tandem wheel battle.

[fooferdoggie]

with the weight of our e tandem and that I wanted a tubeless setup the rear wheel has been a battle. The stock wheel just a Shimano Deore 36 worked fine but you can't even getto tubeless on the rim. its held up wheel. During the pandemic we had a 32 hole dt swiss wheel built and it lasted about 300 miles before the rim cracked. The builder replaced it but he tried something different and that caused it to fail even faster. so I took it to the top wheel builder and he used the same but new rim but it failed too. but unlike the other guy he got hold of velocity and they told him we would need like a 50 tire to make it work. sorry the wife would love it, but it won't fit.
I emailed the tandem builders and I could not find what I needed. two of the three. tubeless ready 36 spoke and can handle a 38 tire. I could find two of the three but not all three. one of the wheel companies I emailed responded a couple of months after they discovered my email. they have a wheel that would work but ouch on the price. but 36 hole tubless ready and can take our tire. but iwth a white industries hub. but with the through axle. so I had to save up and just got it today. only took one day of shipping as they are close to us. 36-spoke wheels are close to being dinosaurs.

 

[stompandgo]

We had a ten year old Rolf Tandem wheel fail because the rider hit a curb really hard. Rolf had one in stock and out the door the same day. They were very nice to deal with as well.

 

[Chazmo]

I hope the Rolf is tough enough for your use, @fooferdoggie . Sounds like @stompandgo approves of the company, and he works at a bike shop! Good luck.

p.s./ any idea why your usage on a tandem is so hard on the wheel(s)? I’m just curious. I hadn’t heard of that before (not that I know much about tandems).

 

[fooferdoggie]

I hope the Rolf is tough enough for your use, @fooferdoggie . Sounds like @stompandgo approves of the company, and he works at a bike shop! Good luck.

p.s./ any idea why your usage on a tandem is so hard on the wheel(s)? I’m just curious. I hadn’t heard of that before (not that I know much about tandems).

I think it was mostly the cliffhanger rim that could not take it. but it could be the need for 36 spokes. The stock wheel had 36 and he has been pretty good. Plus the weight with our junk is around 450 pounds plus we towed around our granddaughter.

 

[stompandgo]

Tandem wheels aren't special from a technology standpoint, they are simply heavy duty. Stronger rims, higher spoke count, straight (not butted) spokes, hubs with strong flanges. Wheel weight is not a major concern unless it's a racing bike. Longevity is the priority. They not only have to handle higher weight, it's also the torque of two riders on the rear wheel.

 

[Chazmo]

Learn something new every day, guys.

 

[fooferdoggie]

I wasted my money buying tape and a tubless valve they already did that for me.