One of the most enjoyable aspects of running RBR is the chance to shoot the breeze via email about all things cycling with fellow roadies – to swap knowledge and opinions, to share stories and learn new things. To help them, and for them to help me, learn more about our shared passion. That’s really…
The Wheel Builder Columnist My lifetime of cycling started at the age of 14, back in the early ’60s, in my native northern UK. I lived on the lower slopes of the Pennine hills and spent most of my youth riding up into the hillier parts of Lancashire, Yorkshire and Derbyshire with the local cycling…
In Part 2 of this “basics” series, I touched on the topics of spoke twist and stress relief. Today, I’ll talk about the need for equalized spoke tensions and which way to turn nipples – with a big tip that you won’t forget! Equal spoke tension When we tension all the spokes of a wheel,…
Question: I weigh 210 (aiming for a svelte 200 soon) and am dreaming of a cross-country ride in the next few years. What wheels should I use, aero or traditional 32 spokes? — Stan M. Coach Fred Matheny Replies: Call me an old fogy, but I like traditional three-cross 32-spoke wheels built with sturdy rims, especially for…
Question: I weigh 225 pounds and own a great bike with a Reynolds 853 frame, Time Millennium carbon fork, Ksyrium wheelset and full Ultegra group. Am I too heavy for this setup? Does my size create an unreasonable risk that the frame, fork or wheels will fail? — Aaron P. Coach Fred Matheny Replies: I don’t think…
