Clydesdales/Athenas (200+ lb / 91+ kg) - Specialized Crosstrail pops 2nd spoke in a week!

Went back to the bike store several times with this bike. The stock tires were not the best and I kept getting flats. Any little thing was getting through the tire to the tubes. Rear wheel spoke broke twice this week. LBS giving me a steep discount on a more strongly built wheel. I am just going with it in the rear and will see how this works out.

I solved the flatting out with Slime tubes. The wheel itself throwing a spoke was not so easily remedied!

So uber-clydes this may not be a stock solution for you. Nice bike but you have to put some money into it to make it up to snuff. Just my experience with this bike.

Anyone else have any issues with this bike?

I bet after you pop the first spoke its easier to pop further spokes.

I bet after you pop the first spoke its easier to pop further spokes.

I had the first one fixed. This was a new one.

Maybe a lousy mechanic? I've paid big bucks to shop guys not willing to set the spokes at proper tension rather than just replacing and truing the wheel.

I'm not an uber clyde and have had this problem several times on all models. It's ez but shop guys avoid the WORK. I think they are actually scrared to do it, unsure of their sklills.

If you are an uber and they don't properly service the new wheel, you're in for more of the same.:(...They pulled that carp on me at 240.:eek:

Get some good tires like Specialized Armadillos. THey are heavy but super stiff and thick. I had them on our tandem, combined weight of over 400 lbs. No flat, no pinching. The suckers pretty much stand in the center of the room on their own. By far the toughest tire I've seen in my 13 years of riding. A little heavy if you're racing, but are you!:p

I have the armadillos on my Roubaix and Tricross, They don't make them for the Crosstrail. As for racing.....only with the Moon!:D

I used to pop spokes on my Specialized FSR XC all the time. I broke a spoke every time I went for a ride. It was getting pretty annoying. I had the wheel rebuilt with a beefy rim and Swiss DT spokes. It's been great ever since.

Maybe a lousy mechanic? I've paid big bucks to shop guys not willing to set the spokes at proper tension rather than just replacing and truing the wheel.

I'm not an uber clyde and have had this problem several times on all models. It's ez but shop guys avoid the WORK. I think they are actually scrared to do it, unsure of their sklills.

Agree with Beanz on this one: having a competent wheel builder true the wheel and correctly set the spoke tension may go a long way toward fixing the problems! Are the shop guys checking the tension on each spoke using something like a Park TM-1? How much does the tension vary from spoke to spoke?

What is a UBER ?????? I know i should know this and many other temrs used here but I don't

Maybe a lousy mechanic? I've paid big bucks to shop guys not willing to set the spokes at proper tension rather than just replacing and truing the wheel.

I'm not an uber clyde and have had this problem several times on all models. It's ez but shop guys avoid the WORK. I think they are actually scrared to do it, unsure of their sklills.

If you are an uber and they don't properly service the new wheel, you're in for more of the same.:(...They pulled that carp on me at 240.:eek:

Get some good tires like Specialized Armadillos. THey are heavy but super stiff and thick. I had them on our tandem, combined weight of over 400 lbs. No flat, no pinching. The suckers pretty much stand in the center of the room on their own. By far the toughest tire I've seen in my 13 years of riding. A little heavy if you're racing, but are you!:p

That's a little unfair...

If someone breaks a spoke, odds are that the other spokes are just about as weak as the one that broke. So you put a new spoke in the wheel and retension it. There's still a good chance another spoke is going to pop; the first one broke, didn't it? If you're a clyde and you break a spoke, just plan right there on getting a new, stronger wheel.

Also, the #1 reason for broken spokes that I've seen is people riding like lifeless lumps of putty. If you're a clyde and you just sit your arse on your bike and don't ever raise up off of the saddle, then yeah....you're going to break spokes.

