simpleshinji

i have a trek t80 navigator, sadly i've gained a good bit of weight since i bought it, so i can't ride it as is because the back tire will just break spokes.

i'd really love to ride again but i need a tire that can work with around 375 as far as weight, give or take. i went to the only local bike shop and they had a 36 spoke rim for 40 bucks, but i wasn't sure if that was enough and the guy couldn't really tell me either.

can anyone help?

no1mad 

Welcome to the Forums

You may not even need to get a new wheel. Depending on what you already have, it just may need to be properly tensioned and trued.

I've broken a few spokes on my rear wheel. While my weight was a contributing factor, the primary reason was that I wasn't the best about maintaining proper air pressure in the tire, either .

Also, the price he quoted you for the rim is likely just that. Unless you know how or want to attempt to learn how to build your own wheel, the LBS is going to charge you for the rim, the spokes, plus labor. The hub/gears can either be salvaged from your current wheel or a new one can be had for an additional cost.

StephenH

You need a wheel, not a tire. Well, you might need a tire too, but that's unrelated to spokes.
Some bike shops build wheels, some don't, and you probably went to one that doesn't. So he can sell you factory-built wheels or wheel parts, but won't build up wheels. And most factory-built wheels aren't intended for 375 lbs.
Find a local wheelbuilder- ask around who builds them, who does them well. Ask him how many spokes, what kind of rim, that stuff; if he's done a bunch of this, he'll have a good idea.
By the way, 375 lbs is heavy for a rider, but there are a lot of tandem teams that weigh that much and don't think anything about it, so it CAN be done, just a matter of working out the details.

Black wallnut 

I agree that you should steer clear of any pre-built wheel at the $40 price point. You would be better off paying a local bike shop to replace spokes as they break if funds are tight.