Wheel Strength

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skinnydog1973

Well-Known Member
Hi i was wondering if anyone could help me out,i was wondering actually how strong are your wheels, i was out for a ride yesterday and when you are riding along and cant avoid bumps or holes in the road(not so much potholes) and it feels that your wheel takes a beating is it just because your tyres are so hard and its not as bad as it feels,or is this damaging the wheels,because sometimes i cant get out of the way of them
 

goody

Veteran
Location
Carshalton
Sounds like your roads are as bad as mine!
 

Rob3rt

Man or Moose!
Location
Manchester
Worry about it if it breaks........... which, in 99% of cases, it won't unless you make a habit of gallumping over big potholes!
 

ushills

Veteran
If you get a pinch puncture followed by an instant flat you can impact the rim causing a flat spot or dent in the rim. This is nothing really to do with wheel strength but rim material.

A 36 hole wheel can support upto 400kg so I would worry about the wheel but you can't really prevent damage without dodging the holes and perhaps using wider tyres.
 

Pjays666

Über Member
Location
Burnley lancs
My issue is not with the wheels but rather spokes keep breaking. Just noticed another one broken today which is a real pain as I can't get out again until it gets repaired.
 

AndyPeace

Guest
Location
Worcestershire
My issue is not with the wheels but rather spokes keep breaking. Just noticed another one broken today which is a real pain as I can't get out again until it gets repaired.

When the spokes are breaking, do you make the repair yourself or is this done at a shop? Spokes tend to break when they loose tension. They are strongest when the tension is uniform for all the spokes. I regularly check and true all my own wheels and have yet to have a spoke break (touch wood). As to your original post, what psi are you running? If the roads are rough you'll likely need a lower pressure.
 

Pjays666

Über Member
Location
Burnley lancs
When the spokes are breaking, do you make the repair yourself or is this done at a shop? Spokes tend to break when they loose tension. They are strongest when the tension is uniform for all the spokes. I regularly check and true all my own wheels and have yet to have a spoke break (touch wood). As to your original post, what psi are you running? If the roads are rough you'll likely need a lower pressure.
I generally run on marathon plus set at 80 or 90 psi I am currently training on a section of canal towpath or local roads. The towpath is pretty much Tarmac with some gravel and the odd cobble sets under bridges. I have had 3 spokes snap in last 4 months - all repaired at bike shops.
 

Pjays666

Über Member
Location
Burnley lancs
Where are the spokes snapping? Rear wheel drive side?
Yes always on rear wheel and not sure about others but this is on drive side- is there a reason for this. I used to hammer my bikes as a kid and can't remember spokes breaking. Then again it was 40 years ago and I am a tad heavier now lol.
 
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