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[markyboy22]

Hi

Just wondered if anyone could offer any advice on a problem I'm having with my bike. I started riding properly again about 4-5 months ago, at which point I bought a new bike, a Ridgeback MX-5 with 21 inch frame. The bike was perfect until recently when I heard a clanging noise and realised that 5 of the spokes had snapped, I had new spokes fitted but 2 days later another 2 have snapped. I am a big bloke, approx 6ft 3/4 and 18+ stone, I ride to and from work which is about 5 miles a day and then do a 40-60 mile ride on the weekend, so by no means over doing it. Is the problem with the spokes likely to be due to my size or should they be able to cope with this? I haven't whacked any kirbs or any other hard impact on the back wheel that I can remember, are there stronger spokes that I can get fitted?

Any advice would be appreciated on whether this is something I just have to put up with or if there are any solutions/recommendations.

Cheers

 

[Sittingduck]

What wheel is on the bike?

 

[Tynan]

18st ain't that big, I was over 17st when I took up riding again a few years back

I'd be inclined to have it looked at by a good bike shop, it doesn't sound right, who fitted the new spokes, piss all point someone fitting new spokes if they're going to break almost straight away

 

[Steve Austin]

Unfortunately its a combination of a few things. A cheapish wheel combined with a heavy rider.
the wheel isn't man enough for the job. You are going to need to get a decent handbuilt wheel, or at least get that wheel rebuilt with a whole new respoke. its really not ever going to work well for you.

 

[Sittingduck]

Unfortunately its a combination of a few things. A cheapish wheel combined with a heavy rider.
the wheel isn't man enough for the job. You are going to need to get a decent handbuilt wheel

My thoughts too - similar issues with me (I'm heavier than the average bear ). No problems since the LBS fitted a decent rear wheel though!

 

[markyboy22]

Thanks guys, sounds like a new wheel may be in order then, the wheel on it at the moment is just the standard wheel that came with the bike, I have had a look at it and it says Alexrims DH19, which I think I found on the following website http://www.alexrims.com/ type in dh19 and it comes up, it doesnt really tell you a lot about the wheel but quite a few people have now said a handbuilt or higher quality factory wheel is the better option.

 

[cadseen]

Agree with other posts, need a better quality and/or hand built wheel

 

[markyboy22]

Wheel

Hi,

ok I have been looking into this and have also spoken to the guy that I got my bike from originally and he has suggested the wheel shown on the following link;

http://www.wiggle.co.uk/p/cycle/7/MWheel_Shimano_Deore_Disc~Mavic_XC717_Disc_Rear_Wheel/5300003668/

Any ideas whether this is likley to be any better/stronger than the original factory built wheel?

It's only 32 spokes, 36 on my old bike, but if the rim is stronger would that be to much of a problem?

 

[Ranger]

I had exactly the same problem when I started, the back wheel wasn't up to my not inconsiderable build. I went and talked to a good bike shop and got a hand made wheel made up with 38 spokes and that lasted me 3 years without a problem until the rim wore out.

My latest set of wheels were expensive enough for me not to tell the wife how much they were, but have the advantage of a serviceable hub that can be reused when the rims are worn