Breaking spokes

urpaceormine

Does anyone have any idea why I keep getting loose/broken spokes? I broke a spoke on my back wheel in early July and took it to a bike shop and got it replaced. A few days later I broke another spoke on the Ring of Kerry (same wheel). I took it to a different bike shop and they said it was just bad luck that it happened again. Yesterday I heard a rattle in my wheel and discovered two loose spokes.This time it was my front wheel!!!
Would I be better off replacing wheels if this keeps happening and would this be expensive?

CramCycle

Do you have a name for the wheel, pictures, is the wheel out of true before they break, are there any other issues with the wheel or rim?

urpaceormine

Hi
There are no other issues apart from the spokes.The wheels are Giant.I went to collect my bike today after getting spokes fixed and the guy in the bike shop said the wheels were poor quality and I could replace them for 250euro.

Dotsie~tmp

Question are you a bit on the heavy side? I've lost 3 or 4 since Jan and usually link to clattering some pot-thole i didn't see. If you are can I recommend getting lose in the saddle as you see rough ground or paving. I used to just sit and it soon dawned that my full weight was pounding the rims when I hit a bad patch. If you see a hole or divot stand slightly and absorb the shock with your legs. I think it has helped me.

CramCycle

urpaceormine wrote: »

Hi
There are no other issues apart from the spokes.The wheels are Giant.I went to collect my bike today after getting spokes fixed and the guy in the bike shop said the wheels were poor quality and I could replace them for 250euro.

If it is a case that you see no future for the wheels, what is your budget for the next set? I would recommend Mavic Aksiums, solid all round wheels, can take a hell of a beating and you will pick up a pair for under 200 but you can pick up reasonably decent shimano for under 100 (eg 500s, my previous pair which survived 5 years with no maintenance), what is your plan for the wheels? Commuting, long distance, racing?

bcmf

A work mate had the same issues with a set if Giant wheels. Spokes kept breaking inexplicably. Kept bringing the wheel back to point of purchase and they eventually replaced with a set of Shimano.
I reckon there is a batch of low quality/faulty spokes being supplied.

ibebanging

I had problems with breaking spokes in the past. Changed to shamino 500s got about three years out of them before any maintenance was required. Good reliable and cost effective wheels for training and commute. (I'm 110kg)

CramCycle

bcmf wrote: »

A work mate had the same issues with a set if Giant wheels. Spokes kept breaking inexplicably. Kept bringing the wheel back to point of purchase and they eventually replaced with a set of Shimano.
I reckon there is a batch of low quality/faulty spokes being supplied.

that might be the way to go, tell them of the issues, and push for an exchange.

urpaceormine

Thanks for all the suggestions there.I'm under 10 stone so I don't think my weight is causing the problem.Think I will probably end up having to replace the wheels. I only use the bike for long distance spins at the moment but hopefully will start racing next summer. Budget is around 200-250.

CramCycle

urpaceormine wrote: »

Thanks for all the suggestions there.I'm under 10 stone so I don't think my weight is causing the problem.Think I will probably end up having to replace the wheels. I only use the bike for long distance spins at the moment but hopefully will start racing next summer. Budget is around 200-250.

If you can get to the shop you bought it in, bring them back in, tell them the spokes went again when you were away and you popped into a LBS and they said the wheels rims were made of silly putty (professional opinion), what can they do? It should not cost them to much to get you a half decent set of Shimanos.

If your under 10stone, it is definitely not your weight, I rode what some would consider poor wheels for years at over 12 stone. If yours can't handle 10stone then they are pure muck.

TychoCaine

ibebanging wrote: »

I had problems with breaking spokes in the past. Changed to shamino 500s got about three years out of them before any maintenance was required. Good reliable and cost effective wheels for training and commute. (I'm 110kg)

I'm heavier again and was expecting to destroy the factory fit Shimano r501s pretty quickly. I'd planned on shelling out for some custom wheels with a spoke count more in keeping with my heft once they did, but so far they're perfect. I'm thinking that they're so cheap (€83 on bikes24.de) that I'm not bothered if I wreck a set a year. I'll just go out and buy another set and do a DIY rebuild on the old one and keep it for the turbo trainer.

TychoCaine

CramCycle wrote: »

If your under 10stone, it is definitely not your weight, I rode what some would consider poor wheels for years at over 12 stone. If yours can't handle 10stone then they are pure muck.

Dotsie has a point though. Even at 10 stone, if you don't get light in the saddle when you hit a pothole you'll wreck your wheels.

CramCycle

TychoCaine wrote: »

Dotsie has a point though. Even at 10 stone, if you don't get light in the saddle when you hit a pothole you'll wreck your wheels.

Your knees will take the blunt but your wheels will not like them anyway. Avoid if possible

ibebanging

TychoCaine wrote: »

I'm heavier again and was expecting to destroy the factory fit Shimano r501s pretty quickly. I'd planned on shelling out for some custom wheels with a spoke count more in keeping with my heft once they did, but so far they're perfect. I'm thinking that they're so cheap (€83 on bikes24.de) that I'm not bothered if I wreck a set a year. I'll just go out and buy another set and do a DIY rebuild on the old one and keep it for the turbo trainer.

Yeah not the lightest but a great set of wheels for the money.

urpaceormine

Was out cycling Monday night and a spoke came loose again on the front wheel.Have replaced the wheels with mavic aksiums. Looking forward to trying them out on the rebel tour 160 Saturday.Hopefully there will be no more spoke problems now!!