Wheels Dilemma

Recreation Cycling
1

I have a 2002 Giant TCR 2 and have recently started riding again after taking a few years off. It came equiped with the standard 53/39 front crankset and 12-25 cog. I’ve just spent $4,500 changing to a 50/34 front to give my knees a break, but I now have a new problem: I’ve put on a bunch of weight since I was riding last and am now too bloody heavy for my wheels!

The TCR has Mavic CXP 21, 32-hole and they max out at 100 or 105kg. I’m about 120kg right now so I need stronger wheels. Went by my local bike shop, but they weren’t very helpful. Basically told me to ride my mountain bike until I lost weight and was under 100kg. Are there any 36-hole rims available in Taiwan? Surely, there must be wheelsets for touring bikes or cyclocross that I could buy?

2

You can get 36 hole rims but, not very common. The max weight is a recommendation more to do with warranty validation and safe parameters, I think, within reason you will be ok to ride. In all fairness to the bike shop, it’s not a bad idea. Alternatively you could ride a stationary bike at the gym. Good one you for not giving up mate.

3

You’ll be fine, just don’t bomb down hills at more thanb50 kph.

4

Makes for nervous riding with all the pops and pings coming from the spokes; think I’ll have the wheels checked tomorrow, as some of the spokes seem a little loose on the back wheel.