Will touring destroy my wheels.

[gavin_japan]

I am a roadie who is planning my first ever "credit card" Tour this summer.  I am planning 600 miles through OH, PA and NY.  I am putting a rack and panniers on my road bike.  I currently ride Mavic Ksyrium Elite wheels with 25mm tires.  I am 165 lbs.  Will a 20-25 lb static load on a rack have much more of an impact on my wheels than a 190 lb rider? (I know a 40 spoke Phil Wood wheelset would be better but I am trying to make do with what I have.)

This message was edited by gavin_japan on 6-5-06 @ 8:24 PM

[cyclesafe]

Thinking relative weight is the way to go.  If you weighed 190 lbs would you think that was too much for your bike?  I don't think so.  Bring a couple of extra spokes and an appropriate sized spoke wrench though.  LBS's will not stock your spokes.

You might think about getting a BOB trailer rather than racks and panniers.  If you decide to do unsuppported loaded touring in the future, as long as you stay on asphalt, you'll be good to go with your road bike.

[RussellSeaton]

I agree with cyclesafe, your wheels will be fine.  20-25 pounds is awfully heavy for credit card touring.  I'd suggest paring that way down.  Take an absolute minimum of stuff.  And then cut that in half.  And just use a big rack pack instead of panniers.  That way you can't haul more stuff than you need because you don't have extra room.

One thing about the weight of baggage is it is unsuspended.  Unlike your body which you can get off the saddle and use your legs as shock absorbers when hitting big bumps.  So your 165 + 25 baggage is not equivalent to a 190 rider.

Here is a minimal list that Jobst Brandt put together for his very lengthy credit card tours of the Alps.
http://www.trentobike.org/General/Packing_List.html

[cyclesafe]

Good point Russell.  I never considered that.

[gavin_japan]

The unsuspended weight is what I was most concerned with.  I know there are lots of guys bigger than me who have no problem with mavic wheels.

[dknapp]

Take a look at this and the discussions about Mavic wheels.  You may have to cut/paste this in.  It is one long line with no spaces.

http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?p=2621005&posted=1#post2621005