Slightly buckled wheel

[2pies]

I bought a Spec. Tricross a few months ago. I specifically chose that bike to commute to work as there is a shortcut through a somewhat bumpy footpath that shaves about half a mile from the journey.

I don't know whether that foot path or one of London's many pot-holes or speed humps has caused it, but the rear wheel is a little buckled. Not hugely, it isn't rubbing against the brake pads (at least it isn't when I spin the wheel in the air, rather than riding it) but it does have a noticeable wiggle to it as it spins.

Should I be concerned, is a Cyclocross bike not designed to take this type of riding? I assumed it could ride off road comfortably.

Should I replace it, I'm guessing a Mavic replacement would be around £70 but if its going to happen again I may have to adjust my commuting route and go the long way round this park.

 

[smokeysmoo]

All wheels are susceptible to buckling, it's inevitable, always has been, always will

Have you checked you've not got a loose spoke. I've just had that with the front wheel on my Langster Steel. Never had it before in my life but it's happened twice now so it's at the LBS being checked over and re-trued.

I wouldn't ride a wheel out of true for too long myself, (but I am a heavy rider tbh!). My theory is once out of true it can only get worse, so I'd get it fettled as soon as I can. Especially if it's your commuter, preventative maintenance is essential if it's how you go to work to earn ££££'s

 

[2pies]

Just found this excellent video from Evans. I think I'll pop down my LBS and pick up a spoke key and try it myself. I'll look at the rim for cracks for hopefully, as you say, its just some loose spokes.

Thanks

 

[PpPete]

Check all the spoke tensions are even on each side. Pluck them like a guitar string and listen...

After a bad experience last year with a rear wheel on a new Specialized Secteur, I'm afraid I've very little confidence in their build quality.

 

[HLaB]

If its only slightly buckled certainly have a go at it your self but if its too complicated get a lbs to do it, the wheel certainly doesn't sound like its a write off.

 

[dirkthedaring71]

My wife and I bought two specialized allez bikes, a comp and an elite. Both have mavic cxp 22 rims though the comp matches these with tiagra rather than no name hubs on the elite. On both bikes both of the wheels became buckled through normal riding after about 500 miles and when I say buckled I mean a run out of 5mm +!!!

The build quality on these wheels is awful especially on bikes costing around a grand. What I did was buy a spoke key, load up you tube and rebuild the wheels myself. 1000 miles on and one crash and all is well so far.

The Internet is your friend.