solidfish

My rear hub broke this morning on my way to work. Not sure what the cause was, though I've searched and this seems to be a known problem with Bontrager Race Lite hubs. I doubt this can be repaired, so i'm looking to just get it replaced.

Would anyone know what type of hub I could get to replace this? Its a 24h rim with a 9spd cassette, and standard QR. Not sure what more information I need. I did a search on ebay for 24h hub and it doesnt look like they are same.. ??

Thanks

solidfish

These are Bontrager Race Lite wheelset with Bontrager hubs, though it says DT Swiss on them as well.

dabac

Ah, that is definitely broken. There's one spoke on the left in pic 1 and 2 that isn't looking too happy either.

You've got two issues between you and a hub replacement:
1)the heavily bladed spokes won't fit through the holes in the flanges of a regular hub. It's supposed to be possible to file slots in the spoke holes of a regular hub to allow bladed spokes to be fitted, but I have no idea how well such a hub would hold up
2) Your new hub - assuming it can take bladed spokes - has to have pretty much spot on the same spoke hole circle diameter if you're going to get away with reusing spokes and rim.

One option is to get a hub that takes more traditional spokes(not as heavily bladed), and new spokes and reuse the rim. Fairly straightforward operation, parts are easy to come by.
Or find another 24H hub that is a direct replacement.
or buy an new wheel, sell the rim on as a spare to someone who has had a close encounter with a pothole.

Or see if there's any good will/warranty to be had from the manufacturer. It's not like your riding has been the key to make that happen.

MichaelW

You are better off buying a complete new wheel that uses std 32 spoke components. You existing rim is a consumable, you may want to keep it as a spare for the front wheel when that wears out.

jimc101

This, in addition to the hub, a couple of the spokes need replacing, for the cost of a replacement hub & spokes, being as they are non standard (24 hole hub and straight pull bladed spokes) it would be easier to get a 32/36hole wheel with j-bend spokes which can easily be repaired when necessary.

fietsbob

" My rear hub broke this morning on my way to work. "


May I, also suggest , for commuting , a more common ,say, 32, 2xf/36,3xr spoke,, cross wheel..
[lower tangent, 3 & 4 cross is even less spoke pull out subject..]

to be just more durable and practical.. given that is what you're using the bike for, ...


Yea they bought DT bladed spokes, the paired holes allow enough room for the blade to pass through..

have wheelbuilder use round DB spokes this time..

dabac

Really?

demoncyclist

Those sure look like j-bend bladed spokes to me. Same thing I have on my Gipiemme Parades. Not that I see the need for bladed spokes myself, but they cam with the wheels. That being said, if this were my bike, I would switch to a more traditional wheelset. That is my plan for the Gipiemmes too. they look cool, but when they start giving me trouble, I will go to a more standard wheelset.

fietsbob

may get another wheel from dealer if this is a within warrantee [a year] for flange crack spoke pull out.

save that one for time trial races, or that big triathlon race day. get something else for commuting..

solidfish

Thanks all for the comments! I'm shopping around right now for a direct replacement hub, or will swap the spokes. I didnt realize the bladed spokes wouldnt fit through the holes. Thanks so much for pointing that out!

fietsbob

Ask at the Trek Dealership , it's their Product. Bontrager is a Wholly owned Trek Brand name..

Retro Grouch 

Yup. Sometimes boreing is good. There's a lot to be said for a plain old Ultegra Open Pro wheelset.

solidfish

I found another hub to replace this but looks like the cost of fixing the rim is going to be around $50 - $70. Not sure if this is worth it. Any thoughts? Are the Bontrager Race Lites really worth it?

Crankycrank

Like the others have mentioned you're better off first contacting TREK to see if there is any warranty coverage and if not get a good 32 or 36 hole rim/hub
setup that can withstand daily use. You'll probably be back here sooner or later with another broken wheel otherwise.

solidfish

So I contacted trek and they said they could replace the hub with a receipt for purchase. These wheels came off a Trek Madone but I dont have that bike, nor have any receipts or credit card statements to show it (it was several years ago). Any ideas on how I could get Trek to assist with this?

rhenning

Trek will not warranty anything unless you are the original purchaser and have proof of that with receipts that you are the original purchaser. If you got a good deal on these from another source or lost the receipts you are basically SOL. Trek doesn't like to warranty Craigs list items. Roger

DX-MAN

https://bikeisland.com/cgi-bin/BKTK_S...ls&ProdID=1450

$110, complete set, 24-spoke. Free shipping. I've dealt with them before, they're decent.

From what you say about your 'receipt status' re: your Madone, I'd say dealing with Trek will cost you more.

RubeRad

I'm curious what the hub-breaking experience was like. Did it break on a bump or a curb? Did you hear it or feel it? Can you still ride at all? Is the wheel massively untrue?

fietsbob

contact the dealer you bought the bike from..

Standard practice, there are inventory cards for every bike built up in the shop.

Buyer fills in the sold to: information , and it's on file.

If you just bought the wheels, 2nd hand, and are not the original buyer of the bike .

you got no claim at all.

then you start from scratch , pay retail for a new, same kind, hub.

Al1943

My wife's bike is equipped with the same wheels. I'm sorry but they just SUCK.
You'd be much better off with a conventional 32 spoke (double butted) 3-cross, or 36 spoke if you put a heavy load on the bike.