Need advice. I keep breaking spokes
#26
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Where are you? Chances are we could recommend someone that we have experience with ( most areas have at least one member here). If you came to my shop with this story then I would suggest to you a few options: a cheapish wheel from our distributor that we check to make sure it's built properly before you thrash on it, or a nice wheel that we do the same thing to. As for the r-501 you asked about, they're fine, but they're H E A V Y OEM wheels. At that price though you could get the set and have a competent builder go over it for another $50 and come out on top from my above suggestions.
#27
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Always stand going over bike path roots and stuff like that. Bridge ends often have quite a ledge. RR tracks. Take the shock in your legs. Yes, that's a PITA on bike paths, one of the reasons I prefer to ride on the road.
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keep in mind that a good wheelset, like your saddle, transfers well to other bikes you own in the future, and a quality wheelset can change the way a bike feels in a positive way. I'm sure someone in Houston can refer you to a good builder local to you.
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What if I switch to an all black kit? Will I be able to plow through as many pot holes as I want without taking on any damage?
#30
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No offense, but I don't believe that to be true. Side load forces induced solely by the weight of the bicycle would seem to pale in comparison to the loads involved with a rider mounted.
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Leaning the bike up so it is supported by the side of the wheel or laying the bike flat in a car with the weight of the bike on the side of the wheel can cause broken spokes. They won't break immediately but randomly for what seems like no reason.
I kept getting mysterious broken spokes, couldn't figure out why. I thought the wheels were just garbage but a mechanic mentioned the way I lay the bike in the car with the weight on the wheel. I stopped doing that and haven't had a broken spoke since.
-Tim-
I kept getting mysterious broken spokes, couldn't figure out why. I thought the wheels were just garbage but a mechanic mentioned the way I lay the bike in the car with the weight on the wheel. I stopped doing that and haven't had a broken spoke since.
-Tim-
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@vinnyvincent - first I would see if BD would just send you a new wheel. Maybe you ended up with a dud. It happens, and from what I have heard their customer service is really good. I've never had problems with OEM wheels before, or the R450 rims. I'm fairly certain those are on my CX bike and take way more abuse than hopping a curb or potholes. Also, in the future if you hear noises, get that checked out immediately, don't try to just ignore it because the problem won't magically go away.
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I got my cheap bikes direct bike back in December. Since then I've put under 900 miles on it. After the first 100 miles I took it to get the wheels trued. Ended up paying fifty bucks because a spoke needed replaced too. About 150 miles later a spoke noise developed. I rode it for a while and it just got worse, so I had it trued again. It went away and now just this evening I notice another spoke is broken.
The wheels are alexrims R450. I weigh 200lbs now. Riding mainly on bike paths and neighborhood roads. I hop the occasional curb or run into a small pothole once on a while, but nothing too bad. I rarely stand up to pedal.
Should I keep throwing money at these wheels, or get something more durable? Am I expecting too much from the 700x28 wheels?
The wheels are alexrims R450. I weigh 200lbs now. Riding mainly on bike paths and neighborhood roads. I hop the occasional curb or run into a small pothole once on a while, but nothing too bad. I rarely stand up to pedal.
Should I keep throwing money at these wheels, or get something more durable? Am I expecting too much from the 700x28 wheels?
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So what's a lower end, yet more durable wheel if I do go that route? I think an equivalent Alexrim cost fifty dollars. Can I get a decent rear wheel for 100 or should I spend more? My only requirement is durability, not worried about weight.
I have a sora 8 speed rear derailleur/cassette.
I have a sora 8 speed rear derailleur/cassette.
Look on ebay. You can find a nice used mavic or campy set for $200-300
here you go https://www.ebay.com/itm/Campagnolo-Z...gAAOSwwpdW8F2b
https://www.ebay.com/itm/Easton-Wheel...QAAOSwAuNW2kT8
Last edited by mjf1288; 03-23-16 at 08:44 AM.
#36
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@rpenmanparker lives close to me and has offered to rebuild the wheels using new spokes, so I am going to go that route.
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These ARE new wheels! lol...they only have 800 miles on them.
@rpenmanparker lives close to me and has offered to rebuild the wheels using new spokes, so I am going to go that route.
@rpenmanparker lives close to me and has offered to rebuild the wheels using new spokes, so I am going to go that route.
oh those wheels are terrible, I had them, just get new wheels. Just being honest here
#38
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Hrm...I suppose for a little more I could just get a new wheelset and still have @rpenparker work on them.
I mean the spokes are going to cost me 50+/- anyways. For an additional 50 I could just buy that shimano set I had linked...or used.
I mean the spokes are going to cost me 50+/- anyways. For an additional 50 I could just buy that shimano set I had linked...or used.
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Another plus to that decision is I won't have to go bikeless while I wait on him to build the wheels. I can just ride the one with a broken spoke until he is finished...not only that but my local REI has those wheels in stock, so I can just walk in and buy them. Should I get the trued right off the bat or wait until I have ridden them a little?
#41
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I've had a hard time finding one too. My ace mechanic is not competent at wheel building. And the wheel builder I like, often delegates to someone else.
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Two wheels good. Four wheels bad.
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Two wheels good. Four wheels bad.
#42
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Yeah it looks like I got lucky and found one right here in this thread. I'm going to bring my wheels to him on friday so he can inspect them.
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Another plus to that decision is I won't have to go bikeless while I wait on him to build the wheels. I can just ride the one with a broken spoke until he is finished...not only that but my local REI has those wheels in stock, so I can just walk in and buy them. Should I get the trued right off the bat or wait until I have ridden them a little?
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You should still see if BD will send you a replacement wheel for free. An extra wheel never hurts
#45
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Yeah the bike was a gift from my GF, so I am seeing if she has the order number. I'm hoping I can get a spare wheel from BD and still get the old ones re-laced, that way I'll have a spare.
#46
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In that case, you may want to run wider tires at lower pressure.
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I weigh 185 and run over root bumps and other stuff all the time Only 20000 miles on my present set of wheels with 23mm tires so far
Op has crappy wheels. Let more than they are worth to rebuild. Getting a good set of wheels is a rite of passage
Op has crappy wheels. Let more than they are worth to rebuild. Getting a good set of wheels is a rite of passage
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I agree with this. I was having problems with wheels staying true bu never broke a spoke. Then I bought better quality wheels and now, while I might still have issues like my rear derailleur ghost shifting (I think I got that fixed too), my wheels are no longer an issue.
#50
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I bought these and have been very happy: New 2016 Shimano WH RS31 Road Bike Wheelset 700c RS31 Clincher Wheels Black | eBay
A little more than your budget but bladed spokes!
A little more than your budget but bladed spokes!