Wheel rim fatigue cracks
I'd be interested to hear from anyone with similar experiences or insight on this one.
Just over a year ago I bought new wheels for my road bike, At the weekend I noticed that the rear was running out of true, as if a spoke had failed in on the chain side. In fact the wheel rim was developing cracks, initiating at spoke holes in about 6 places. Some of the larger cracks were accompanied by others in the shoulder of the rim either side of the spoke hole. Sorry, I have no pictures.
There is some corrosion around the spoke holes which could (possibly) have contributed to the start of fatigue.
The rims are only just over a year old, perhaps with 3000 miles. Front and rear were bought together, appear identical, are made by Rigida and are the "Excel" model. I shall be asking the advice of my (very friendly) LBS, but they are not really obliged to do anything. They have been very good in the past though.
I am disappointed that a wheel has gone bad in so short a time - this should not happen!
Ed Holland
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Get a bicycle. You will certainly not regret it, if you live.