newbugdriver

I have a ongoing rear wheel spoke problem with my Trek 7100 (700c). The original 36 spoke rear wheel the came with the bike, I started breaking spokes on the non drive side. I am about 330 pounds. I took it to the LBS were I bought the bike (sells only Trek) and had them replace the spoke and true the wheel. This kept on continuing so I ended up going to a different LBS (Trek and other products) and talked to two service tech's who were also heavier riders. I bought a Sta-Tru Double Walled 36 spoke wheel. Within the first 30 miles, I went to a trail that was limestone, rode about 13 miles and when I got back to the car, most of the spokes were loose and the wheel wasn't true. I tightened the spokes up and trued the wheel, road a little bit more before I brought it back to the bike shop that I bought the replacement wheel from to have them go over it. I was ok for another 50 or so miles and then I started breaking spokes on the non drive side. Now they have been breaking on the drive side. I've been replacing the spokes with DT Champion's. I estimate over half of the spokes have been replaced.

I live in Northwest Indiana and we have tons of rails to trails which I like to ride. I don't feel confident at all with this rear wheel and fear the day that I have a major break down (were the bike is not rideable) resulting in either trying to get someone to pick me up or having to walk back to the car many miles.

I called the LBS were I bought the bike and they can retrue/tension the wheel for $20 to $30, but they don't rebuild wheels in house. They have to be sent out.

The other options is either having my existing wheel rebuilt or buying a new hand built one (I saw a website somewhere that did that but I don't remember the name)?

Any suggestions? If anyone has any recommendations on a good wheel builder in either Chicagoland, South Bend, or Lafayette, it would be appreciated.

Thanks!

exile

You may want to contact Trek directly and let them know your problem. I've heard both good and bad about customer service but it is worth a try. You did explain to your LBS what kind of places you planned on riding before you purchased the bike? They may have assumed that you would be riding mostly on smoothly paved bike paths, and the limestone path sounds like a gravel road?

As a side note I broke a few spokes on my bike. At first I though I had to get a new wheel. However the guy at my LBS said that there are better quality spokes than others and not to worry to much about it on my ride. My hardtail is commuterized with slicks. I don't know how true it is, but I haven't had a problem since he replaced the spokes that have broken.

newbugdriver

99 percent of the time I ride on paved trail. The limestone was crushed lime stone and one time thing only.

Tom Stormcrowe

Newbug, where i NW Indiana are you? You can email me at tom(at)bikeforums(dot)net if you want.

Homeyba

Once you've broken one or two spokes there rest aren't going to be too far behind. With half the spokes replaced I'd replace all of the spokes and have it done by someone who knows how to build a wheel. The two bike shops you've already dealt with abviously don't.

If you want to go with a new wheel Peter White is an exceptional wheel builder with new wheels at reasonable prices.

bradtx

newbugdriver, Have you seen this thread? https://www.bikeforums.net/showthread...a-340lb-roadie.

Brad

clydeosaur

Listen to Homeyba. I was in your shoes. Sam bike, Same situation. I went to a shop that hand built (and did a good job as well) wheels. I've NEVER had a problem since.

newbugdriver

Tom I live near Crown Point.

fishermba2004

At 250lbs riding on pavement, I had my rear wheel re-built 6-7 different times in 1000 miles. Then, I found the right guy at the right shop and have had 3000 trouble free miles. I did take a class in truing wheels and got good at emergency spoke repairs along the road in the process so it wasn't a total waste.

newbugdriver

Well, I thought the replacement Sta-True wheel that I bought was 36 spokes, but after counting, it turned out to be a 32 spoke. Today, I received a 40 spoke hand built tandem rear wheel with DT Swiss 2.0 spokes. Hopefully, I'll have better luck with this setup.

Seattle Forrest

This is the best advice in the thread ... and Homeyba saved me from typing the same thing.

Mr. Beanz

If I were you, I'd take them back after 200-300 miles to have the tension checked and readjusted if needed. I have 48 spoke Deep V's on our tandem built by a local pro. He swore they would not need readjustment after using loctite, fairy dust etc but they did. If the shop dude disagrees, have him check it anyways. It's your trouble free mileage at stake.

I do and my last wheel gave me 20,000+ worry free miles with one small minor true at 13,000.

newbugdriver

I'm going try to get some winter miles on the wheel, and will find a compentant wheel shop in Chicagoland to get it rechecked.