Me, I'm 320 pounds and ride low spoke-count road wheels. I also had a set of Run RPMs from the late 90s....XC MTB wheels with "race only" light rims, and 2.0-1.5-2.0 spokes. I jumped with those wheels, I dropped off of things with those wheels. I've never broken a spoke in my life. Honestly, I fully believe that weight has less to do with spoke breakage than technique does.

What is a UBER ?????? I know i should know this and many other temrs used here but I don't

Uber-clyde is a fellow over 300 pounds.

If someone breaks a spoke, odds are that the other spokes are just about as weak as the one that broke. So you put a new spoke in the wheel and retension it. There's still a good chance another spoke is going to pop; the first one broke, didn't it? If you're a clyde and you break a spoke, just plan right there on getting a new, stronger wheel.

Also, the #1 reason for broken spokes that I've seen is people riding like lifeless lumps of putty. If you're a clyde and you just sit your arse on your bike and don't ever raise up off of the saddle, then yeah....you're going to break spokes.



On a brand new bike? Means the mechanic didn't set up the bike proeperly, doesn't it? He let it out of the shop with dangerously low tension. His fault , I would think.

And that's bull about getting a new stronger wheel. I'v paid big bicks for builders to build a wheel. Velocity Deep V with 32 DT swiss 3X. The thing didn't last 40 miles. I took it bakc and the guy said to bring it back after 3 months. I coldn't even ride the wheel wiht a closed brake caliper. No, there are just too many sorry wheelguys!:mad:

Built my own and have over 16000 miles on it and haven't trued it after the initial 300 mile retension.

I wonder how many miles you have on the low spoke count road wheels? I know plenty of riders that state they have HAD them for 3 years but usualy turns out they haven't been on the bike for over a year!:p

I know plenty of 220 lb guys that can't get more than a year (5000 miles) out of expensive sets. Mavic Ksyriums (cracked arond the nips).

Agree with Beanz on this one: having a competent wheel builder true the wheel and correctly set the spoke tension may go a long way toward fixing the problems! Are the shop guys checking the tension on each spoke using something like a Park TM-1? How much does the tension vary from spoke to spoke?


I know some guys are good builders, but that depends on if they are feeling like undependable morons on that day.

I had a wheel built for my tandem 48 Deep V with DT swiss spokes. Should have done it myself but trusted the pros as the tandem shop. Broke a spoke after 100 miles.:eek:

Took it back and without notice,the shop sold to another outfit. Shop was closed for a couple of months! I replaced it then broke another 40. I inspected the wheel only to find the spokes breaking were no name POS spokes he subbed, must have run short on the spokes I ordered and payed for!

I replaced the spokes, then loosened and retensioned everything myself. Nomore broken spokes in over 1000 miles. I should have done it myslef but trustd the pros since it was a tandem wheel!:(

The armadillos are the best. I had an issue like this with a mountain bike, just keep getting flats. The shop finally re-ran the tape on the inside of the rim and trashed the tire, so I got a brand new tire, re-taped rim and new tube and no more flats since.

I road 4k in 2008 and got 2 flats with Armadillos on both my cycle-cross (kona Major Jake) and road (Specialized S-Works Roubaix)

My experience is that flats are pretty erratic anyway. You can go 6 months without any, then have 3 in a week, then go without any for a while. It doesn't always mean anything.

On a brand new bike? Means the mechanic didn't set up the bike proeperly, doesn't it? He let it out of the shop with dangerously low tension. His fault , I would think.

And that's bull about getting a new stronger wheel. I'v paid big bicks for builders to build a wheel. Velocity Deep V with 32 DT swiss 3X. The thing didn't last 40 miles. I took it bakc and the guy said to bring it back after 3 months. I coldn't even ride the wheel wiht a closed brake caliper. No, there are just too many sorry wheelguys!:mad:

Built my own and have over 16000 miles on it and haven't trued it after the initial 300 mile retension.

I wonder how many miles you have on the low spoke count road wheels? I know plenty of riders that state they have HAD them for 3 years but usualy turns out they haven't been on the bike for over a year!:p

I know plenty of 220 lb guys that can't get more than a year (5000 miles) out of expensive sets. Mavic Ksyriums (cracked arond the nips).

