Max safe rider weight to run an 18 spoke front wheel?

Just curious like, what do you reckon the max safe rider weight is to run an 18 spoke front wheel? If the wheel is built properly of course. Perhaps rims would make a difference? But then the beefier the rims the more weight will be added. Ta :)

It would all depend on the wheel, some may be made for larger weights than others. What wheel do you have in mind?

It depends on the depth and strength of the rim and the quality of the wheel build. I've a front wheel with 18 spokes, but it's a 35 mm deep aluminium rim and I am not a beefcake by any stretch of the imagination.

I've no idea about rims I'm afraid, as in what to use, I was hoping for something pretty skinny to maximise the benefits of just 18 spokes, it's a Goldtech hub I picked up from fleabay for a song. But thanks both for the advice. Are there any very strong but light rims out there pref not deep v?

Deep V are not light.

How much do you weigh, fatty?

A lot depends on the build quality.

Deep V are not light.

How much do you weigh, fatty?

A lot depends on the build quality.

That's what I'm saying about Deep Vs, they're strong but not light and I'd like an alternative. I'm cough 19 cough stone. So it can be done but only if it's built well? Or stick to the heavier safer current 36 spoke and wait until some more poundage has been shifted?

You're heavier than me*. I use Ksyrium ES now and then and I think they are 18 spoke front. They've been fine but if I'm getting miles in I tend to use my 32h Open Pros. I don't see much point in heavier riders using lightweight setups.. eg. the only reason I have the Ksyriums is they came with the bike.
If you only do limited miles and on reasonable roads then you can get away with lower spoke counts but if it's anything regular I'd not bother. 32h has been fine for me. Just think though, the heavier your wheels, the less aero they are, the more work you do, the stronger and lighter you become.. THEN buy some lightweight wheels :)

*bet you fuckers never thought you'd see that!

How much do you weigh, fatty?

hippycrite

I assumed they would be the usual 70kg guy worried about their weight.. turns out I was wrong. Save the planet.. eat skinny people.

@hippy - Ha! You were wrong, 70kg more like two of those, but in my defence I am 6ft 3in (yes I know, still way too heavy). How tall/heavy are you out of interest? Thanks for the advice re your experience of fewer spoke wheels. Think I'll wait until I've shifted some more pounds before I build that hub up. The current wheels I'm running are the standard ones that came with the Fuji Track, they get slated regularly but I tweaked them by hand after doing a wheel-building workshop and they're holding up just fine. If a little on the heavy/basic side of things.

90-95kg depending on kebab season.

But 5ft 2in right? Hence your love of midgets?

The answer is simply: One spoke per stone. You'd need at least a 19-spoke wheel. If you're only one stone, you can ride a wheel with only one spoke, and so on. Elementary. Next!

I have 48 spoke wheels. Do I weigh 48 stone?
Or seeing as I have 2, do I weigh 96 stone? I'm confused.

You've got it.

Oliver; Nice one... I'm running a 16-spoke Shamal front atm... and I'm 16 stone :)

Ha!

Front wheels take very very little of your weight depending on geometry/posture, it's the back (obviously) that takes nearly all the weight. I'd have no problem running a well built 18 spoke wheel up front even if you were a great big bastard.

94kg 2 x 32h = ?

Front wheels take very very little of your weight, it's the back (obviously) that takes nearly all the weight. I'd have no problem running a well built 18 spoke wheel up front even if you were a great big bastard.

Just because you ride a sit up and beg.. :P
Some of us actually apply weight to the front of the bike.

Front wheels take very very little of your weight depending on geometry/posture, it's the back (obviously) that takes nearly all the weight. I'd have no problem running a well built 18 spoke wheel up front even if you were a great big bastard.

This is true.

But the front wheel is pretty stressed during deccents. I know which wheel I'd rather have fail at speed.

Saying that some nice American Classic 420 rims might do the job. Availible almost exclusively as a complete wheel. You can get the rims from some German sites though.

"I know which wheel I'd rather have fail at speed."

I know what you meant but that's not it. :)

Just because you ride a sit up and beg.. :P
Some of us actually apply weight to the front of the bike.

I've told you it's against UCI regulations to have a hamper tied to your handlebars.

Lies!

I've told you it's against UCI regulations to have a hamper tied to your handlebars.

Not really, it just hampers you a bit.