Wh-R535 wheelset question

Quoted post said:

Originally posted by nussmier
I have a set of shimano wh-r535 wheels and was wondering what peoples opinions of touring on this wheel is. I weigh about 190 and will be doing a self contained tour. I estimate maybe about 30lb of equip in rear panniers. Will this wheel stand up or should I bring 1000 spokes or a new hub along? If not any idea on a better rear wheel I could use that wont cost me an arm and a leg.
Thanks

I'd have a custom wheelset built up for you with at least 32 spokes. I find the R540's (same wheel) pretty flexy as is, and I'm only 130lbs. Not to mention the huge problems that would be caused by a broken spoke. With a 32 spoke wheel, it would go out of true, you'd open the bread caliper and ride to get it fixed. With the Shimano's you'd be stuck walking.

I weigh about 187lb and have had 2 535 hubs fail on me. Good basic wheel for smaller people but if you are a bit bigger and intend carrying things it might be worthwhile getting a nice wheel built up on a CXP33. As the above also noted, if you break a spoke you just cant keep riding and repair it that night. Once a spoke breaks its "wheel against the stays" material and has to be fixed before you can move on.

Quoted post said:

Originally posted by nussmier
I have a set of shimano wh-r535 wheels and was wondering what peoples opinions of touring on this wheel is. I weigh about 190 and will be doing a self contained tour. I estimate maybe about 30lb of equip in rear panniers. Will this wheel stand up or should I bring 1000 spokes or a new hub along? If not any idea on a better rear wheel I could use that wont cost me an arm and a leg.
Thanks

What size tires will you use?
If you will use 32 mm and up I would suggest a wider rim as well.
36 spokes is not a bad idea, but with a high quality build and good rim, you can do with 32 spokes.
32 mm wide tires help cushion the ride of the unsprung load as well. Mavic T519, T520, or Bontrager Fairlane, or Ritchey Trekking , or Sun Rhyno Lite, or Velocity Dyad are all worthwhile choices.
I favor a rear rim that uses an offset spoke bead to even up the rear spoke support angles and help share the load more evenly.
The Bontrager Fairlane and Ritchey Trekking have this feature available.
Another poster mentioned Mavic CXP33 as a good choice. I have a teacher friend that tours regularly on CXP33 rims. He does't break spokes and his wheels stay true. He is in the 175 lb. range.