Broken Spoke Advice

[gb155]

I was used to breaking spokes on my roadie when I was 20 stone +, but this week I have done it again, twice and I'm a little confused as to why.

Im under 15 stone, so are the wheels just crap ? Formula RB-52 Hubs on Jalco DRX 4000 rims. (Just noticed that whats Evans list them as but my Rims say R3.0 on them)

Both times it happened was when I was out of the saddle, not really sprinting but going from around 20 Mph to around 30 Mph , is the broken'ness just caused by my super awesome'ness

OR am I not as light as I still need to be to avoid this Pain in the ass ?

If its a case of needing stronger wheels, I dont want to go down the Ridga Churna route again, as strong as they were, I'd be looking for something a little more in keeping with my Cannondale, so if you say I need a new wheel, can you also throw out some retrogradations too please.

Thanks

Gaz

 

[PeterD]

Hi Gaz
I personally have never used these wheels, but before wedging out on a replacement set I suggest you get the wheels re spoked and tensioned. Without knowing if you are replacing single spokes or if it is a bike shop (who would normally check all the wheel spoke tensions) a re build should solve your problem. This link is worth reading. . My link We have 15+ stone athletes riding 20/24 aero spoke carbon wheels so I doubt if its caused by your weight. Good luck.

 

[martint235]

I wouldn't worry about it too much. Spokes break, it happens. I run a 32 front and 36 rear and still break the occasional one.

Take it into the shop and ask them to fit another one. They'll do all the re-tensioning etc to make the wheel right. Ask for a couple of similar spokes when you pick the bike up. I've found it really difficult to find out what length of spoke I need so I just get an extra couple when I get a new one fitted. It means that hopefully I can repair the odd broken one myself.

 

[Bodhbh]

I had a couple of back wheels that where always popping spokes, I wasn't heavy but was using them with touring loads. In the end I just replaced them with handbuilt ones from Spa and end of propblem. It would probably have been more economic to have them rebuilt at the LBS, but I started not to trust them they bodged up another job. Get a quote for the LBS to rebuild the whole wheel vs the cost of a new handbuilt one from a respected wheelbuilder and make a call?

(my LBS charged 30quid for replacing spokes and 1-2 week queue each time, Spa cycles built and shipped a new handbuilt wheel for 90quid over the weekend, so...).

 

[fossyant]

Gaz, it's nothing to do with weight.

All I'll say is relatively cheap factory built wheels do snap spokes. It's often down to too little or too much tension or un-even tension.

I have regularly snapped lots of spokes on my el cheapo MTB wheels, but I've got lots of spare spokes from the previous wheel, and it's just my mess about bike.

I have never snapped a spoke on the road bikes in 25 years of riding. The clue is I've always had handbuilts or quality factory wheels.

I've currently got two sets of handbuilts - one set of CXP33's on Formula fixed hubs (work bike) and a set of CXP33 on Dura Ace (best bike), and also a set of Mavic Aksiums (spares for the turbo) and some Ksyrium Equipe wheels (training bike).

The Ksyrium range is very good - starting with the Equipe for a bit over £220 upto £500 for the super light ones. You could also look at the Fulcrum range.

Your other option is to get a number of spare spokes, and replace them yourself - only takes a jiffy. I'd also recommend increasing the tension a little on all of them.

 

[fossyant]

I'd recommend Wills Wheels, Rick Greens or Surosa for handbuilts (had wheels from the first two without any problems)

 

[John the Monkey]

Fossy is right.

Your options are to have the wheel rebuilt by someone who knows what they're doing, or plump for newies (or keep replacing spokes, I guess).

I'd second the recommendation for Rick Green's (in Handforth - you could pop down on the train from Manchester quite easily, or ride out to Handforth). Paul Green (Rick's son) built the last set of wheels I had done for my roadie (a commuting set, DRC ST18 rims on Tiagra hubs - not fancy, but they feel lovely). Have a chat about what you want from the wheels, and they'll come up with something that'll work for you.

I have a set of Mavic Aksiums, but having ridden handbuilts, I'd not buy a factory wheel again, personally (if only because the spokes can be a bugger to obtain should you need to replace one).

 

[gb155]

Thanks Guys


Sooooo, if I went down the route of a new set of wheels, what for a budget of £80 per wheel would you guys suggest ?

 

[goo_mason]

Thanks Guys


Sooooo, if I went down the route of a new set of wheels, what for a budget of £80 per wheel would you guys suggest ?

Just a thought - are there any branches of the Edinburgh Bike Cooperative near you? I went on their wheelbuilding course last year, and pre-ordered the required parts (from them and from another online retailer) and came away with a lovely set of hand-build wheels. On a budget of £160 you should manage the cost of the course & the parts if you shop around online for them).

You also come away with the skills required to build, re-build & repair your own wheels in future as a bonus!

 

[John the Monkey]

Sooooo, if I went down the route of a new set of wheels, what for a budget of £80 per wheel would you guys suggest ?

I wouldn't go Mavic for rims (unless the prices have decreased recently). I'm happy with my DRC & Tiagra, although they're not very bling. At the time (2008, I think) they cost me £118 built. Seriously, have a word with Paul at Rick Green's, he knows his stuff.