[Goddy]

I am having problems with my rear wheel, almost every 2 weeks (at least) I am breaking a spoke. I have trued the rim each time and to be honest I am getting tired of spending so much time fixing it. Tensioning isn't uniform between sides and thats the only way I could make it true. Also from what I can tell my freewheel is shot because whenever I coast I hear a grinding.

I've been riding the bike for a year and half, its wheels consist of Alex DM-18 Double Wall (w/ eyelets 32h) and Shimano M475 Disc Hubs. I understand this isn't the highest quality bike and I plan to get a MUCH better bike next spring, but I hope to throw slicks on this one and keep it going as an extra ride for around town.

I guess my question is what I should do to make it through to the spring, continue repairing spokes, or buy a new rear wheel. I have two more races this year also...

 

[thebronze]

I am having problems with my rear wheel, almost every 2 weeks (at least) I am breaking a spoke. I have trued the rim each time and to be honest I am getting tired of spending so much time fixing it. Tensioning isn't uniform between sides and thats the only way I could make it true. Also from what I can tell my freewheel is shot because whenever I coast I hear a grinding. .

Something is seriously wrong here Goddy, who built the wheel? Did it come with the bike? Sounds like you need to replace the spokes and stress relieve them. I would take it to your LBS for warranty work, or if you have the tools and patience try replacing the spokes, then make sure all the spokes are formed and stress relieved-flex the hell outta them. If you want details let us know.

 

[Goddy]

eh?

Something is seriously wrong here Goddy, who built the wheel? Did it come with the bike? Sounds like you need to replace the spokes and stress relieve them. I would take it to your LBS for warranty work, or if you have the tools and patience try replacing the spokes, then make sure all the spokes are formed and stress relieved-flex the hell outta them. If you want details let us know.

The wheel is stock out of the LBS, same thing that came with the bike aside from about 4 or 5 spokes I've replaced this season.
Would this be covered under warranty? It seems like wear and tear to me (?). (I am a clyde to which I'm sure doesn't help the situation...)

Any idea how much a shop would charge me to take care of this?

 

[toad]

I doubt the shop will do anything about it other than check the tension and make a few small adjustments. Unfortunately, when you start breaking spokes, the only real fix is to have the wheel rebuilt. The old rim may be funked up, so you would probabely have to buy new spokes plus new rim plus build price. So, it won't be cheap, ... bout. . eh . . 70 bucks I'd say, depending on rim selection, spoke price and whatnot. Won't be so bad if they can save the old rim. Ya might mention you bought the wheel from them, maybe they cut you some slack. -t

 

[Goddy]

Ok...

I doubt the shop will do anything about it other than check the tension and make a few small adjustments. Unfortunately, when you start breaking spokes, the only real fix is to have the wheel rebuilt. The old rim may be funked up, so you would probabely have to buy new spokes plus new rim plus build price. So, it won't be cheap, ... bout. . eh . . 70 bucks I'd say, depending on rim selection, spoke price and whatnot. Won't be so bad if they can save the old rim. Ya might mention you bought the wheel from them, maybe they cut you some slack. -t

Thats the advice a co-worker (an ex LBS shop worker) gave me, he said once they start to go bad its hard to stop them and I could have the LBS re-build it or get a new one.
Thats what spurred me looking at a whole new rear wheel (roughly the same as rebuilding)
It looks like thats what I will end up doing either thru E-bay or an e-tailer...Thanks for the input.

 

[FredNZ]

Sounds like you are a heavy cyclist on a cheap wheel. But it isn't necessarily the parts, but the build, that was cheap. If you look at the spokes that you are snapping, you will find that each one is beside the one that snapped last.

Definitely it is time for a new wheel, but how long it will last depends on how much you spend, and a bit of luck of course. You will find a hand built wheel will last much longer for you (you might want to consider a decent handbuilt wheel that you put on your new bike, and keep the wheel that comes on that bike for your old bike?)

Thats the advice a co-worker (an ex LBS shop worker) gave me, he said once they start to go bad its hard to stop them and I could have the LBS re-build it or get a new one.
Thats what spurred me looking at a whole new rear wheel (roughly the same as rebuilding)
It looks like thats what I will end up doing either thru E-bay or an e-tailer...Thanks for the input.

 

[summitlt]

I dont understand, this doesnt help you but I weigh 160 and ride pretty agressive XC, I have never broke a spoke in my life. I cant imagine the tension on spokes the break them.

 

[Goddy]

They aren't...

I dont understand, this doesnt help you but I weigh 160 and ride pretty agressive XC, I have never broke a spoke in my life. I cant imagine the tension on spokes the break them.

Breaking right in the middle from tension, its shearing at the hub, The flared end is shearing off....

 

[FredNZ]

Spokes generally brake because they aren't tight enough. Every rotation of a wheel tightens and loosens a spoke. By that, I mean that when you are on the bike, your weight will detension the spokes at the bottom of the wheel. As the spokes goes up, the spoke gets it's normal tension.
If the spokes aren't tight, then the detensioning is enough to make the spoke loose. This basically cycle of being tight then loose means that the spoke will fatigue very quickly.

The build is very important. Especially if you are a heavy fella.

I dont understand, this doesnt help you but I weigh 160 and ride pretty agressive XC, I have never broke a spoke in my life. I cant imagine the tension on spokes the break them.

 

[Goddy]

What do you think?

http://www.performancebike.com/shop/profile.cfm?SKU=18413&subcategory_ID=5312

I have TP membership so the shipping is upgraded....