3 broken Spokes on Back Wheel since Xmas

Thargor

Is that just bad luck? Boardman roadbike with 700c wheels that came with it, not sure of the brand and Halfords site wont load for me atm.

Cycle about 10K every day, okay roads just the odd bump, I do keep them pumped at 120 psi, should I reduce that to 100 maybe? Anything else anyone can think of?

ballyharpat

Tyre pressure really shouldn't impact the spokes longevity. What weight are you?

How long do you have the wheels/bike?

Thargor

13 stone, had the bike for 2 years, whells came with it, not heavily used just 10 k a day on okay urban roads.

ballyharpat

IMO you need a new set of wheels, I would recommend something for a clydesdale if you don't do any racing. Maybe try and get a set of wheels with 32 or more spokes per wheel. Clydesdale or cyclocross wheels are very strong and durable. Or if you have a fair amount of money to spend, I am a big fan of Mavic wheels.

07Lapierre

IMO u dont need new wheels. Bring the rear wheel to a decent bike shop and ask them to rebuild it. Of course if your just looking for an excuse to upgrade the wheels.... Go for it!

Chips Lovell

Did they all break at once or go one after the other and you got it repaired each time?

buddy22

Had the very same issue with my own Boardman. After about 18 months regular usage the spokes on the back wheel began to give up the ghost. The stock wheels on the Boardman are really just entry level (i.e. a bit on the cheap side).

Since moved to a set of Mavics and find them a lot better, both in terms of strength and ride quality. Bloody expensive though!

Thargor

Vladimir Kurtains wrote: »

Did they all break at once or go one after the other and you got it repaired each time?

Broke one after another having it repaired each time.

buddy22 wrote: »

Had the very same issue with my own Boardman. After about 18 months regular usage the spokes on the back wheel began to give up the ghost. The stock wheels on the Boardman are really just entry level (i.e. a bit on the cheap side).

Since moved to a set of Mavics and find them a lot better, both in terms of strength and ride quality. Bloody expensive though!

Hmmm didnt know that, Ill get it repaired one more time and see what happens.

Whats the best thing to do? Tell them to fix it again or tell them to rebuild the tyre?

ballyharpat

If a wheel has broken 3 spokes, it is time to change it, if it were an expensive wheel, it is worth a rebuild, but in the case of stock wheels on an entry level boardman, the wheels are the equivalent of e60/70 a pair, not worth rebuilding IMO.

Sagi

Hi

sorry for hijacking the thread

I have the same problem with my backwheel, I lost 2 spokes over the course of 1000km and got them replaced two weeks ago, now I went for a 300 km tour and lost two spokes again, I'm a little over 100kg and had a lot of luggage so there is quite some sress on the back wheel for sure.

It's an alfine 11 speed hub, so I do not want to replace the wheel completely. Can somebody recommend a good wheel builder in cork who will rebuild it for a reasonable price and to a good quality?

Thx

seamus

Thargor wrote: »

Broke one after another having it repaired each time.

Needs a rebuild. Funny how often this exact thread has come up recently. Maybe the winter results in more broken spokes.

Anyway, the issue is that the spokes wear evenly. When one breaks and you replace it with a brand new shiny spoke, that puts even more stress on the older spokes, and they will all just start snapping in turn.

Don't underestimate the cumulative effect of 10k commuting per day. Over two years that's 5,000km+, not including any other cycling.

Check if the rim is quite worn. If it seems pretty good, a rebuild might be a cheap way of getting more time out of it. If the rim seems quite worn, then you may be better off with a new set of wheels.

Thargor

seamus wrote: »

Needs a rebuild. Funny how often this exact thread has come up recently. Maybe the winter results in more broken spokes.

Anyway, the issue is that the spokes wear evenly. When one breaks and you replace it with a brand new shiny spoke, that puts even more stress on the older spokes, and they will all just start snapping in turn.

Don't underestimate the cumulative effect of 10k commuting per day. Over two years that's 5,000km+, not including any other cycling.

Check if the rim is quite worn. If it seems pretty good, a rebuild might be a cheap way of getting more time out of it. If the rim seems quite worn, then you may be better off with a new set of wheels.

ballyharpat wrote: »

If a wheel has broken 3 spokes, it is time to change it, if it were an expensive wheel, it is worth a rebuild, but in the case of stock wheels on an entry level boardman, the wheels are the equivalent of e60/70 a pair, not worth rebuilding IMO.

Okay thanks, any reccomendations for new cheap tyres? Would be delighted if I could get away with e60/70 Euro...

seamus

Thargor wrote: »

Okay thanks, any reccomendations for new cheap tyres? Would be delighted if I could get away with e60/70 Euro...

Wheels. Wheels wheels wheels. Tyres are the rubber things that go onto wheels

Sorry, my wife constantly calls wheels, tyres and for some reason it really grates on me.

You won't get a decent pair of wheels for €60/€70. You should be able to get a deal on one wheel for that price, but a decent entry level set will set you back about €150.

el tel

OP you say your spokes broke since Christmas. Was this post 24/25 December and is your bike stored anywhere near your fireplace? Just sayin' like.

