[tmhar28]

looking for a new wheel set , a couple of guys metioned fulcrum red metals. Any one use theses or hear anything good / bad about them. Am also a clyde about 300 lbs. lots of rocky , rooty riding mith some small jumps and drops(no more than 2 ft.)

 

[chowdownca]

speaking as a clyde..

that is also looking for a replacement wheelset, I would steer clear of them. They are a little on the narrow side (19mm) and they are only 28 spoke. For your size, I would be leaning towards at least a 32 spoke wheel if not 36. Flows, Salsa Semis or Gordos, WTB Speed Discs are the direction I would lean. For the price of the Fulcrum XLRs, you can get a nice custom set from a reputable builder (MikeSee) that will be bomb proof.

 

[tmhar28]

that is also looking for a replacement wheelset, I would steer clear of them. They are a little on the narrow side (19mm) and they are only 28 spoke. For your size, I would be leaning towards at least a 32 spoke wheel if not 36. Flows, Salsa Semis or Gordos, WTB Speed Discs are the direction I would lean. For the price of the Fulcrum XLRs, you can get a nice custom set from a reputable builder (MikeSee) that will be bomb proof.

thanks , was kind of thinking the same thing . I met a few guys who are runnin them and they came highly recomended by them . have got alot of info from mikesee will probally roll with him , but checking out my options.

 

[mtroy]

I have a set of MC wheels built as a bit of a clyde-test at the moment. They will be an article on twentynineinches.com pretty quick here as soon as we get the decks cleared a bit. MC is a great source for your needs. I suggest Flows unless you REALLY hammer your wheels, then, go up a notch.

 

[Boyonabyke]

I go 225 pounds, not 300, and my Flows, built up with Dave Thomas SpeedDream cut spokes and tensioned / built to his specs, have been rock solid. I also know JeffJ built his wheels and we also tensioned them with the same spokes /specs, and he goes 275. I don't know if he's ever had to retension or true since being built either.

When a wheel is built right and tensioned properly, it should go a long, long time and a lot of miles, provided you don't abuse it or exceed it's limits, before ever needing a touch up true.

My guess is that at 300 pounds, you will definitely want to go with more than a 530 gram rim like a Flow, if you ride hard and fast. You just flat out need more material there in the rim to handle the load. Maybe a Salsa Gordo or a Chris Holmes rim?

Another point worth mentioning.... do not chintz out on your hubs and axles at your weight/size, big guys destroy hubs with scary results when things fail and crack/explode/go boom.

I'm putting Dave Thomas out there as another option for you as a wheel builder to consider. Many will vouch for his wheel builds as top notch.

 

[frdfandc]

The only downside to boutique wheels like the Fulcrums is spoke replacement. Spokes aren't cheap - maybe $15 a piece. Thats a lot of coin for a spoke, and not every LBS carries them. Probably would be a special order from either BTI or QBP.