RIDER WEIGHT LIMITS
One of the benefits of our factory direct business model is that we can offer Nimble wheels in wide range of configurations to suit specific riders and riding styles.  If you do not find a standard set-up listed here to meet your needs, contact us.  We also build special order configurations not listed below.
ERW --
Effective Rider Weight
Take your body weight and create an Effective Rider Weight (ERW) by adding or subtracting adjustments based on your riding style and needs.  If you have multiple adjustments please contact us to walk through your choices.

Adjust-
ments

Style/Need

Adjustment
Time trial (TT) oriented, aero performance is paramount Subtract 15 lbs
Willing to trade performance gains for regular maintenance or replacement Subtract 15 lbs
Road racer, need extra lateral stability and extra stiff handling Add 20 lbs
Sprinter, need strong rear wheel torque, minimal wheel wind up Add 20 lbs rear
Want low maintenance more than performance Add 20 lbs
Recumbent 60% loaded rear wheel Add 25 lbs rear
Handcycle leaning frame drive wheel Add 55 lbs front

Limits

Sum adjustments from the ERW tables above with your weight, compare with wheel model limits listed below.  Questions?  Contact us. 

CW mass
Front Rear
Standard
Clydesdalec
Tandem
Handcycle
< 220 lbs
< 280 lbs 
< 380 lbs 
see note 
Standard
Clydesdalec
Tandemd
Handcycle
< 220 lbs
< 280 lbs 
< 380 lbs 
< 220 lbs 

FLY 
mass
Front Rear
      650 F6F12
F6F16
F6F20
F6F28c
Handcycle
< 125 lbs
< 160 lbs
< 190 lbs
< 250 lbs 
see note 
F6R24
F6R28
F6R32c
F6N18f
F6N24f
< 155 lbs
< 180 lbs
< 250 lbs 
< 175 lbs
< 220 lbs
      700 F7F16
F7F20
F7F24
F7F28c
< 140 lbs
< 170 lbs
< 200 lbs
< 250 lbs 
F7R24
F7R28
F7R32c
< 120 lbs
< 180 lbs
< 250 lbs 

Spider
mass
Front Rear
      650 S6F20
S6F24
Handcycle
< 140 lbs
< 180 lbs
see note 
S6R24
S6R28
S6N20f
F6N24f
< 140 lbs
< 180 lbs
< 175 lbs
< 195 lbs
      700 S7F24a
S7F24
S7F28a
S7F28
< 150 lbs
< 165 lbs
< 185 lbs
< 200 lbs
S7R28
S7R32
< 150 lbs
< 200 lbs
cClydesdale CROSSWIND and Horse FLY configurations.
dTandem CROSSWIND also available in extra reinforcement.
eHandcycle configurations for front drive wheels must be stronger on leaning bikes -- add 55lbs to rider weight when comparing to standard limits, i.e. standard CROSSWIND limited to 165 lb rider, Clydesdale to 225 lb rider.
fHandcycle configurations for rear paired wheels.

Lateral stiffness, wire wheel configuration and spoke gauge.
The lateral stiffness of a wheel also determines its match for a particular rider in a particular venue.  In wire spoke wheels (FLY and Spider) the lateral stiffness is primarily determined by the spoke harness.  The spoke structure stiffness is driven by the number of spokes, the gauge of the spoke (minimum sectional area) and the bracing angles set-up by the hub.  We build with several alternative spokes (also see spokes).  Spoke selection directly effects the wheel's lateral stiffness.  This stiffness difference can effect the match of configuration for certain riders (particularly light spokes with heavy riders and technical courses).  

Our medium spoke (2.0/1.7mm) is ~ 22% stiffer than our light spoke (2.0/1.5mm).  This effect is the difference in the minimum cross-section (1.7 squared versus 1.5 squared). This stiffness difference is substantially greater than the weight savings (22% stiffness versus <5% overall weight savings). Typically light spokes are used to save weight and reduce drag in wheels where low rider weight does not demand a higher lateral stiffness.  Another way to think about this stiffness difference is that it is equal to about one step in configuration spoke count (16 medium spoke wheel is similar to a 20 light spoke wheel in lateral stiffness and weight).  Given this equivalence we tend to only recommend light spokes on the lowest spoke count front configurations as an incrementally lighter offering. 

We use medium spokes in the majority of our rear wheels because they offer better support for both lateral stiffness and drive performance. A rear wheel has only 75% of the bracing angle of a typical front wheel so it needs 1/3 more spoke material to achieve similar lateral stiffness.  We will build some of our lowest spoke count rear wheels with half a complement of light spokes if the rider load and stiffness of the overall design permits it.  Again we do this as an incrementally lighter offering.  With our largest riders we can also build rear wheels with our heavy spoke (2.0/2.0mm).  If you have any questions, please ask. 

 

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