| My Rating System | |
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Outstanding choice. Matches rider weight and road conditions perfectly. |
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Excellent. Matches rider weight and road conditions but other choices are also suitable. |
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Very Good. Matches rider weight and road conditions but other choices provide better performance. |
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Average. Too heavy or too light for rider weight or road conditions. Other options will provide better performance. |
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Below Average. Still a good product but choose another option. |
| Alloy Rim Recommendations based on rider weight | |||||
| rider weight | under 140 lbs | 140–165 | 165–190 | 190–225 | 225+ |
| Ambrosio Excellight | |
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no | no |
| Ambrosio Excellence | |
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no |
| Ambrosio Evolution | |
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| Ambrosio Nemesis | |
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| DT RR415 | |
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no | no |
| DT RR465 | |
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no |
| DT RR585 | |
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| DT TK540 | |
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| HED C2 | |
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| Kinlin XR-270 | |
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no |
| Kinlin XR-300 | |
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| Kinlin TB-25 | |
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no |
| Stan's Alpha 340 | |
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| Velocity A23 | |
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| Velocity Major Tom | |
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This chart considers rider weight only. Lower ratings are partly based on availability of other/better rim options. Conditions may require a different rim and/or tweaking the spoke count. |
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| Alloy Rim Recommendations based on conditions | |||||
| conditions | race/sportive, smooth roads | race/sportive, rough roads | lightweight touring, smooth roads | lightweight touring, rough roads | cyclocross/dirt roads |
| Ambrosio Excellight | |
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no |
| Ambrosio Excellence | |
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| Ambrosio Evolution | |
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| Ambrosio Nemisis | |
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| DT RR415 | |
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no |
| DT RR465 | |
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| DT RR585 | |
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| DT TK540 | no | no | no | |
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| HED C2 | |
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| Kinlin XR-270 | |
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| Kinlin XR-300 | |
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| Kinlin TB-25 | |
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| Stan's Alpha 340 | |
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no | no | |
| Velocity A23 | |
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| Velocity Major Tom | |
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This chart considers conditions only. Lower ratings are partly based on availability of other/better rim options. Heavier riders require a stronger rim or more spokes. A note on rim type: Wheelsets with box section rims like those from DT, Ambrosio and Velocity are great for smoothing out the ride of a bike that feels a bit harsh and/or for riding on rougher roads. Use 30 mm semi-aero alloy rims on your smoothest riding bike. |
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| Spoke Type Guide | |||||
| rider weight | DT Competition | DT Super Competition | DT Revolution | DT Rev/Comp rear | DT AeroLite |
| under 140 | |
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| 140–160 | |
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| 160–180 | |
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| 180–200 | |
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no | |
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| over 200 | |
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no | no | no |
There are no weight limits for any DT spokes but riders over 180 lbs. might find Revolutions to have a bit too much spring and flex. But I have heard of exceptions to that rule. In some cases Revolutions are not the best choice for low spoke count (under 24) everyday wheels in my opinion. |
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| Alloy Wheels Spoke Count Recommendations | |||||
| rider weight | Road Race | Cyclocross/Dirt | Sportive | Training | Unloaded Touring |
| under 140 | 20/24 | 24/28 | 24/28 | 28/28 | 28/28 |
| 140–160 | 20/24 | 24/28 | 24/28 | 28/28 | 28/32 |
| 160–180 | 24/28 | 28/32 | 24/28 | 28/28 | 32/32 |
| 180–200 | 28/32 | 32/32 | 28/32 | 28/32 | 32/32 |
| over 200 | 28/32 | 32/32 | 28/32 | 32/32 | 32/32 or 36/36 |
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These are my minimum recommendations for front/rear spoke counts with most alloy rims. Exceptions may apply. For example, HED C2 builds with 24/28 spoke count have a weight limit of 225 lbs. and are suitable for most conditions. Some classic box style rims like DT RR415/465 and Ambrosio are not available in drillings less than 28 hole. Contrary to modern trends and hype for fewer spokes, for everyday wheels it is never a bad idea to ride higher spoke count wheels than what is now common. A well-built 28–28 or 28–32 spoke wheelset provides stunning overall performance without sacrificing aerodynamics significantly and provides the best "road feel." For event wheels, when aerodynamics really matter, go for a low spoke count that matches your weight and condidtions. |
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| ENVE Carbon Wheels Spoke Count Recommendations | ||||||||
| rider weight | 1.25 Tubular | 1.45 Tubular | 2.45 Tubular | 1.65 Tubular | 2.65 Tubular | 45 Clincher | 65 Clincher | |
| under 140 | 18/20 | 18/20 | 18/20 | 16/20 | 16/20 | 18/20 | 16/20 | |
| 140–165 | 20/24 | 20/24 | 18/24 | 20/24 | 16/24 | 18/24 | 16/24 | |
| 165–190 | 24/28 | 20/24 | 20/24 | 20/24 | 20/24 | 20/24 | 20/24 | |
| 190+ | 24/28 | 24/28 | 24/28 | 24/28 | 24/28 | 24/28 | ||
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SES 3.4 and 6.7 (clincher and tubular) are 20 spoke front and 24 rear. Guidelines are ENVE's recommendations. For the toughest conditions, adding spokes and using DT Competition is an option. Radial front is the standard build, 2 cross is an option. The 2.45 and 2.65 rims are stiffer, stronger and reinforced. All ENVE rims are suitable for everyday wheels. There is no rider weight limit within reason. |
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