Cyclocross - Argh! Anyone have Problems with Mavic Open Sports?

Bought a new 2005-2006 JTS...yes the day-glo orange so I affectionately call her deer season. Anyway, I am 6 foot, 220, and I have had nothing but problems with both Mavic Open Sport (OS) wheels on the bike. I have popped probably 6 or 7 spokes total (mostly rear) and most of my riding is road and paved path. I figured it was my weight, but come-on, it's a cross bike and I am not even using it for its intended use. Mostly unloaded commuting and a change-up from my roadie.

I know Mavic is quality because I have open pros on my roadie and have never had a problem. So my question is, has anyone else had a problem with OS wheels? If not, is it possible I just happened to get a hungover wheelbuilder?

Since I am basically done with these wheels, my second question is what good strong durable wheelset should I get to replace these. Do Open Pros work well for a Cross setup, or is there something else out there you guys have been happy with that won't break a spoke... or the bank?
Thanks ahead of time,
A

I think you might want to think about finding another wheelbuilder. I've built a number of wheelsets using Mavic MA3s and Open Sports (MA3 replacements) and have had great success in using them laced 4x, 3x, 2x, 1x and Half Crow's Foot (both 32h and 36h) to mostly Shimano Ultegra hubs. I chose those rims as they're in keeping with the Schwinn Super Sport I'm using them on, and they're rock-solid reliable. I use mostly DT 14/15 double-butted stainless spokes, and brass nipples. Sack your wheelbuilder! :rolleyes:

- Wil

Sounds like a bad wheelbuild. Spoke popping is not the fault of the rim (although reviews will often blame the rim anyway!).

I've got an Open Sport rear laced to 105 hubs. Never missed a beat in 2 years.

sounds like the wheelbuilding for sure - someone needs to bounce the twists out before they are weight loaded.

you should have no problem on the Open Sports at your weight - I have friends who are around your weight and swear by MA3s

have the same bike, weigh about 10 lbs more than you, before the backpack, water, laptop.

wheels trued once in 1200 miles. They're very strong. Seems to me you have a wheelbuilder issue. If you bought new, they should fix this under warranty. have?

what size frame do you ride?

M

Thanks for the info guys, it really is a shame. Good to hear that these wheels "should be" holding up. I bought the bike new and it came with the wheels, but since I don't frequent the lbs that sold it (out of town) and i have let the problem go for so long, I have basically burned out any chance of getting the shop to work with me. I will give it another shot before proceeding.

If that fails, then I am looking to bail on my Open Sports as "defective," what is a good wheel to replace them with. I guess another set of Open Sports would fit the bill, but do Open Pros work well on cross bikes, or is there something else out there that people are raving about as an economic quality wheel.

Adrien, the JTS sizing was pretty funny compared to both of my roadies. While I am a solid 58 in both my Trek and my Habby, I was just long enough to get onto a 56 JTS. The 54 was just a little small.

As others have noted, it is not the rim, it's the spokes. I have the same bike, am about the same size as you, and had the same problem. Had it re-spoked with DT spokes and have not had problems with the wheels since (and I ride offroad quite a bit). I figure it should cost you about 25$ to have the rear wheel done. For what it's worth, I had the same problem with my Kona mountain bike - and have heard of others with similar experiences. Just not the best job done at the factory, I'm afraid.

Adrien, the JTS sizing was pretty funny compared to both of my roadies. While I am a solid 58 in both my Trek and my Habby, I was just long enough to get onto a 56 JTS. The 54 was just a little small.


Yup, my experience as well. I'm close to 6'3, and the 60 was a little on the big side (I was previously sized for a roadie at 60 or 61) so my JTS is a 58. I think it's that the BB is a little higher off the ground.

As for the wheel, I wouldn't get rid of it. I'd have someone change out the rear spokes and basically rebuild it -- the parts (rim and hub) are good parts. Heck if you don't want them, perhaps we can talk...

BTW, was that you I saw this morning...coming down W&OD along i66 just before Custis intersects, maybe around 820 or so? JTS's are hard to miss. I commute from Old Town to Tysons along that route...

Not me, I was on my Habby commuting from Reston out past Sterling on the W&OD this a.m. The rear on the JTS popped its most recent spoke over the weekend, so it is on the sidelines right now. The wheel is anything but true.
A

Have the same bike, same year, and had the same problem.

Started busting spokes on the FRONT wheel, and then they started going a few at a time. They would even bust during the night! Some folks go for decades without busting a spoke on the front. And, the spokes wouldn't break at areas of typical stress concentration, but instead would bust mid-spoke. I examined my spokes, and they had rust banding every 5-8 cm along the length of the spoke, and this on (supposedly) stainless steel spokes. This was only on the front wheel -- the rear spokes were fine.

I think that Kona got a batch of bad spokes, with rotten stainless in them. I replaced all my spokes on the front wheel, and the wheel has been great and true ever since. I think the odds are overwhelming that your wheel has the same problem -- bad, corroded spokes, due to the metallurgy. Don't ditch your wheels, just replace the spokes.

By the way, if you're cutting them out, BE VERY CAREFUL. I started cutting mine out, and a spoke spontaneously broke, rocketed out through the rim hole, and nearly impaled my eye! Definitely wear eye protection if you do it.

I have generally been unhappy with quality control on the Kona. Think now that they're far more marketing hype than quality build.