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Old 04-21-20 | 09:51 AM
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cyccommute
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From: Denver, CO

Bikes: Some silver ones, a red one, a black and orange one, and a few titanium ones

Originally Posted by Toddstar71
Hi everyone - I have an 18 month old Giant Cypress DX that had some spokes come off the hub - I was running late and had to go to work and rode anyway. As I was shifting down, the derailleur came completely apart. Like it was hit by a truck. I had the wheel re trued a year earlier (I am 6'6", 338lbs) where the bike shop guy made a comment that I was a big guy and you know this happens, I asked why they sold me a bike that may not support me then (that was my third and last bike I will buy there)? Anyway, I need to get it road worthy again - what rear wheel should I be getting? Something that will hold me structurally. I only ride on hard surfaces - the only "banging" the bike does is sidewalk to road bumps.

I will try to attach pics.

Thanks!
I think you are looking at two different problems. First, the wheel is inadequate. It is only a 32 spoke wheel with 2.0mm spokes. That’s not a very strong wheel even for someone a hundred pounds less than you. Your size...height...also puts more stress on the wheels than someone shorter. Your long legs put down a lot of power. That’s a lot of stress on the spokes and those spokes aren’t the best. As others have said, you should look into either having a wheel built or built one yourself. Go to at least a 36 spoke hub and use a spoke like the DT Swiss Alpine III. It has a thicker head and is stronger. Go read this article for details. The spokes are available through Quality Bicycle Products (QBP) so if you have a shop build it, they can get the spokes because QBP is the major wholesaler in the US. I build all my wheels with this spoke and have had 20 years of success with them.

The other problem is probably unrelated to the wheel problem. I suspect that your derailer hanger is bent. It allowed the derailer to hit the spokes. The replaceable hanger should have broken before the derailer got damaged. But stuff happens. On a positive note, the hanger is meant to break before the frame does.

I don’t agree that the bike isn’t made for your weight. The rear wheel isn’t adequate but the bike itself is fine. Nor has the shop done you a disservice. The manufacturer and the bike culture of minimizing weight at the expense of strength has but not the bike shop. Work with them and see if they can get you a better wheel. QBP will build a wheel in just about any configuration you want. It won’t be cheap...starting at about $150... but you can have one that is strong.
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