Thargor

Its in my room next to the radiator, not leaning against the radiator but off to one side about a meter away, that wouldnt have caused it would it?

Chips Lovell

Thargor wrote: »

Broke one after another having it repaired each time.

OK. It's either

a.) Whoever is replacing the broken spokes isn't up to the job. Decent wheelbuilders are few and far between. I've seen it happen that someone replaces a spoke, makes a bags of the job and leaves the wheel with uneven tension, which results in more broken spokes.

b.) The wheels themselves aren't great. I've done a bit of reading and it turns out that the Ritchey wheels that come stock with the Boardman don't enjoy a great reputation.

ballyharpat

Mavic elites are a good wheel and can be picked up for about 150-180. I got a set for my cyclocross bike last year for beating around on. I ordered them from bikediscount.de but there may be better prices at the minute somewhere else. They will give a big improvement to your bike over your current wheelset as well, another set of e100 wheels will only give you the same problem in a years time again....

Thargor

Crap on it anyway, dont know the first thing about wheels or wheel sizes so Im going to repair one last time and pray it was just a string of bad luck, Ill buy new wheels after that, not a clue about what sizes Im supposed to be looking for on Wiggle or anything though, is 700c all you need to know?

How about these:

http://www.wiggle.co.uk/campagnolo-khamsin-clincher-wheelset/

Do I need a Campagnolo freehub or a Shimano freehub?

Any help appreciated...

seamus

If you had Campagnolo you would know, and you would bore everyone else to death making sure they knew you have Campagnolo too

Seriously though, chances are it's a Shimano freehub you want. To doublecheck just have a look at your gears. If they're not Campag, then you need a Shimano freehub.

Road bike wheels are fairly standard. Any 700c wheels should work fine.

Ryaner

Vladimir Kurtains wrote: »

OK. It's either

a.) Whoever is replacing the broken spokes isn't up to the job. Decent wheelbuilders are few and far between. I've seen it happen that someone replaces a spoke, makes a bags of the job and leaves the wheel with uneven tension, which results in more broken spokes.

After two years, you'll start to get fatigue fractures in the spokes so when a new spoke goes on, it is possible to strain the others.

@OP, if you are around Dublin, try humphries in Finglas. Guy who they use is quite good at it. They also sell Open Pros, which are pretty decent for staying together.

C3PO

ballyharpat wrote: »

What weight are you?

Thargor wrote: »

13 stone.....

ballyharpat wrote: »

IMO you need a new set of wheels, I would recommend something for a clydesdale if you don't do any racing.

13 stone is hardly a Clydesdale........ or at least I refuse to accept that it is!!!

ASeoige

Thargor wrote: »

Crap on it anyway, dont know the first thing about wheels or wheel sizes so Im going to repair one last time and pray it was just a string of bad luck, Ill buy new wheels after that, not a clue about what sizes Im supposed to be looking for on Wiggle or anything though, is 700c all you need to know?

How about these:

http://www.wiggle.co.uk/campagnolo-khamsin-clincher-wheelset/

Do I need a Campagnolo freehub or a Shimano freehub?

Any help appreciated...

The Khasim have a good rep but I thought they could be had for 140e. I have these in white
http://www.planet-x-bikes.co.uk/i/q/WPSHRS30/shimano_rs30_clincher_wheelset

they are bullit proof. If you had Shimano shifters then you need a shimano hub. If you have Campy shifters :cool: then need campy rear hub. All racing bikes are 700c and 650c relates (generally) to mountain bikes as a rule of thumb. I would not bother spending good money after bad messing around with changing individual spokes. It sounds likes they are fatigued. Cycling is also about building confidence which extends to your equipment particularly when doing long distances.

Thargor

Ah those look really good thanks, Im going to repair one more time then probably fit those if anything happens.

ASeoige

Thargor wrote: »

Ah those look really good thanks, Im going to repair one more time then probably fit those if anything happens.

I did a lot of research when I bought new wheels and came to the conclusion that wheelbuilders are really for bespoke custom wheels. I ordered mine on the net on a wednesday and they landed on my door on a Friday morning all the way from blightly. No lugging wheels around to bike shops;)

As for tyres, Kevlar is the only way to go. Conti gatorskins(wired is cheaper), Schwalbe ultremo DD (no discount at the moment) or Scwalbe ZX
and I have seen these
http://www.planet-x-bikes.co.uk/i/q/TYPXTRAGEK/pxt_rage_k_folding_kevlar_road_tyre which also seem interesting. Bonty hardcase lite another strong tyre.

I personally bought these http://www.ribblecycles.co.uk/sp/road-track-bike/tyres-road-tri-track-folding-vittoria-open-corsa-evocx320tpi-tyre/vitttyrf260 and run them with http://www.ribblecycles.co.uk/sp/road-track-bike/tyre-tub-tube-spares-accs-panaracer-flataway-each/panatyrz200 for additional protection. The vittorias do tend to pick up a lot of crap but ride like butter. Tyre pressure for your weight should be around 95 up front and 105 rear.

Also check out http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Kits.aspx?ModelID=85815...these tyres seem to be the flavour of the month.:)