1. Look out for wheels with a deep rim - not those really aero ones, but the ones with about a 20-30mm deep rim.

2. Ensure that they've got at least 32 spokes and that those spokes are really strong and attached to a good quality hub.

3. Getting the wheel hand-built also makes a huge difference in strength. Factory-built wheels (like the ones that come with new bikes) are really soft, whereas a wheel hand-built by your local mechanic is much stronger.

I'm not sure which brands are making this style of wheel as i've had my Mavics for a long time now. I use the Mavic CXP30 rims (no longer made but you may find a picture on the web somewhere with a quick Google search) they've got a 30.5 mm deep rim and are the 32 spoke model. I got them hand built onto Shimano 105 hubs with slightly thicker spokes (heavier but stronger) than you find on a lot of the factory wheel sets. I'm ~220 lbs and this rim is bomb proof! It's only got out of alignment once in the last 3 years and i've only broken one spoke (after hitting a pot hole).

Hope this helps :)

Would somebody 185lbs have to worry about rim strength?

Jess,

Rim strength is only an issue for some of us bigger riders (~200 lbs plus) who are having trouble with wheelsets because of our heavier weights. I've never had a rim break on me, so don't worry about that. What a lot of us bigger riders experience (on weak wheel sets) are broken spokes when we put too much pressure on the front wheel or when we hit pot-holes and wheels that easily get knocked out of alignment or 'true'. I usually break spokes on weak wheels when i stand up, shift my weight to the front wheel, and take off from a stationary position at traffic lights or at the start of a sudden sprint. I then have to spend the rest of my ride with a rim rubbing against the break pads :mad:

Different rims, spokes and hubs give wheel different strengths. Lighter riders don't put as much pressure on wheels as heavier riders and although i'd love to ride a set of those ultra-light-weight wheels that Lance Armstrong uses i'm just too heavy. They're designed for lighter weight people (like Lance). A stronger wheel set is usually heavier as more metal is often required to make a stronger rim. It's that game where you try to have a bike as light as possible but not give up any strength. Unfortunately lighter often = weaker and wheel manufacturers are constantly working to improve the strength to weight ratio of wheels (and frames and all other components for that matter).

Don't worry about your wheels unless you're having heaps of trouble with broken spokes or wheel alignment. If in doubt see your local mechanic.

Happy riding.

Howdy,

I ride a pair of Mavic Ksyrium Elites and have put on about 1000 miles now. When I bought them I weighed about 215 but am now down to 195 (thanks to training for IM WI!). I have been very happy with these wheels. They are super rigid, are still perfectly true, and roll very smooth. I'm not too sure what your price range is, but you can find deals on them if you look around. I actually used my annual 25% off coupon for my REI membership to pick a pair up, so I got them for about $425. I've been very happy with them.

have never seen anyone's wheels break due to the pressures exerted by the rider alone...
that being said - im sure ANYTHING can happen...