Planet X AL30 rear wheel breaking spokes?

[SS Retro]

My single speed planet x rear wheel (32 spoke) has snapped 2 spokes, they have both been within the last month, the spokes have failed when standing on the pedals working up a hill but not going all out with speed or force, is this normal?

 

[Hacienda71]

I haven't had a problem with mine which are the cassette version. I have broken spokes when my chain got caught inbetween the cassette and the wheel due to a bust plate on the chain but the LBS replaced them and I haven't had any ongoing issues, 5000 plus miles in.

 

[fossyant]

Once one goes, others tend to.

 

[HorTs]

Once one goes, others tend to.

Yeah, could've been one dodgy spoke broke that has then put too much tension on the otherwise fine spokes.

 

[PatrickPending]

Once one goes, others tend to.

very true, however I did have a PX model B wheel which broke a spoke after a few 100Km - popped a new one on, fine ever since. If it were me, I'd replace them (myself) and see how it goes...

 

[SS Retro]

I'd replace them (myself) and see how it goes...

Ah bit late for that the wheel is in the LBS who have an excellent wheel builder, who remembered it had a spoke in December. He said at first could be down to poor quality spokes. I can fettle everything on my bikes but have always shied away from spokes and truing maybe I should learn!

 

[PatrickPending]

replacing and truing a single spoke is a doddle.....

 

[SS Retro]

Well the it gets worse whilst in the LBS the wheel builder who's a class guy with a good reputation broke another spoke truing it he says it could really do with a full rebuild. So I have emailed Planet X for a solution.

 

[Martin p]

Had my Planet X AL30 C's for around 6 mths as recommend on this here forum, no probs so far although not racked up that many miles . Lovely wheel :-)

 

[simon.r]

Broke one on mine, replaced and no problems since.

 

[PatrickPending]

a rebuild with good quality spokes by a good wheel builder would pretty much guarantee a spoke breakage free ride - in fact the hubs will probably go first. Mind you it was the hubs that went first on my model As - after about 10,000Km in all weathers though...

 

[SS Retro]

Wheels on there way back to Planet X F.O.C for an investigation.

 

[SS Retro]

Well a week has past and the wheels are on there way back to me, the following is an extract from Planet x's email.

I have inspected your wheels and had our service technician double check them for true and spoke tension using a tension meter.
The recommended tension is between 80-130 kgf and your wheels are between 97 and 101kgf.

They are true to well within industry standard.

I will be despatching them back out to you within the next 24hrs.

This is a quote from my reply.

Thanks for the update.
This doesn't explain the 3 broken spokes so far that I have had to have replaced at my own expense, what happens when they break another?

I find it strange my other road bike has far less spokes in both its wheels and I have never broke one, the same could also be said of my fixie that has 32/32 same as the AL30's. Only once in the last 25 years have I broke a spoke and that was a set of campag rims back in the 90's?

I am not really satisfied with the outcome yes the may meet industry standard for tension but to break three spokes in such a short space of time there must be something fundamentally wrong with the wheel, or spoke quality?

Anyway I have received a standard order dispatch email today for the wheels coming back, no reply to the above.

I use Planet X once a month might only be £20, but some times its a lot more and right now I feel deeply unsatisfied by the service I have received I might as well have not bothered?

 

[PatrickPending]

see how i goes if another one brakes, have a go replacing it yourself, or consider a rebuild with good quality stainless steel spokes - normally around £30 plus the cost of the spokes.

 

[SS Retro]

Well my wheels arrived back yesterday couldn't be bothered to unpack them, still felt let down.

So I emailed the CEO of Planet X, One One and Titius with a brief mail and a copy of my e trail over the last 2 weeks, fair play within 10 mins he had mailed me back saying he would personally sort this out, today I got confirmation of a new wheel set is on it's way to me.

Bit long and drawn out but my faith has been restored in Planet X.