Trek/CrossRip --- should I replace the wheels ?
 

Greetings,

Have ~4,000 miles on my Trek CrossRip 3... about a month ago was riding along on flat concrete and heard a spoke break. I took it in, had the wheel trued and spoke replaced. Now maybe ~ 100 miles in, it happened again... I'm wondering if the wheel is wore out. Wondering what you folks would recommend...? Should I take it back to fix this second break? Should I replace the wheels upgrading? Replace the bike... ? thinking I may have wore it out...

Any advice is appreciated
thanks
jh

If there are no cracks or other defects on the rims you might consider replacing the spokes and having the new ones properly tensioned and stress-relieved. Bikes do not "wear out" in 4000 miles.

The wheel isn’t “worn out” but it is damaged. I suspect that the wheel wasn’t prepared properly on set up and all the spokes have suffered damage. Breaking one spoke isn’t that bad but breaking 2 over such a short period of time is worrisome.

Wheels should be checked for tension when they are prepared by a shop prior to sale. Few are. I see 40 year old wheels at my co-op that have loose spokes from the factory. You haven’t told us how old the bike is but this may be a warranty issue if the wheel is less than a year old. Check with the shop if you continue to break spokes. If it isn’t covered under warranty, look into a new wheel. This one is well on the way to being a constant problem.

Aren't those "lower" spoke count wheels?
How many spokes?
How much do you weigh?
Rear wheel? NDS?

You have My Permission, if that was what you needed..

Rumor is a batch of rolls of stainless steel wire shipped to a spoke making company had inclusions it should not have had..

Check with your dealer they may give you a discount on new wheels if that was the issue
when that bike was manufactured with these weaker flawed spokes..


May..



...

I usually advise customers to chalk 2 spoke failures up to chance, and then consider having the wheel rebuilt with new spokes.

Those bikes came with reasonably speced wheels. If you are on the heavier side, or especially if you frequently carry luggage, ride less than smoothly, or on especially rough terrain, you will likely benefit from a rebuild by a good wheel builder with double butted spokes.

Bike shop has ordered new wheel... $120... free install...I should be back in business next week...

btw... 2017 CrossRip... I don't know spoke count... stock wheel... NDS ? (I'm a newbie... I don't know what that means) ... 210 pounds, no luggage, ride on a smooth greenway... no rough terrain...