That happens no matter how much the rider weighs. We've had 160 pound guys bring those wheels in with cracked rims.

I had a set of Reynolds Alta wheels with about 3000 miles on them. Not many, I know, but I never even trued them. The Sun RPM wheels had about 10,000 miles of off and on road use before I sold them.

I didn't notice that the spoke problem was on a new bike.

I'll just leave this one alone though, cuz you obviously have issues with shops and mechanics. Couldn't possibly be a crap wheel on a new Specialized, a bad set of spokes, or any such thing.... Gotta be the mechanic.

If someone breaks a spoke, odds are that the other spokes are just about as weak as the one that broke. So you put a new spoke in the wheel and retension it. There's still a good chance another spoke is going to pop; the first one broke, didn't it? If you're a clyde and you break a spoke, just plan right there on getting a new, stronger wheel.

I will, respectfully, disagree with this opinion. I've seen more bikes than I care to admit roll off the showroom floor with brand-new wheels that are in poor condition. Spoke tension, in particular, seems to be something that many mechanics neglect to check when they're assembling a bike. I guess they receive the wheels pre-assembled and assume that they perfect. Sadly, many low- to mid-range wheels could use some attention... especially if the rider is a Clydesdale!

I will, respectfully, disagree with this opinion. I've seen more bikes than I care to admit roll off the showroom floor with brand-new wheels that are in poor condition. Spoke tension, in particular, seems to be something that many mechanics neglect to check when they're assembling a bike. I guess they receive the wheels pre-assembled and assume that they perfect. Sadly, many low- to mid-range wheels could use some attention... especially if the rider is a Clydesdale!

I guess I'm writing from my experience and that doesn't mesh well with the experiences of some of the rest of you. In MY experience, I have never seen a bike leave our shop and then return within a year with a broken spoke. In fact, the only broken spokes we see much of at all are on Wal-Mart bikes. Every once in a while a Cat 2 guy or a Masters guy will come in with a broken spoke, but it just isn't a problem I have personally seen.

And I thought everyone knew that you had to tension and true the wheels on new bikes; especially those in the $1000 and under range. The machines seem to not be able to tension wheels correctly. I honestly can't imagine a shop putting a bike on the floor with the wheels untouched. I don't think even our sloppiest competitor would do that..... Guess it's different in other parts of the country.

So what I am learning her is that if I want a good wheel I am going to have to learn to do it myself.

PlatyPius, I can assure you that I raise my sorry posterior off the seat quite often!:D

I had the same problem with my Fuji Newest that was bought brand new last winter. Was poping rear spokes every two weeks. I finally had to demand a new rim from the shop I bought it from. The owner keep trying to hint in a nice way that it was my size. I knew it was a bad wheel. I did get a new wheel for free, have not had a issue with it yet.

I honestly can't imagine a shop putting a bike on the floor with the wheels untouched. I don't think even our sloppiest competitor would do that..... Guess it's different in other parts of the country.

Not to take it out on you personally, but like you say, different part of the country I guess!:D... But I've bought bikes from local high end shops where the rear wheel won't roll cause it's wedged up agains the pads, it's so untrue. Another loose BB. And these ar the highend guys!:p

Evertyin ther was a problem, I banged the bike on the sales counter, I don't know how to shift gears, I weigh too much. One time they couldn't blame me was when the mechanic crunched my new frame in the workstand.:roflmao2:

The one time I did have a mechanic ask me to let him work on the wheels was at Supergo before they were Performance. And the other guys rag on them!:eek:

I've tipped guys $30 on $50 jobs only to later find out they botched the job!

Where do you live, I'll move there!

I've named the shops and carpy service on the forums before but their racer buds whine about it! I only think it's fair since they are rec'ing business online for their friends! I consider it saving some locals a few headaches!:thumb:

So what I am learning her is that if I want a good wheel I am going to have to learn to do it myself.

