Bicycle Mechanics - axel upgrade

I have had problems in thas past with breaking rear axels on my bikes, most likely because of my pedaling style (standing up on the highest gear whenever possible for power). I now own a specialized epic with ritchey disc wheels and the last time i repaired a flat on the back wheel i noticed that the axel has a slight bend in it so when you turn it the wheel moves up and down. I assume the axel will break eventualy because this is the same kind of thing i noticed with my previous bikes. As this is such a nice bike i figured i would try to do it right this time. Instead of just replacing the axel, I've heard that you can buy special heavy duty axels, but i dont know where to get them or even if they are wheel specific. Is it possible to buy a stronger axel for a ritchey disc wheel (mountain) or would i need an entirely new hub or even wheel? if i can do this how much money am i looking at spending here?

hmm i didn't think that standing on the cranks would bend the axle, is it possible that either your wheel is untrue, or your quickrelease skewers are bent? It takes alot more force than standing up on the pedals to ruin an axle, force usually from jumps and crashes.

If it really is the axle, maybe check out a non-quick release axle, as that would be solid in the center. There are thicker axles, but that would require a new frame, and the frame would almost certainly be a downhill frame or freeride frame (something you would not want to casually ride around).

Are you either horribly hard on your bike or extremely heavy??

If the answer is yes, then, yeah, you're gonna need some specially-built axles. Better get thee to a good bike shop...

yes i'm pretty hard on my bike... i cant remember the last time i used the smallest front gear, and i only weigh 160 lbs

Is the axle in your hub supported by bearings at both ends, like a Shimano freehub, or do the drive side bearings support midway along, like Campy and some cartridge bearing hubs. This makes much more difference to axle bending, than the strength of the axle.
Touring cyclists used to suffer from bent and broken axles, hauling heavy panniers over rough tracks for weeks at a times. Shimano freehubs have completely eliminated this problem.

i'm pretty sure this is the hub and axel on my bike.. i dont know how to tell the difference so maybe you could tell me, this is off the ritchey website: http://www.ritcheylogic.com/images/hubmtndiscrear.jpg

eru...if thats what you have you should NOT be bending axles.

Chances are your dropout faces need to be re-aligned. If the faces arent parrallel to the axle lock nuts they will tend to 'pull' the axle thus bending it.

Two option as noted above....
1. Stronger axles are available....odds are the Ritchey hubs have it already.
2. switch to a sloid axle with nuts rather than skewers....PITA to remove/replace