Stan's NoTubes Grail Disc Road Wheelset

[Ryld]

I just got the Stan's NoTubes Grail Disc Road Wheelset for my transamerica tour I'm going on June 10.

https://wordpress.com/read/blogs/146531580/posts/45

I could try and do the Fulcrum 2009 carbon hub striaght pull blade spoke wheels I had rebuilt with knew rims and spokes in 2016:

https://www.google.com.mm/search?biw=1685&bih=785&tbm=isch&sa=1&ei=P9EPW5zEG9v5rQHouIT4Bw&q=fulcrum+racing+zero+2009+carbon+hub+wheels&oq=fulcrum+racing+zero+2009+carbon+hub+wheels&gs_l=img.3...45489.48946.0.50523.12.12.0.0.0.0.296.1460.2-6.6.0....0...1c.1.64.img..6.0.0....0.M4gbLSxdBSg#imgrc=zZa2zLwKDo_I3M:
 

but that is a logistics problem and hard to work on even with extra spokes. I figure I will get a gravel/tour bike sometime in the future with disc brakes so it makes sense to have some disc wheels I can use with it later.  I was told by an touring expert I could go with a road bike as long as I keep the weight under 20 kilograms / TEN KILOGRAMS 22 pounds. But, I thought it would be wise to go with 32 spoke wheels that are designed to take more damage points on the road before the die.  Did any of you all ride with Stan wheels for a long time? All the reviews I read say they are quality wheels.

[staehpj1]

I was told by an touring expert I could go with a road bike as long as I keep the weight under 20 kilograms /21 pounds.

20 kilograms = 44 pounds, so which is it?
I wouldn't go with moderately low spoke count wheels with 44 pounds of gear, but I would with under 20# (9kg).  Of course it also depends on what you weigh.  If you are 120# the bike would still be lightly loaded with 44# of gear, if you are 240#, then 44# makes for a much more heavily loaded bike.

[Ryld]

Right you are - it was about 21 or 22 pounds not 20 kilograms! I was thinking in pounds when I was meant to go science 10s metric. I a trim fellow so I should be good to go with 10 Kilograms or 22 pounds. I thought 32 spoke wheels would be the safer option seeing how I already bought a baby leg 11-32 cog set to ride with a smile up the Rocky Mountains. A 39x21 climbing set up is fine IF you are in great shape on a unencumbered road bike. Anyway, I will have to report on their performance on the tour.

[staehpj1]

A 39x21 climbing set up is fine IF you are in great shape on a unencumbered road bike. Anyway, I will have to report on their performance on the tour.

Yes, there are a ton of variables.  Rider fitness, preferred cadence, terrain, etc.  I remember a meeting few folks who were running pretty high gearing who were perfectly satisfied with it and even puzzled by the very low gear some were running.

It helps that the Trans America takes roads that are not very steep in the West.  I found the climbs in the Rockies on the TA to be very long, but usually 4-6% and only hitting 8% for short sections of longer climbs if at all.  The steep climbs in and out of river valleys in Missouri and the steep climbs in Kentucky and Virginia are steeper, but at least they are shorter.

If you were considering the Sierra Cascades route, I'd be a lot more concerned about getting lower gearing.  The SC is a whole different ball game than the TA IMO.