6800 wheels durability?

[jchi1234]

Hello, I´m wondering if my 6800 wheels are strong enough for cyclocross and gravel grinding. For reference, I live in southern California and the dirt roads here are generally pretty hard packed with some potholes and rocks. Thanks in advance.

[fromtrektocolnago]

I would contact Shimano directly on this. I've contacted them on their facebook page. If there are recommendations for off road use they will tell you. I would think larger tires would be the more important consideration however. Ultegra's are slightly lighter and more expensive versions of the tried and true RS81's and probably see 'some' abuse.

[dfischer1]

I use the 6700 wheels as my CX race wheels. I'm 165 and they are plenty strong despite the fact that they have like five spokes.

[jchi1234]

I would contact Shimano directly on this. I've contacted them on their facebook page. If there are recommendations for off road use they will tell you. I would think larger tires would be the more important consideration however. Ultegra's are slightly lighter and more expensive versions of the tried and true RS81's and probably see 'some' abuse.

I'm going to be running 30c tires so volume shouldn't be an issue. How is shimano on responding to FB messages?

[jchi1234]

I use the 6700 wheels as my CX race wheels. I'm 165 and they are plenty strong despite the fact that they have like five spokes.

That's good to hear, I'm about 115-120 pounds so I think I'll be fine, but have there been any issues? How old are they?

[Broady]

I ran these wheels for over a year with no problems at all, have recommended to a few others too, for the price they're great, very robust.

[mattr]

I've run far far less suitable wheels for cross. And recently I've been far nearer the 200lb end of the spectrum.......

The likely failures will be accidents or wearing the rims out. Just normal cx racing should be fine.

[fromtrektocolnago]

I would contact Shimano directly on this. I've contacted them on their facebook page. If there are recommendations for off road use they will tell you. I would think larger tires would be the more important consideration however. Ultegra's are slightly lighter and more expensive versions of the tried and true RS81's and probably see 'some' abuse.

I'm going to be running 30c tires so volume shouldn't be an issue. How is shimano on responding to FB messages?

Done it once, and I received a response back in less than a few hours. My question was about the rear derailleur cable as it relates to 9000 & 9100. The response was timely, informative and useful.

[F45]

I've run far far less suitable wheels for cross. And recently I've been far nearer the 200lb end of the spectrum.......

The likely failures will be accidents or wearing the rims out. Just normal cx racing should be fine.

XR31T wheelset - $300. Replacement rim, $75. Stiffer, wider, bead hook, normal $1.60 spokes, OC rear. Far, far better deal.

[mattr]

Yes, there are probably better wheels for cross at that price. But there's nothing wrong with the 6800s. They won't suddenly explode as soon as they see dirt.

[Briscoelab]

They are rock solid and will be fine.

[jchi1234]

They are rock solid and will be fine.

What about rs81s?

[F45]

rs81 will have a rim about 100g lighter. They will perform the same and have the same drawbacks - break a component and it will be $$$ to fix.