PlatyPius, I can assure you that I raise my sorry posterior off the seat quite often!:D

There is always one guy that does a great job everytime. But he's hard to find! I only go to him for BB service since I don't have the tools. Everything else is a do-it-yerselfer!:thumb:

I've found Deep V rims on sale for $25 in the past. Used a hub from another wheel. $50, great and inexpensive wheel. Someshops have charged me $100 for labor alone!:eek:

Well. I give this one shop tons of business and on this bike I feel I am getting hosed. Everyone gets a first time but if it continues I'll go spend elsewhere. Just that simple.

I am getting to the point where at times I find it hard to believe anyone at a bike shop!

I feel a whole lot better. The bike shop will set me up with a new rear wheel at cost and will fix and return the wheel with the broken spoke. Works for me and makes me happy!

He's a fellow Hoosier, I am pretty sure, Beanz. You'd have to get used to snow and subzero temps, though.


Not to take it out on you personally, but like you say, different part of the country I guess!:D... But I've bought bikes from local high end shops where the rear wheel won't roll cause it's wedged up agains the pads, it's so untrue. Another loose BB. And these ar the highend guys!:p

Evertyin ther was a problem, I banged the bike on the sales counter, I don't know how to shift gears, I weigh too much. One time they couldn't blame me was when the mechanic crunched my new frame in the workstand.:roflmao2:

The one time I did have a mechanic ask me to let him work on the wheels was at Supergo before they were Performance. And the other guys rag on them!:eek:

I've tipped guys $30 on $50 jobs only to later find out they botched the job!

Where do you live, I'll move there!

I've named the shops and carpy service on the forums before but their racer buds whine about it! I only think it's fair since they are rec'ing business online for their friends! I consider it saving some locals a few headaches!:thumb:

He's a fellow Hoosier, I am pretty sure, Beanz. You'd have to get used to snow and subzero temps, though.

Yup. Just south of you a bit.

I've been in the business around here for a while now, and I've never heard of problems like these around here. I've heard nothing but good things about Hodson's Bay up by Stormcrowe, and mostly good things about all of the shops in Indy. There is, of course, one shop that has a pretty poor reputation - there always is. They are a Bicycle Supermarket, if you know what I mean. I applied for a job there many years ago...back in '97 or so. The owner's wife told me I was too fat to work there. For those who live in the Indy area, the bike shop in question is usually referred to by 3 letters (and it isn't ICS).

The place mentioned above tends to hire 'less skilled' and 'less experienced' mechanics, so I guess I can see how some shops could indeed push bikes out the door without having been built properly. I just get defensive when someone goes off on bike mechanics. I try to take care of my customers and give them more than they pay for.

After the 4th broken spoke on my new Crosstrail, my LBS handbuilt a new rear wheel for me, under warrantee. Switched to a stronger 36H Alex Adventurer, with DT Swiss double butted spokes.

Magic, no more problem.

I weigh 185#

I have heard of several new Crosstrails with the same problem.................. many on this forum...

For those who live in the Indy area, the bike shop in question is usually referred to by 3 letters (and it isn't ICS).

I live on Indy's north side. The shop you're referring to sold us our first pair of bikes. We had a great salesman and a great overall experience as a couple of noobs. Upon return trips we ran into the biker snobs who judged us by our size but then couldn't answer our direct questions about our gear and some upgrades we were after.

PM me if you want, but what shop do you work at Platy? Curious if I've met you but didn't realize it. ;)

we ran into the biker snobs who judged us by our size but then couldn't answer our direct questions about our gear and some upgrades we were after.


Aint that the pits. I walked into a shop one day with cash in pocket aksin' about tandems. One dope told me to come back when I got serious!:eek:.....One tandem and 8 bikes later, who's the dope?:roflmao2:

Uhh, his store is gone now!:D

Final update: Well there was a change in plan. They rebuilt the rear wheel free of charge which is still okay with me. I hope it hold up!