Bicycle Mechanics - Broken spokes and a couple of questions

Hi folks,

I broke a spoke and bent my rear rim on my Trek Navigator 200 about a month ago. Took it to my LBS and they repaired it although the rim wasn't perfectly true.

While changing a flat the other day I noticed 2 more broken spokes and even more bend in the same wheel. I figure it's probably a good idea just to replace the rim now.

So here are my questions:
1. Replace both or just the rear rim?
2. I've gone about 20 miles on the rim in the current conditions, can I continue to ride until I get it repaired?
3. I like the look of a black rim, does the black chip off when changing flats?
4. My rim says 26" x 1.5. Nashbar.com has rims in that size in two widths of hubs 110 mm and 135 mm. How do I know which size to get.

Thx in advance

1. I'd replace the rear only. I'd check the front for loose spokes but you probably won't find any. My bet is that your front wheel is OK.
2. You can ride on it the way that it is as long as you don't get farther away from your car than you're willing to walk back. It's only a matter of time until that wheel turns into a potato chip that won't turn in the frame anymore.
3. Generally, the black stays on quite well. I like black rims too.
4. 110mm is for front wheels. I'm 95% confident your Navigator will need a 135mm rear hub.

Hi folks,

I broke a spoke and bent my rear rim on my Trek Navigator 200 about a month ago. Took it to my LBS and they repaired it although the rim wasn't perfectly true.

While changing a flat the other day I noticed 2 more broken spokes and even more bend in the same wheel. I figure it's probably a good idea just to replace the rim now.

So here are my questions:
1. Replace both or just the rear rim?
2. I've gone about 20 miles on the rim in the current conditions, can I continue to ride until I get it repaired?
3. I like the look of a black rim, does the black chip off when changing flats?
4. My rim says 26" x 1.5. Nashbar.com has rims in that size in two widths of hubs 110 mm and 135 mm. How do I know which size to get.

Thx in advance

How big are you? I started out riding my Navigator 300 at 290lbs. It brought me a new nickname at the LBS, The Spoke Guy or the Spokinator. I unintentionally did a jump - the trail ended abrubtly with no warning! - and ruined the back rim. I got a new one which was fine for about 500 miles, then spokes started to go. After the seventh one went, I just bought some extra ones. I became very adept at replacing a spoke, truing the wheel, and being back ready to ride in 30 minutes. By the time I got fed up, I had replaced most of the original spokes.

But, then it got to be a pain, so I got a bomb proof 32 hold Sun Rhyolite rim. I put several thousand miles on that rim with no problems. I would talk to your LBS and see what they recommend.

Hello, I just posted the message below in the Commuting section, but it follows more in this thread.
The spokes on my Trek 7100 (2002) rear wheel keep popping from their mooring, compelling me to return routinely (every other weeks, it seems) to the dealer to replace them. It's always one spoke at a time, and the event occurs exclusively when I am going uphill. Perhaps I can now claim the title of Spokinator. It happens even when the incline is modest but seems to occur when I am using a higher gear than may be appropriate. I weigh about 240 pounds and carry a few more pounds of stuff (i.e., lock, towel, tools and small radio) on my rack. I commute about 20 miles RT per day but also ride to the beach (about 12 miles RT) and routinely take other trips up to 40 miles RT. Am I too big for the Trek 7100? I routinely go over hills and on bike paths. Of course, this could be a design or manufacturing flaw in the wheel itself but I think it more likely that my size and riding traits may have more to do with this. Any advice and insight as to how to solve this persistent issue would be much appreciated. Thanks!

Thx very much for the advice. I am 6' 210# and I ride mostly on hills and tend to hammer up them mostly out of the saddle. I know that I put alot of stress on the bike that way but for some reason I prefer to climb standing most of the time.

I see the suggestion of the Sun rynolite. I do want something that's very durable. Shimano and Mavik are also in the price range. Suggestions?

