Clydesdales/Athenas (200+ lb / 91+ kg) - Aerospoke Wheels

I'm new to this forum, a "Clydesdale" at 6 foot, 250 lbs. I kept breaking rear spokes on my Trek 7300 after 1000-1200 miles (I went thru 3 wheels), so I bought an Aerospoke rear wheel. As a design engineer, I can say it's a thing of aesthetic and engineering beauty, but I've had a few problems. I get a loud "click" or even a "crack" from the hub when I load it heavily from a full stop, and sometimes when "uphilling" after a coast. The Aerospoke people were real good about trying to find the problem (I drove out to their shop with the bike and wheel). They can only deduce that occasionally the pawls "skip" when first loaded. They tried new hubs/freewheel bodies, pawls, etc., nothing worked. It's a very heavy-duty 4-pawl set-up, so I'm going to live with it (which is kind of tough considering I paid $350 for it), but no more broken spokes!!! Has anyone else out ther had a similar experience with Aerospokes????

I'm new to this forum, a "Clydesdale" at 6 foot, 250 lbs. I kept breaking rear spokes on my Trek 7300 after 1000-1200 miles (I went thru 3 wheels

What kind of abuse were you subjecting your stock wheels to that you killed 3 them in 1200 miles? I'm 250 pounds (and I ride with others my size and bigger) who barely even need a wheel trued after that kind of mileage.
Sounds like the original wheel wasn't tensioned properly, and that's why the spokes were popping.

As for the Aerospoke, I used to have one on my Trek 2100. Probably had over 10K miles on it, and I did notice that sometimes the ratchet would slip a notch before the pawls would catch. It seems to me that it's a much louder sound with the Aerospoke than with a regular spoked wheel, as the vibrations resonate throughout the wheel. I didn't have any failure problems with the wheel or hub assembly, and there was a negligible aggrivation factor associated with the infrequent 'slipping.'

I didn't really abuse the wheels I had on the bike (I tried 36 and 32-spokes w/35mm tires), although about 25% of my riding is on gravel roads. And I never stand up while riding (even uphill)- too much work at 48 yrs. old!! My average speed has increased over the years to about 14-15MPH, so the wheels don't get abused that much. The Areospokes should outlast the bike. (By the way, that was a wheel every 1200 miles, not 3 wheels in 1200 miles!)

I didn't really abuse the wheels I had on the bike (I tried 36 and 32-spokes w/35mm tires), although about 25% of my riding is on gravel roads. And I never stand up while riding (even uphill)- too much work at 48 yrs. old!! My average speed has increased over the years to about 14-15MPH, so the wheels don't get abused that much. The Areospokes should outlast the bike. (By the way, that was a wheel every 1200 miles, not 3 wheels in 1200 miles!)


The Aerospoke will last you a good long time. I'm sure the thieving bastage who stole mine is still enjoying it. :mad:
While 1200 miles per wheel is better than burning through 3 in that amount of time, I still think it's indicative of a tensioning problem. I replaced the rear wheel on my '91 Stumpjumper last summer, and that was only the 3rd rear wheel replacement due to regular wear/tear. (I'd replaced one after getting hit by a truck. That doesn't count.) Sure, I've had to true them up over the course of tens of thousands of miles of commuting, and some trail riding and urban assault riding back when I was in college; but I never popped any spokes.