Mavic Ksyrium Equipe rear - loose spoke, slightly buckled wheel, lil help?

joker77

Can I get this sorted with a pliers (to tighten the spoke), or do I need a special tool? If I need a tool - could you point me at which one on chain reaction? (I've a christmas voucher to use). Thanks

The wheel isn't too bad, going to head out in the morning on it, probably as it is

happytramp

you'll most likely need this one to tension the spoke http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Models.aspx?ModelID=3842

But you'll also need a bladed spoke holder to hold the bladed spoke in place so it doesn't twist as you tension it.

http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Models.aspx?ModelID=58891

ckeego

Really interesting post...I have 2 sets of Mavic Kysrium Equipe and the 2nd set are literally brand new on a built Colnago.

I descended Devils Glen last weekend on the first ride out with these wheels and had a seroius speed wobble at (what my brother's strava said was) 69kph.

Bit of a strange sound and buckle and it turned out to be not one but 2 seriously loose spokes on the front wheel.

LBS said this is a recent feature where certain wheelsets, Mavic particularly, are shipped with loose spokes.

I had ridden the other set for 2 years without a problem:mad:

ckeego

If I were you, don't ride on it till it's tensioned...

Pablo Rubio

I had the same experience with Ksyrium equipes. Got them from the LBS and took them on a 100km training spin and were fine. Rode them in a race a few days later and every time I got out of the saddle I heard a "ping ping" sound. when I finished I had a look at them and nearly all the bladed spokes had turned sideways and there was a slight buckle . Brought them back to the LBS and a bit of a tune up sorted it out and not a bother since.
Similar thing then happened on my new Aksium training wheels recently as well. Doesnt happen on my Ksyrium elites though thank god.

ashleey

My elites came with the spoke tool but certainly not loose spokes. That would be asking for lawyer trouble. Definitely check them before using again. I can't believe mavic or anyone ship parts which require work before safe use without clear warnings.

ckeego

ashleey wrote: »

My elites came with the spoke tool but certainly not loose spokes. That would be asking for lawyer trouble. Definitely check them before using again. I can't believe mavic or anyone ship parts which require work before safe use without clear warnings.

I can certainly vouch that it happened to me!!!:p

Didn't get a spoke tool with either of my sets, although the newest set came with a bike but were unridden up until last week.

As I said, the fella in the LBS in Greystones said it has happened on a few brand new Mavic wheelsets he has seen, particularly the Aksium and Equipe.

Believe me, it had been a very smooth ride with no pothole encounters and 2 spokes had worked themselves fully free with the result that others were also loose.

Set up a really nice speed wobble in the descent!!!:eek:

ashleey

I don't doubt your problems and heart stopping moments! Nightmare. Seriously though I bought mavic kysrium elites as a later upgrade and have not had loose spokes. I have put some miles on them and I also upgraded my mountain bike wheels with mavics. There is no way that they ship with loose spokes deliberately for the shop to tighten. Spokes do need attention though and can be checked by 'pinging' for early warning signs. Send them back for a full check. I have had wheels repaired by cycle superstore in tallagh after snapping spokes with excellent service if that helps. To be honest your lbs wont mind to do it for you though. Do not ride!

ckeego

ashleey wrote: »

I don't doubt your problems and heart stopping moments! Nightmare. Seriously though I bought mavic kysrium elites as a later upgrade and have not had loose spokes. I have put some miles on them and I also upgraded my mountain bike wheels with mavics. There is no way that they ship with loose spokes deliberately for the shop to tighten. Spokes do need attention though and can be checked by 'pinging' for early warning signs. Send them back for a full check. I have had wheels repaired by cycle superstore in tallagh after snapping spokes with excellent service if that helps. To be honest your lbs wont mind to do it for you though. Do not ride!

Very true..Like you, the original set have given me stellar service from the box several thousand km ago and have had no issues whatsoever...The new set though, it would seem very strange for it (a) to happen on a firsy ride having checked the spokes before the ride and (b) for it to happen to other riders too...

I echo your sentiments about not riding them until they are checked..Wayne in Greystones trued them up for me.

As for heart stopping moments..Well, all part of the adventure!!;)

doozerie

Don't use pliers on spokes. You might be lucky and it'll work, but chances are you won't be lucky and you'l mangle the nipple and need to replace it.

As regards holding bladed spokes so that they don't rotate with the nipple, a small adjustable wrench will work well if you have one, or just cut a shallow slot in a piece of wood and use that to hold the spoke. The "correct" tool is cheap but basically there are other options if you don't have one to hand.

As for spokes "ping"ing during a ride, I've found that only happens when the spokes have not been stress-relieved after the wheel is built/adjusted and that occurs while riding the wheel instead. It's a sign of a poorly built wheel. The tension of the spoke has been based at least partly on the spoke being twisted and once the wheel is in use the spoke will just rotate itself back to it's "normal" position resulting in less tension in the spoke and probably a buckle in the wheel. Similarly, if the spokes work their way loose while using the wheel it means the tension on at least some spokes was inadequate to start with, which again means the wheel was poorly built.

ciulabula

I have Mavic Aksium wheels for a few months right now.
For my surprise I've been told by my LBS mech (WHEELWORX anyway)
that Mavic wheels just need to be checked from time to time, aprox
every 1K for spoke play.