Heavy rider: Back wheel out of true and broken spokes

[mip]

I've owned my Revolution Cross since April, I've done just over 1000 km. In that time I've had the back wheel go out of true and wreck a set of brake pads and I've had two spokes break.

I'm a complete novice when it come to bike maintenance but the question I'm asking myself is have I been unlucky or as a heavy rider (~110 kg) do I need a stronger back wheel?

I'm not sure if this would make a difference but I don't have the Maxxis Raze 700x35 tyres the bike came with. I've fitted 700x28 road tyres.

Any advice greatly appreciated.

 

[Nearly there]

I doubt its your weight as there's heavy riders than you about I suspect the wheels aren't up to much as this is one area bike manufacturers tend to sacrifice to keep costs down however wheels should last longer than 1000 km,I would take your bike back to the shop and ask them to fix it as your bike should still be under warranty as the wheels shouldn't break so easily

 

[mip]

I would take your bike back to the shop and ask them to fix it as your bike should still be under warranty as the wheels shouldn't break so easily

Thanks for the reply. This is what I have been doing up to now but I'm getting fed up of being without my bike while it is fixed. I don't mind spending a few quid if it means I have fewer problems with the back wheel.

 

[Nearly there]

Do they keep giving you the same wheel back?as once spokes keep breaking usually the wheel needs re-built however i'd ask for a new one.
I was heavier than you when my 32h stock rear wheel kept breaking spokes so i returned the wheels to the shop and they replaced them with 44h wheelset so 20 spokes less over the set previously and they've been spot on but the quality is better.

 

[mip]

Do they keep giving you the same wheel back?as once spokes keep breaking usually the wheel needs re-built however i'd ask for a new one.
I was heavier than you when my 32h stock rear wheel kept breaking spokes so i returned the wheels to the shop and they replaced them with 44h wheelset so 20 spokes less over the set previously and they've been spot on but the quality is better.

I've only had two spokes break. I found the second broken this morning. I've done <100 km since the last one was fixed.

Excuse my ignorance, what's the difference between 32h and 44h?

 

[Nearly there]

I've only had two spokes break. I found the second broken this morning. I've done <100 km since the last one was fixed.

Excuse my ignorance, what's the difference between 32h and 44h?

front wheel 20 spokes rear 24 spokes=44 spokes on new wheelset,old wheels 32 spokes each wheel=64 spokes.
when my wheel kept breaking spokes everytime I got my wheel back id get about 100k out of it too before the next break it was my local bike shop mechanic that advised me to return the wheels as he was shocked that I was breaking spokes after such a sort time of owning the bike,Im assuming your not jumping off kerbs etc.

 

[mip]

front wheel 20 spokes rear 24 spokes=44 spokes on new wheelset,old wheels 32 spokes each wheel=64 spokes.
when my wheel kept breaking spokes everytime I got my wheel back id get about 100k out of it too before the next break it was my local bike shop mechanic that advised me to return the wheels as he was shocked that I was breaking spokes after such a sort time of owning the bike,Im assuming your not jumping off kerbs etc.

OK, thanks. No I haven't been jumping off curbs. I've hit a few pot holes but nothing I would expect to damage a wheel.

Looks like I should ask for a new wheel?

 

[Nearly there]

Looks like I should ask for a new wheel?

Its your consumer right good luck

 

[Hip Priest]

Hi mate. I've had the same problem with my Revolution Courier (see recent 'Riding on broken spokes' thread). Wonder if we have the same wheels?

 

[mip]

Hi mate. I've had the same problem with my Revolution Courier (see recent 'Riding on broken spokes' thread). Wonder if we have the same wheels?

Maybe?

 

[PpPete]

Sadly EBC are not the only otherwise reputable brand that seem to suffer wheel problems.
I've recounted my issues with wheels on a Specialized Secteur elsewhere on these pages.

I'm not saying it is every one that suffers - probably only a small %age, but when there is cost pressure (or building down to a price) something tends to give.

In the case of Spesh, my "theory" goes like this.
Quality of components - adequate (but no quality control)
Build - good, but no "feel" - probably done on a machine
End of build QC - It's "true" it must be good
Result - a rogue rim that had a natural "pringle" to it slipped through, needing very unequal spoke tensions to produce a true wheel, not detected at wheelbuilding factory, not detected at Specialized's assembly, not detected at PDI..... but started to show problems after 20 miles and failed utterly within a few 100.

Maybe a different problem with EBC's but you get the drift....

Solution - insist the dealer provides a NEW wheel, not a repair. Chances are the replacement will be one the 90 something % that are OK.

Sadly, in the case of my buddy with the Spesh..... he took it back to the shop THREE times to get loose spokes tightened prior to setting off on a long tour. Third day in to tour, miles from nearest dealer..... oh dear !

 

[mip]

Thanks @PpPete I appreciate you post. In a way it's a relief to find out that it's probably only a duff wheel.

 

[gwhite]

When buying a modestly priced bike such as the one in the OP, it's to be expected that wheel quality will suffer. It's a very good idea before using the wheels to have them tensioned, trued and de-stressed by a wheel-builder. Even if the quality of the wheel components is not high, it is the building which is paramount if spokes breakage is to be avoided. The vast majority of these are caused by insufficiently tensioned spokes which will break (usually at the elbow) due to the continual flexing.

 

[Nebulous]

I have an EBC tourer, almost ready to go for its free 6 week service and the wheels and tyres are pretty grim. Spoke tensions are all over the place, with some that don't appear to be under any tension at all. I intend asking for them to be tensioned at the service.

Realistically though I'm not sure I could expect much more. Longer term aim is to build / get built a decent set of touring wheels with a hub dynamo and good touring tyres. I've got the dynamo, and would buy the rest of the bits, but can't work out what spoke length I need!

 

[mip]

Well I dropped the bike off yesterday evening at EBC and when I picked it up this evening I had two new wheels. Shimano R500s, we'll see how I get on with these, hopefully no more broken spokes.