Broken spokes, best option?
 

So in the last week I've broken three spokes. Two earlier this week and one either yesterday afternoon or this morning.

I of course got the first two repaired, though the third one I've not yet.

My question is are there any other options other than having a new wheel built? My lbs can build me one and he is checking on the price for me, though is 36 even going to be enough (up from 32), my lbs owner thinks a higher quality spoke in the build will help as well. The question is, is that my only option? I've only got about 150 miles on this wheel, though I am over 400 lbs (and dropping thankfully.)

This is on the stock wheel of my 2009 Hardrock Sport, with street tires and I'm not doing drops or curbs or anything. Though I can think of a few places I will avoid from now on.

You might have the spokes tensioned. Often, not always obviously, new wheels that brake spokes are a result of uneven tension all round. Have them tension the spokes and true the wheels.

What would help is just to have the tension relieved from all spokes and have the wheel trued by a good wheelbuilder. Often times on new wheels, the spokes start loosing tension after 100 miles or so. When spokes get loose, they start to break. Having the wheel tensioned and trued now that you have a few miles will help alot.

That being said, you are a big guy and if the wheel isn't a high quality wheel, then a new one might be a good investment.

Check out Rocky Mountain Cyclery on Ebay...

Rocky Mountain Cyclery

He often has "touring" wheelsets that have 36, 40 and even 48 spoke wheels. They are very heavy duty, and his prices are usually cheaper than having a custom wheel built (but not always cheaper).

My gut says give up on the back wheel and get a 36 spoke hub with a Mavic rim. You can get one for maybe $125 or so. It's worth it if you get past the hassle and back to riding. The front wheel will probably be good for a lot of miles if you take care of it.

Don't let these minor bumps in the road stop you from having fun and getting healthy; you picked a great way to do both. Good luck.

p.s.--Rocky Mountain does have some good deals. If you go for more than 36 spokes, make sure the spacing is right. You probably need 135mm, and many 40 spoke (or more) wheels are too wide. I think tandems have 140 spacing (not sure, but more than 135 anyway).

Rocky Mountain will respace the wheels for you for a small fee....I think they told me $25 at one point.

I appreciate everyone's responses, I guess I should have mentioned this is going on a 26" mountain bike. i went ahead and had my LBS owner order the stuff for a new 36 wheel, I don't remember which hub it was but he assured me it would be bombproof (he said he won't promise me I won't break spokes, but he feels adamant that I won't), and I trust his opinion. And he cut me a good deal on it as well.