I break spokes a lot (one just last night). I am 260 pounds, add a messenger bag and a rear rack and bag and I'm probably putting almost 300 pounds on the back wheel. Add about 175 miles of riding a week on pot hole covered rodes at night (I hit them hard). To me breaking spokes is just part of riding. I replace, them retrue the wheel and get another week or two before they break again. Maybe in september when I have some time I'll rebuild the wheel. But for now its just break and ride.