Titanium spokes- BREAK???
#1
Thread Starter
New Orleans

Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 2,795
Likes: 3
Titanium spokes- BREAK???
Hi
I'm a bit behind the times-tech wise-so maybe someone can tell me
Are Titanium spokes known to break more commonly than "normal spokes" assuming normal spokes are SS?
i ask because I have had 5 spoke breakages on a used rear wheel-XTR hub-517 rim-titanium spokes- 26" wheel
Now 6 broken spokes in maybe 5000 miles
but these are easy miles-I ride to levee-then grind up and down levee maybe 14 times-ride home
Other wheels-no broken spokes
Thanks
charlie
I'm a bit behind the times-tech wise-so maybe someone can tell me
Are Titanium spokes known to break more commonly than "normal spokes" assuming normal spokes are SS?
i ask because I have had 5 spoke breakages on a used rear wheel-XTR hub-517 rim-titanium spokes- 26" wheel
Now 6 broken spokes in maybe 5000 miles
but these are easy miles-I ride to levee-then grind up and down levee maybe 14 times-ride home
Other wheels-no broken spokes
Thanks
charlie
#2
Senior Member

Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 2,727
Likes: 0
From: Medway, MA
Bikes: 2011 Lynskey Sportive, 1988 Cannondale SM400
From what I know of Ti spokes, they were lighter than their SS counterparts, but were prone to breakage. I don't know of anyone who has used them in years, so I think it may be time to have those wheels rebuilt with quallity DB SS spokes.
#4
Senior Member
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 33,657
Likes: 1,119
From: Pittsburgh, PA
Bikes: '96 Litespeed Catalyst, '05 Litespeed Firenze, '06 Litespeed Tuscany, '20 Surly Midnight Special, All are 3x10. It is hilly around here!
Ti spokes were a brief (and expensive) fashion statement a few years ago that appear to have gone away, probably for good reason. +1 on relacing the wheel with stainless spokes.
#5
Thread Starter
New Orleans

Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 2,795
Likes: 3
Thanks all
Yeah-bought the wheel-came with 5 spare spokes-maybe that was a hint-on ebay maybe 5-8 years ago
Bought it because nice hub nice rim-never gave any thought to the Titanium spokes
but had 6 breakages since then-NO breakages on any of the other 3 wheels
Latest one-spoke and nipple broke-
Explains why Titanium spokes never caught on-
Yeah-SS spokes are in its future.
Yeah-bought the wheel-came with 5 spare spokes-maybe that was a hint-on ebay maybe 5-8 years ago
Bought it because nice hub nice rim-never gave any thought to the Titanium spokes
but had 6 breakages since then-NO breakages on any of the other 3 wheels
Latest one-spoke and nipple broke-
Explains why Titanium spokes never caught on-
Yeah-SS spokes are in its future.
#6
Senior Member


Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 39,897
Likes: 3,865
From: New Rochelle, NY
Bikes: too many bikes from 1967 10s (5x2)Frejus to a Sumitomo Ti/Chorus aluminum 10s (10x2), plus one non-susp mtn bike I use as my commuter
Yes, titanium is far from ideal as a material for spokes. Used right it will bet you the most strength per gram of wheel weight, but it comes at a cost in life expectancy, and possibly more flex if used in hard cornering applications.
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FB
Chain-L site
An ounce of diagnosis is worth a pound of cure.
Just because I'm tired of arguing, doesn't mean you're right.
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FB
Chain-L site
An ounce of diagnosis is worth a pound of cure.
Just because I'm tired of arguing, doesn't mean you're right.
“One accurate measurement is worth a thousand expert opinions” - Adm Grace Murray Hopper - USN
WARNING, I'm from New York. Thin skinned people should maintain safe distance.
#7
Thread Starter
New Orleans

Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 2,795
Likes: 3
FBinNY
Right-not a great material
Checked ebay-sets of titanium spokes available-odd numbers 31 34 various lengths
Cheap prices-will have to see what final price is-
guess there isn't huge demand-obvious reasons
Thanks all
Charlie
Right-not a great material
Checked ebay-sets of titanium spokes available-odd numbers 31 34 various lengths
Cheap prices-will have to see what final price is-
guess there isn't huge demand-obvious reasons
Thanks all
Charlie