Thx very much for the advice. I am 6' 210# and I ride mostly on hills and tend to hammer up them mostly out of the saddle. I know that I put alot of stress on the bike that way but for some reason I prefer to climb standing most of the time.

I see the suggestion of the Sun rynolite. I do want something that's very durable. Shimano and Mavik are also in the price range. Suggestions?

Rhyno lites are very tough rims, but I think that the key to the whole thing is the quality of the building job. There is no reason why a wheel that is properly and evenly tensioned shouldn't last you for a very long time. Lots of factory built wheels suck! The biggest issue is that they don't have enough tension on the left side spokes of the rear wheel.

Hello, I just posted the message below in the Commuting section, but it follows more in this thread.
The spokes on my Trek 7100 (2002) rear wheel keep popping from their mooring, compelling me to return routinely (every other weeks, it seems) to the dealer to replace them. It's always one spoke at a time, and the event occurs exclusively when I am going uphill. Perhaps I can now claim the title of Spokinator. It happens even when the incline is modest but seems to occur when I am using a higher gear than may be appropriate. I weigh about 240 pounds and carry a few more pounds of stuff (i.e., lock, towel, tools and small radio) on my rack. I commute about 20 miles RT per day but also ride to the beach (about 12 miles RT) and routinely take other trips up to 40 miles RT. Am I too big for the Trek 7100? I routinely go over hills and on bike paths. Of course, this could be a design or manufacturing flaw in the wheel itself but I think it more likely that my size and riding traits may have more to do with this. Any advice and insight as to how to solve this persistent issue would be much appreciated. Thanks!

The Navigator and 7100 all have the same stock rim, Matrix 550, so it could be they are not equipped for clydesdales. Which ends are popping free and what, exactly do you mean by "popping?" Are they nipple threads being stripped or are they breaking at the elbow where they are connected to the hub? Are they always drive side or non-drive? I mainly took out drive side spokes.

Thx very much for the advice. I am 6' 210# and I ride mostly on hills and tend to hammer up them mostly out of the saddle. I know that I put alot of stress on the bike that way but for some reason I prefer to climb standing most of the time.

I see the suggestion of the Sun rynolite. I do want something that's very durable. Shimano and Mavik are also in the price range. Suggestions?

Whatever rim, insist on 36 hole with at least triple if not quadruple laced spokes both drive and non-drive. And get good, strong, double-butted spokes.

Go with a three cross pattern. The four cross may have an issue with the smaller flange of modern hubs and cause a stress riser as it crosses right over the head of an opposing spoke. Other wise double butted, 36 spoke, hand built by a good builder as Trekie suggests is a good idea. The Rhynolite is a good tuff rim for the money.

Hi folks,

I broke a spoke and bent my rear rim on my Trek Navigator 200 about a month ago. Took it to my LBS and they repaired it although the rim wasn't perfectly true.

While changing a flat the other day I noticed 2 more broken spokes and even more bend in the same wheel. I figure it's probably a good idea just to replace the rim now.

So here are my questions:
1. Replace both or just the rear rim?
2. I've gone about 20 miles on the rim in the current conditions, can I continue to ride until I get it repaired?
3. I like the look of a black rim, does the black chip off when changing flats?
4. My rim says 26" x 1.5. Nashbar.com has rims in that size in two widths of hubs 110 mm and 135 mm. How do I know which size to get.

1. There's no need to replace the front. In fact, the rear rim might still be fine. If the LBS hurried the spoke repair, that might account for the other spokes breaking. You may just need to relace the wheel with new spokes (which I'd use anyway, if replacing the rim).
2. I wouldn't with two broken spokes. Sometimes, with just one, you can fiddle with the adjacent spokes to get the wheel true enough to ride short-term, but two spokes out, even on a 36-spoke wheel, is pushing it.
3. I have no idea. Hey, if you're gonna replace the rim, try the tire levers on the existing one, and see if the anodizing chips off.
4. The hub width is irrelevant, since you're keeping it. Or are you talking about replacing the wheel (which is utterly different from replacing the rim)?