MM80

I have recently bought new set of wheels from CraigsList, Reynolds Solitude.

On my rear wheel I had two times issue where radial spokes about 7 of them came loose after 45 miles ride on very decent roads.

I took them 2 times to LBS paid for wheel truing but my problem is not solved after first time LBS checked and trued the wheel, I got one loose spoke after 10 miles ride. I think I need to understand is this a wheel problem or some improper tension problem?

rpenmanparker 

The wheels need to be retensioned and retrued by a competent wheel builder. Occasionally you can find someone like that at an LBS, but not reliably. I suggest you find a local independent wheelbuilder to break down and redo you wheels.

Or maybe better yet, return them to the seller for refund. That may be the most satisfactory approach.

halfspeed

That, or the spokes are too long.

BoSoxYacht

Where do you live, that it's so hard to find a good wheelbuilder at your LBS?

moppeddler

Maybe the former owner was a fattie who pushed the limits of the wheels and when they started to give him trouble he dumped them on you?

Carbonfiberboy 

Most probably the spokes are under-tensioned. Whether that's because the spokes are too long and the nipples ran out of threads or the LBS was incompetent is impossible to determine without examining the wheels.

rpenmanparker 

Please understand I am not casting aspersions about any particular mechanic, certainly not yourself. Just saying that a general mechanic at an LBS is not necessarily expert at wheelbuilding. It you could go into any LBS and get top notch wheels built, guys like Psimet would be out of business in a hurry. When you drop off wheels at an LBS, you don 't know how good the mechanic is for that job. Much better to use a specialist especially for a recurring problem like this. Have you never noticed how frequently a similar version of this story is posted? Seems to me like all the time. Have you ever heard a similar complaint about wheels tuned up by a reputable custom wheel builder? In my experience, never.

To offer an analogy I am familiar with, I wouldn't let an alterations seamstress make me a suit. OP's job is much closer to a wheel build (making a suit) than to a simple truing (alterations), a fact that has been demonstrated by the negative resuts he has experienced.

rpenmanparker 

But if the LBS didn't realize the spokes were too long, wouldn't that also indicate incompetence? And what kind of factory built, name brand wheels have the wrong length spokes? That is unheard of.

Carbonfiberboy 

^all true . . .

Shimagnolo

I got started building my own wheels *because* the local LBS was incompetent with wheels.
And that was in a Chicago suburb.

halfspeed

No it isn't. There's a reason I brought it up.

rpenmanparker 

Please say more. I am always anxious to expand my knowledge base. Do you have one or more particular examples in mind?

BoSoxYacht

I didn't take your comment personally, it just seems strange to me that it's hard to find a good wheelbuilder. I guess it's easier if you live in a big city, and have worked in the industry for a while.

rpenmanparker 

In Houston here I am sure there are many good wheel builders among the shop mechanics. I just don't know how to identify them (if not working side by side with them every day). I do my own wheels and don't have to worry about it, but someone like OP had to make a guess.

I'm assuming OP bought the wheels used and the seller had cocked them up. But who knows what the history was?

BoSoxYacht

That's probably what happened. Without seeing them it's impossible to know what the problem is, but that wheelset is normally problem free(from what I've seen).

StanSeven

This. New wheelsets don't have this type of problem.

halfspeed

If they're machine built they do.

Bob Dopolina 

Sure, but once detentioned and retensioned the problem should be solved.

halfspeed

Yep. But what are the odds that the random intarwebz bike parts seller has done that? Hint: extremely low.

Bob Dopolina 

Agreed but hadn't the OP had them into LBS twice? Shouldn't this have already been done? I would hope so.

roadwarrior

With all due respect to the OP...how much does/do you weigh?

I get larger guys all the time looking at high end bikes. First thing I tell them is that the wheels on those bikes are made for light riders. You will want to have, at a minimum, a rear wheel built.

I had a customer who came in with a Pilot (remember Trek's journey into compact geometry)...and he bought the best Pilot they made that came with XXL whatever Bontrager. He had to ride with the rear brake open. I explained to him that there was a weight limit on the wheels. He was well over that limit. Fortunately, he did not buy the bike from us.

We built him a wheel.

Wheel building is an art. Seriously, if done well....Psimet is about the best around unless you go to a manufacturer. He was reviewed in Velonews a couple of years ago.

I tried it...don't have the patience...but I have a good friend who does that for me.

Bottom line...I don't see a mention of the weight/size of the OP and that might also be an issue.

No offense intended...

MM80

Thanks all for replies.
Sorry for late reply I was out on vacation with no internet access.
I am around 225 lbs. I know that Reynolds weight limit for this wheel set is 230 if I am not mistaken so I am close to the limit

Just an update, I retensioned the wheels my self. LBS did a poor job of retensioning the wheelset. I used park tool TM-1 tension meter and using Reynolds tension sheet for my wheelset. I have put tension little bit more then recommended for the rear wheel.

So far I had few rides 2 times 45 miles and few commutes and so far no problem with spokes loosing tension.

MM80

Just to clarify, They are take offs - New wheels.

roadwarrior

Good news...but I'd still pay attention because you could also risk breaking a spoke.

Sounds like you solved your problem for now...happy riding.

JTGraphics

I have to agree with those who say it needs to be re-tensioned and re-trued as long as all the parts are in good condition.
I had a custom wheel built by a well respected wheel builder but I kept getting loose spokes also so I can and do build my own wheels so I put it on the truing stand and brought the tension up and re-trued it to my liking and I have not touched it since 3k+ miles on it now.