I keep popping spokes and getting out of true wheels and I'm fed up! it's time for a stronger wheelset I think.

I live, work, and commute in a older, metropolitan suburb. the streets and bike paths are city-like with a lot of stop and go. road maintenance is not a priority for our local government, so the pavement is really bad in a lot of areas. cracks, bumps, potholes, bridge expansion joints, speed bumps, curb cuts on bike paths and when turning into parking lots, and bumps at the end of either footbridge on one of the bike paths are all stuff I have to deal with on a daily basis. not only is it a real pain in the ass to replace spokes as much as I'm having to but having to treat the road like a minefield where every minor imperfection is a mine is probably cutting down my average speed too.

I try to avoid as much stuff as I can but I can't avoid everything and I certainly can't slow down to like 5MPH and *****foot around every single bump on the road.

what I have now is the stock rim on the front of my '06 Jamis Coda Sport, a Mavic CXP33 on the rear (this is the one that's giving me the most trouble), and the stock 28c Hutchinson Flash tires that came with my bike.

here's what I'm thinking:
- cyclocross rim or something sturdy enough for urban commuting (since like I said my commute is basically urban road conditions even though I technically live in a suburb)
- 36, 38, or 40 spokes
- 32c or 35c city tires (I had another thread about tires earlier and people made some good recommendations, thanks!)

I'd still like something reasonably fast, but I don't mind having to put like 3% more effort into going the same speed, if it means not having to worry about my wheels all the time. in fact, considering one of the big reasons I ride is for fitness, a little extra effort wouldn't be a bad thing at all.

anyone have any suggestions/input?

Velocity Dyad rims, 480 grams, 80 grams lighter than Mavic A719, 36 Wheelsmith 14 guage butted spokes, brass nipples, and the hub of your choice. Hand built, of course.

How much do you weigh?

192.5 ... just got out of the clydesdale division a few months ago.

I've heard good things about Velocity Dyads, might see if my LBS can order them.

I'm a clyde and ride on Mavic OP 32 hole laced 3x to Ultegra hubs. I haven't had a complaint yet. My Trek 5200 rides like a Cadillac and handles like a dream.

I am surprised to hear you are having problems with the cxp33. I am running those on two bikes, laced 3X from a good builder and have had zero problems.

+1

Sounds like a bad wheel build to me. I have a set of CXP 30s(previous generation of the CXP33) laced to 28H hubs that I bang the hell out of on cobblestone streets. They are still true. If I were you I'd be looking to have my wheel trued and tensioned by a different wheel builder as it's not the rims which are the problem.

I'm in the "Build is Everything" camp as well.

On my Marin Kentfield city bike, i have no-name wimpy rims, no name straight gauge spokes and cheapo Formula hubs. For the first two months i had a broken spoke every couple of days. I had no idea about anything as a newbie, so i thought i was getting what i paid for.

To replace a spoke every time, I'd go into any shop, replace it and ride till the next one would break.

Then, i got pissed, and stormed into the LBS where i bought the bike, and demanded that the wheel be rebuilt. Same rim, same spokes, same hub. Since then, it's been almost 5K km', and the wheel is as true as it was when i first got it. And i weigh about 180, the bike is about 30, plus a pannier (7-12).
And i ride without much caution on roads that haven't seen a municipal employee in years.

Six months later, by the way, i bought another Kentfield for my GF, who has no technique and slams into every sidewalk and pothole she can - same thing, true as new( i asked that the wheels be tensioned before i took the bike out) .

My advice - rebuild, or re-tension the wheel.

rebuild & retension is a good cheap idea.
I've had amazing luck with the entry-level $250 Cane Creek wheels. on my 2nd set. first set has prolly 15,000 miles, rear trued once. then went to disc, new set has maybe 1000miles.
built in u.s., awesome support, very stiff and snappy acceleration.
Cane Creek invented the hi-tensioned, nipple at the hub design. Shimano licensed it. They're very very good.
cheers