Wheel set recommendation for a light rider?

[bing181]

This is for my wife, just over 52 kg/115 pounds. Though also me, I'm not much heavier and we mix and match.

This is for serious recreational riding: we don't race but try to push it. Where we are has no major climbs, but is rarely flat and is often quite windy.

I have Zonda C17s, and love the way they roll, but they're at the limit of being too clattery and harsh for me on rougher roads. My wife can't stand them.

Looking for recommendations for a wheel that would be a bit kinder than Zondas, but still carry speed well. Budget would go up to Racing Zeros but my understanding is that they're even stiffer than Zonda/Racing 3.

[Srode]

This is for my wife, just over 52 kg/115 pounds. Though also me, I'm not much heavier and we mix and match.

This is for serious recreational riding: we don't race but try to push it. Where we are has no major climbs, but is rarely flat and is often quite windy.

I have Zonda C17s, and love the way they roll, but they're at the limit of being too clattery and harsh for me on rougher roads. My wife can't stand them.

Looking for recommendations for a wheel that would be a bit kinder than Zondas, but still carry speed well. Budget would go up to Racing Zeros but my understanding is that they're even stiffer than Zonda/Racing 3.

what tires, tire size and pressure are you running?

[velodog]

what tires, tire size and pressure are you running?

And to add to this, will your bikes allow larger tires?

[Jay Strongbow]

You need bigger tires, better tires, less air pressure or some combination of the three. I think latex tubes help too.

New wheels will do virtually nothing to give you a smoother ride.

[tlg]

This is for my wife, just over 52 kg/115 pounds.

I have Zonda C17s, and love the way they roll, but they're at the limit of being too clattery and harsh for me on rougher roads. My wife can't stand them.

What pressure is she running? Hopefully not what's listed on the tire sidewall.

My wife weighs 90lbs. She rides at 50psi f/60psi on 23mm tires.

[Lombard]

First off, wheels have virtually no effect on ride comfort. The most effective shock absorbers on your bike are YOUR TIRES. If you're looking to improve comfort, look for wider tires, more supple tires (higher thread count - TPI) and run lower pressure. If your wife is 115lbs and running 25mm tires, her correct pressures are around 55 PSI F/65 PSI R. If she moves up to 28mm tires, you would drop that to around 45F/55R. Anything more is unnecessary and will not gain her any speed. Many people erroneously think more pressure is always faster. Remember, a harsh ride will FEEL faster, but isn't really faster.

[4slomo]

Custom wheels

[bing181]

Thanks all.

Running GP4000 sII in 25s across all these wheels. Some with latex. From the above comments, we can obviously drop the pressure a bit, though we're not too far off.

Don't agree that "it's all in the tyres". For years I ran Eurus/Neutron, and more recently, Zonda/Shamal, and in all cases, with the same tyres, tubes, inflation there's always been a difference - and at times a marked difference - in the comfort. Neutrons are more comfortable than Eurus/Zonda, while in my case, the Shamals are noticeable more comfortable (and smoother) than the Zondas - even though the Zondas are the wider C17 version.

[Kerry Irons]

Thanks all.

Running GP4000 sII in 25s across all these wheels. Some with latex. From the above comments, we can obviously drop the pressure a bit, though we're not too far off.

Don't agree that "it's all in the tyres". For years I ran Eurus/Neutron, and more recently, Zonda/Shamal, and in all cases, with the same tyres, tubes, inflation there's always been a difference - and at times a marked difference - in the comfort. Neutrons are more comfortable than Eurus/Zonda, while in my case, the Shamals are noticeable more comfortable (and smoother) than the Zondas - even though the Zondas are the wider C17 version.

The spoke pattern (and resulting rim construction) on those wheels can indeed change the ride, but as others have noted, tire pressure/width (and tire selection) will have a bigger effect. For someone as light as you two stay away from deep section rims as they would present problems in crosswinds. At your weight, assuming a reasonably "light" riding style, you can use low spoke counts/light rims. The problem is that low spoke counts lead to high spoke tension and therefore heavier rims to deal with it. A custom wheel is probably your best bet.

[changingleaf]

Like others have said, your biggest gain can be had from larger tires and less air pressure. If you want a lighter weight set that are less stiff the DT Swiss RR 411 alloy rim is a good place to start.

[bing181]

Thanks for the replies.

Just to update, getting considerable joy from Dura Ace C24's running 25 tyres. Perfect for me. My even lighter partner is happy on Shamal's running 25's - though she prefers a stiffer ride to me, and these are older Shamal's, so not sure if that also has something to do with it.