Spoke problems

[hobbitonabike]

Hoping someone can help my hubby out. In the last two months he has had four broken spokes on the back wheel. Each time the local lbs has replaced the broken spokes and re trued bit then within a couple of weeks another one has gone. What we are wondering is, is there likely to be a reason that is causing them to keep snapping at the hub end? Or has his love affair with the p*ncture fairy ended and he has started a new one with some spoke destroying goblin??? He has a cannondale caad8 which still has the wheels it came with. Please help my sanity...oh and his lol!!

 

[BimblingBee]

When a spoke breaks the others have to take up the strain so can become overstressed then fatigue early so snap.

So basically it's a lottery if more break! Of course its you could buy some new spokes and replace yourself- dt swiss ones about a tenner for 12.

 

[mrandmrspoves]

Spokes invariably break at the hub end on the bend as this is the weakest point. Usually the rear wheel and on the side that carries the gears because they are tensioned more than on the non - drive side. If four have broken I think it is quite likely that others will follow. It may be worth getting the wheel re- spoked - or just replacing the wheel.

 

[Mickthemove]

Time for a new wheel I reckon, it's a slippery slope, depending on what type of riding and how heavy your husband is, you can get a wheel set for less than 80 quid !

 

[BimblingBee]

Time for a new wheel I reckon, it's a slippery slope, depending on what type of riding and how heavy your husband is, you can get a wheel set for less than 80 quid !

It's a pretty naff wheelset for 80 quid though!!

 

[accountantpete]

As above - stock wheels are usually the cheapest the retailer can find and naff spokes rims and hubs are not uncommon.

I wouldn't waste more time with that wheel as the hubs are usually Chinese types which also go bad quite often and are non serviceable anyway - my advice would be entry level factory wheels or a reasonable pair of rims with Swiss DT spokes and Shimano hubs.

 

[Mickthemove]

It's a pretty naff wheelset for 80 quid though!!

Mavic sr??10 or something, they look quite pretty and will do a cheap job if your not overweight! I would not buy them but they are an option

 

[Ern1e]

I had that mis fortune during the summer it was one spoke after another so in the end just bought a better wheel,I think my problem was carrying to much shopping trying to save me making several trips (which I have since started doing) during the week lol.

 

[hobbitonabike]

Thanks everyone. Isn't it always the way when money is tight! Would replacing all the spokes be an interim solution till we can get funds together for some decent wheels? If we are going to replace them would rather hang on to get some better ones than just what we can afford right now.

 

[accountantpete]

Thanks everyone. Isn't it always the way when money is tight! Would replacing all the spokes be an interim solution till we can get funds together for some decent wheels? If we are going to replace them would rather hang on to get some better ones than just what we can afford right now.

Decent spokes are going to cost you £20 for one wheel plus building cost.

False economy if you ask me as you are never sure whether the original spokes are the problem or whether it is the hub/rim design that is the cause.

 

[hobbitonabike]

Decent spokes are going to cost you £20 for one wheel plus building cost.

False economy if you ask me as you are never sure whether the original spokes are the problem or whether it is the hub/rim design that is the cause.

Yep but as we are not able to buy decent new wheels I wondered if it was a decent stop gap till funds were better.

 

[Brommyboy]

When I had new wheels break spokes, even on the manufacturer's replacement wheels, I had them respoked after which they lasted for years. You can test your spokes by pinging each with a metal bar (key, spoon, etc). They should all play nearly the same musical note if properly tensioned. Usually some are too tight and others slack, which will lead to further breakages.

 

[Big John]

Could be a multitude of factors. Weight versus number of spokes. Some wheels simply aren't suitable for certain weights. Spoke tensions could also be all over the place, causing them to break. If you have them re-built then ask around and find a decent wheel builder. A proper wheel builder will put a small brass washer on each spoke when he re-builds it (at the shoulder), will test the spoke tensions with a tension meter and ensure the right length spoke is used. I'm 13 stones and use 32 or 36 spokes on the back wheel and, touch wood, have never had a problem.

I don't profess to be an expert. I've done a wheel building course but that doesn't qualify me to have the answer, I'm afraid, but if it's built properly and is appropriate for your weight then you really shouldn't have to worry about spokes breaking. It doesn't have to cost a fortune (I'm a tight wad so I should know) but at least you won't have to buy new wheels. One thing you could suggest to the wheel builder is try a heavier guage spoke. And they're getting a pack of 36 for under a tenner, by the way.

 

[cyberknight]

I had these problem a while back, loosening all the spokes and retruing from there solved my problems.

 

[BimblingBee]

I guess if money is tight then it comes down to how handy you are with the spanners...

Cost wise you can get a full set of DT swiss stainless single gage spokes plus nipples for less than a tenner off ebay or some double butted DT ones for £20. After that it's labour costs so free or £25 upwards for a shop to do it.

I've built a few sets and its not that hard but having tools helps (Stand, Dishing tool etc) or just get the right size spokes and replace as and when (so no need to dish as it should already be done).