesize. use of loctite on the nipple threads may serve to hold the blades in position, some inspection and periodic adjustment may be found necessary.

2. grab another helmet or two, and attach them to the top of you primary helmet (you do wear one, or is this thread and all these ideas borne out of thought processes which result from cranial impact symptoms?)
using tie wraps and perhaps duct tape, this will also be expected to add wind resistance...'long with the added benefit of developing the neck region of the cyclist, which often resembles a pencil.

smokey26_02 said:

This may sound weird but I am trying to build the worst wheelset ever. What do I mean by worst ever, I want to build the slowest wheelset!

Why? Not only because am crazy, but because I want to use it for training.

I want to build a wheelset that is going to take a lot of extra power to maintain and accelerate to speed compared to other wheelsets.

Can anyone please tell me which are the worst spokes, aerodynamically, as well as other tips to making the slowest wheelset possible?

This training idea does seem a little odd. Most people build training wheels so they can have a more durable cost effective set for day to day thrashing, not to slow themselves down at all!

Normal training would suggest working harder by going faster, or going further/longer, or hill training instead of flats.

If you really want to ride your race frame then running wider tyres at lower pressure will have the feeling of riding through mud. Put a higher rise on the stem to have you in a less aero position (but this may effect you race day as your body is more used to the more relax position).

For the wheels weight isn't going to make a big difference. Common sense training wheels (which are slower than low spoke deep rims) would be ultegra hubs (last well and easily serviced) with box setion rims (get wider ones since you WANT them low aero) and 36 spokes should be easily achieved.

I personally think if you want to do something really different for training, and you ride consistant terrian, then go fixed gear single speed. Get a strong frame that allows the same leg geometry and bar reach/drop. The single speed will imporve your spin on the fast parts of the road, and improve your strength on the slow low rpm sections. Run wheels similar to above.

When you get back on your race bike it will feel like stepping into a F1 car. Your pedalling technic will be better (increasing your effiency) your power out put will likely be higher, and you haven't risked damaging or crashing your very nice race bike! The single speed will have all the attachments for lights and reflectors etc, and you'll be less concerned with curb hopping and pot holes. Less maintaince required as well.

Ask your local bike shop or frame builder, a new (or used) single speed training bike will likely be cheaper (and more fun) than you expect.

You want heavy wheels? Try a tandem wheelset. 40+ spokes, massive hub, massive rim...

Of course, if this is for training, why not just get the whole tandem and find a lazy stoker? Granted, it handles like a truck, and the catcalls of 'he's not pedaling back there' will actually be true, but you will get a workout.