Cycle touring wheels carry a heavy load, far more than ordinary commuting bikes and road bikes.
As a result they must be reliable and sturdy, especially with heavy panniers on the front and rear, and the inevitable unexpected road surfaces and potholes they will encounter.
Don't skimp on quality here. if you do then you might find yourself with a broken wheel in the middle of nowhere.
Although the trend is towards lightweight hubs, spokes and rims, as technology improves, your focus should be on strong components.
On my bike, the rear hub, a Shimano product, worked perfectly but the mechanic said that after 10 years they can fail without notice. That was the last thing I wanted. So as a result I purchased a new rear wheel with sturdy components.
New bikes are often sold with inferior wheels, to keep the cost down, on a part of the bike that many overlook. So take care to be extra vigilant when purchasing the wheels of your new bike
I have avoided overloading my wheels by using a trailer to carry the load, this means the rear wheel has only 50% of the load that it would normally have. As a result I have never had any problems with broken spokes or buckled wheels.
Bike wheel Summary
- Don't overlook this crucial part of your touring cycle
- New bikes often have inferior wheels
- Invest in sturdy wheels for extra protection (but don't go overboard)
- Replace any rear wheels over 10 years old as the hubs might not be reliable.