Snapped Spoke on Ride Yesterday

[chrisb1357]

Hi all,

Well I was out cycling on my 4 month old Giant Defy 4 yesterday in the country lanes and about 12 miles from home when suddenly a spoke on the rear wheel snapped at the hub end on the cassette side.

I had to stop and then remove the spoke and to adjust the rear rim brakes so that the wheel would not catch the brake pads and then I plodded home for a slow 12 miles ride.

My question is should I speak to Giant regarding the wheel as its only 4 months old.

On route back home I passed a LBS so popped in and they quickly put a spoke in but they was unable to completely true the wheel. Not sure if the shop was any good or they could not be bothered but he said maybe a new wheel is required or speak to giant.

Chris

 

[Roadrider48]

4 months is not long atall. I would contact whoever you purchased the bike from and enquiry about the warranty.

 

[Tojo]

I think everyone I know (which is a high number) who has had Giant Defy's have had spokes snap, I had a look at a brand new wheel from a mates Defy and the spokes weren't tensioned evenly....

 

[Pale Rider]

The practical position is that once a spoke breaks, a domino effect tends to come into play, so I'm afraid you may have more breaks in future.

Having said that, my local bike shop usually advises replacement of a single spoke, but if another goes, rebuild the wheel with new.

I got a wheel rebuilt under warranty after a couple of breaks on my Cannondale MTB, the bike shop told me they had done several on that type of wheel, so it was a known problem.

The attitude of Giant/your shop may be different.

It is fairly easy to cite 'wear and tear' to avoid paying a claim.

 

[derrick]

Hi all,

Well I was out cycling on my 4 month old Giant Defy 4 yesterday in the country lanes and about 12 miles from home when suddenly a spoke on the rear wheel snapped at the hub end on the cassette side.

I had to stop and then remove the spoke and to adjust the rear rim brakes so that the wheel would not catch the brake pads and then I plodded home for a slow 12 miles ride.

My question is should I speak to Giant regarding the wheel as its only 4 months old.

On route back home I passed a LBS so popped in and they quickly put a spoke in but they was unable to completely true the wheel. Not sure if the shop was any good or they could not be bothered but he said maybe a new wheel is required or speak to giant.

Chris

It does seem like some giant wheels are not up to the job, along with a few other manufactures.

 

[NorthernDave]

It's definitely worth asking the question isn't it?

 

[mrandmrspoves]

I think the bike shop you visited should have been able to true your wheel, it's not particularly difficult but there is a risk of other spokes letting go while the wheel is being trued or as soon as you ride on it so they may have wisely declined.

 

[chrisb1357]

From a few searches online as you say the giant wheels do not look to be built well. I was looking at hand built sets but I just don't have the funds to purchase any at the minute

 

[chrisb1357]

Well just off the phone from Giant support and they was not very helpful at all. But they did suggest taking to a local giant dealer which I have also phoned and they said no problem bring the wheel in and we will see if we can true or replace under warranty and get a new wheel. My choice would be to get a new wheel and to make sure the tension is correct

Chris

 

[Tojo]

Well just off the phone from Giant support and they was not very helpful at all. But they did suggest taking to a local giant dealer which I have also phoned and they said no problem bring the wheel in and we will see if we can true or replace under warranty and get a new wheel. My choice would be to get a new wheel and to make sure the tension is correct

Chris

If they get you a new wheel from Giant I would also ask if they would check the tension of the spokes as I have found all the Giant wheels I've had a look at they were all unevenly tensioned......

 

[chrisb1357]

Well this morning the giant dealer contacted me and they have agree to credit the shop back for a pair of new wheels as Giant do not have any stock of the defy wheels at the minute. Shop suggested I contact giant to arrange the credit as its not there issue to deal with so contacted giant who said the dealer needs to speak to them and arrange the credit. After many phone calls and rants on the phone the dealer called me back.

So in all Giant & Dealer have agreed to supply a Shimano RS 010 wheel set. Now my worry is these wheels have less spokes than the ones supplied with the Defy 4 2015 model which are the Giant S-R2 branded ones which had I think 32 spokes and the RS 010 have 24 spokes.

Chris

 

[Tojo]

I wouldn't worry about the spoke count on them, they are definitely a better built wheels than the Giant's I think it would only be an issue if you are 100kg+, a few of my mates and myself have a pair for winter and we all think they are a decent wheel for the price....

 

[john59]

I've been using the older Shimano R501's over a couple of winters and never had a problem.

 

[chrisb1357]

I am over 100kg but the Giant dealer said I will be ok with them but am not so sure. Enjoying getting out on the bike 3 to 4 times a week doing over 25 miles per ride at the minute.

Just a shame I cannot afford handbuilt wheels at the minute

 

[mrandmrspoves]

A lower spoke count on a well built wheel is better than a higher spoke count on a badly built wheel.........which is not to say the Shimano wheels are well built - but most people that have them seem to think they're good for a "low end" wheelset.