Clydesdales/Athenas (200+ lb / 91+ kg) - Broken Spoke part 2

A few weeks ago I broke a spoke and posted about it here. After getting it fixed, I rode twice and a second one popped.

I don't know if I was out of bounds or not, but I took the bike promptly back to the shop and asked for them to get me a replacement wheel. Do you think this was the way to go, or should I have just had them replace the second spoke?

The biggest disappointment about this has been the fact that i've had my bike out of commission for a week or two now.

Being up here in Seattle, I'm losing that good weather day after day heheh.

Did you have them check for proper tension when ou had the spoke replaced. IF not, then they will continue to pop. By now, probably too late for the remaining spokes, already weakened at this point.

DO you mean you bought a new wheel or had them replace it through waranty? Either way, have them check for proer tension NOW and AT 200 miles as a breakin period. If you don't might as well order the 3rd wheel now!:(

Yeah I had a similar situation, kept blowing spokes on my commuter, I ended up buying a touring rear wheel and it's been great since!

Its been my experience that once you break one spoke more are to follow - not that it happens much but I'll wait until its been three or four broken spokes then buy a new wheel.

Wasn't your's a Specialized Crosstrail, like my new bike. Mine is about three months old, and I kept breaking spokes too.

Here's what my dealer did -----

" Many of you know that I've been having problems with rear spoke breakage on my new Specialized Crosstrail. It came with Alex CT double wall, 32 hole, 6061 T6, .18 dia. spoke, non-eyeletted, Shimano Parallax hub, wheels.

Recently, my LBS decided to rebuild the wheel, to resolve the issue. Observation revealed that there were more than just spoke issues, as the wheel was stress cracked at several spoke holes, and the hub spoke head holes were also damaged by scratching and gouging.

So, they hand built a wheel for me, under warrantee, using Alex 36 hole Adventurer double wall rim, 6061H T6, eyeletted, DT Swiss .20 spokes, Shimano Deore FHM 530 hub.

Upon seeing my polka dotted inner tube, they also replaced it with new, and even returned the old one figuring it had some sentimental value with all the patches. The wheel builder stated that he had never seen a tube, still holding air, with that many patches.

It looks so nice, and runs so true, that I just might, need/want, to have them build a new front to match.

I also spooned on (using my fingers only) a new set of Marathon Supremes yesterday afternoon to try to help with the flat tire issue.

To say I'm tickled pink, is an understatement."

(from a previous post)

I just went through this.. I popped one spoke on the drive side of the rear wheel. I know from experience that it wasn't a fluke... I'm sure I had other fatigued spokes in the wheel.

It cost me about $20 and three hours time to respoke the drive side, along with a half-bottle of a nice Chianti. I already own a cheap truing stand.

60 miles on it so far, and it's holding perfectly true. I have high hopes...

I like your approach:)

After seeing all the threads about broken spokes, I myself have recently experienced broken spoke syndrome. I broke my first one about a month ago and then on Monday a second broke. I went in and asked my mech and my LBS if it's cause I am a fat ass and will this keep happening(they were both on the drive side of the rear wheel). He used a politically correct term, say that we do see many broken spokes with our "larger" riders. I had to laugh. Anyway, I had them rebuild the wheel with beefier spokes upon thier recommendation. I do trust them as they have never steered me wrong yet. The spokes that came with the bike always seemed a bit thin. I have got a little over 700 miles on them before they started popping. Someone also mentioned that hand built wheels are usually better then the machine built ones that come on bikes. I am picking it up today and hopefully my problems will be solved.

I've learned my lesson when it comes to wheels. I will no longer bother dealing with the LBS's, I go directly to a wheel builder and get a nice hand built wheel, this avoids the frustrations of broken spokes and any BS from the LBS. :D

You were close on which bike I had, it's the Specialized Globe Sport.

I didn't buy the new wheel, it was covered under whatever warranty I have with the LBS.

If this continues to happen, I think I will go with the custom built route with thicker spokes.

I didn't pay, either, and my LBS really came thru for me, with the hand built HD wheel.

Sorry about the wheel problem, I'm glad the LBS covered it.

I just ordered the Globe Vienna 2 today, and should be getting it next week. Hopefully the 09's wouldn't have similar problems.

I bet I had 10 busted spokes and i dunno how many mystery flats this summer. New wheels, no problems since. buy a new wheel and save yourself some trouble.