Breaking Spokes
06-11-08, 07:59 AM
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Breaking Spokes
I have an 02 Specialized Allez road bike that is all stock. This season I've been doing more riding than I ever have and have broke 2 rear spokes over the past 2 weeks. I'm beginning to wonder if the amount of riding I'm doing is exceeding the limitations of the wheels on this bike or if they are simply getting old and brittle or if I just need to have the wheel rebuilt. I hate to have to keep bringing the bike in everytime I snap a spoke, and at the rate I'm going I have to believe I'll snap another one here shortly. Should I opt for new wheels or do a rebuild of the existing wheels. What I have on there currently is Alex RL-2002 wheels.
06-11-08, 08:48 AM
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There are many threads on this topic so you will want to do a search for more details but you probably need a wheel rebuild or new wheel. Regular spoke breakage is the symptom. Once a well tensioned wheel is build, you can get many thousands of miles out of them.
06-11-08, 08:58 AM
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I'd consider rebuilding the rear with double butted spokes and a new rim if the old one is worn or bent. Mavic Open Pro rim with 32 double butted spokes would be bombproof.
06-11-08, 10:00 AM
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Before you do a full rebuild, have the shop check and possibly re-tension the wheel. Too-low tension can cause breakage and many mass-produced wheels don't have enough tension, especially for heavier riders.
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06-11-08, 10:41 AM
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If you bought the bike new have the shop check for a possible re-call. I believe Specialized had a run of defective wheels. You may be able to get your replaced. Otherwise have it rebuilt with new spokes or replaced.
Al
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06-11-08, 07:19 PM
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Stop recommending these rims as a bombproof combination, there are plenty of much, much stronger rim combinations out there.
OP: The RL2002 rims that come stock on your bike are really bombproof on a good handbuilt wheelset with good spokes on a good hub. If it's not totally worn or destroyed, it's worth rebuilding it on a cheap but durable hub and double/straight gauge stainless spokes by a competent mechanic.
06-12-08, 10:48 AM
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I agree. I have the Open Pro/ DB spoke combo and love them but would hardly consider them bombproof. I just built a tandem wheel using the AeroHeat which is a similar extrusion to the Dyad - very strong rim. I'm dying to build up a set of the Aeroheads perhaps using an OC rear. Any experience with the OC?
