trifler

Hi, within the span of the last three weeks the same amount of spokes on the drive side of my back wheel has snapped of inside the nipple of my Fulcrum racing ones. The wheels them self are used wheels I got them on the bike which I also bought used. I don't know how many km the previous owner put into them but myself has done 4000km (4000 kilometers = 2485.48 miles). According to the previous owner the wheels them self are from 2008. So roughly two years of use.

Is it just time because of the wear and tear that spokes keep popping? I mean is it just time for the spokes to be replaced because of fatigue in the alloy or something?

I can't say anything regarding if it's the same spoke that has failed at least twice. I do know that the first two broken spokes where not the same since the first one laid under. And the second that broke laid on top. When I say this I mean that they were positioned on different levels in the groves that holds the spokes in position in the hub. The third one that broke for me today could be a new one or one of the changed ones I don't know since I have no marking or way to tell them apart. (If this information makes any difference at all?)

The problem for me more than that the spokes "keep" braking is that these wheels are special. Special in that regard that I don't have an LBS that can help me fix them. And I don't posses the skills nor the knowledge to repair them myself. So for each broken spoke I have to send them away in order to get them fixed which is rather expansive. So I'm more or less leaning towards getting rid of these and buying some other wheels. But first I want to know if it's something out of the ordinary that is going on here. Or it's just the cycle of a wheels life?

Please excuse my poor English I do hope my grammar is enough so that the message gets through. Thanks for you help in advance!

Basil Moss

Get some handbuilts. Firstly because the standard spokes that they are made with are cheaper to replace if/when they break. Secondly because they are much stronger, and with an appropriate number of spokes, and a good build, you probably won't break any anyway. Secondly because handbuilt wheels can be surprisingly light and ride REALLY well.

deep_sky

Yep, I second that. Contact psimet (he is a member on this board who builds wheels for a living), and I am sure he can set you up with a solid wheel that won't break on you. www.psimet.com also works to contact him.

trifler

I forgot to point out that I weigh 86kg (86 kilograms = 189.59 pounds)

deep_sky

Not a problem, psimet can build for people at least 100 lbs heavier than you.

Basil Moss

36 spoke rear for you then. You'll be overjoyed at how well some nice handbuilts ride, it will rock your world.

SoreFeet

Take the tire off the rim and remove the rim tape. Inspect for cracks around the rim.

alcjphil

Fulcrum builds good wheels, and Racing 1's should not break spokes as often as has happened to you. I don't know who has been doing your repairs, but they have not done the work properly. Your weight should not, I repeat not be a problem. My advice is to try to find someone else to repair your wheel the next time a spoke breaks, or complain to the distributor of Fulcrum wheels where you live

cuski

+1

My R1s are nearly 3 years old now, and probaly have around 20,000 kms. Never broke a spoke. I did buy them new, though.

trifler

Out of interest how chunky are you? Also according to Fulcrum these wheels has no weight limit. Which at least would make them ride able for someone who weighs around 200lbs. I'm only guessing what that means in reality, but I don't feel that my ~190lbs and 6'4" should be to much for a wheel with no weight limit

I will try to contact Fulcrum and see what they have to say. According to some of the answers I been getting it more and more seems like the shop that has been taking care of my repairs did a poor job. :S

cuski

I'm 140 lbs and 5'8".

Jay-W

+2

I own 1s and 5s. They should take that weight easily.

Just replace the spokes at a reputable lbs.

saintx

have zero's and five's and have never had a problem, used the zero's for this past CX season.

JaceK

I tip the scales at 205 lbs, I ride on Fulcrum 1's, 5's and 7's. I have many thousand miles on the 1's, close to a thousand on the others...

trifler

I got an answer from Fulcrum today saying that this is not normal behaviour and that I should send em' over. They also asked for a receipt. I'm yet to found out if they're still willing to help since I lack this commodity. But a repair including me paying them shouldn't be to far fetched right?

Anyways thanks for your input.

RIF

One item you might consider is the number of spokes on the rear wheel. I had the same exact issues with both Easton and Mavic manufactured wheels. The spokes were not braking, just getting separated from the rim. They would come loose after several months of riding and a shop would repair and true the wheel. They would last for a few months and the spoke (not always the same) would separate again. The Easton wheel was sent by to the manufacturer for over 2 months and when it was returned, it lasted a little over a month.
The common item between both wheels was that there were 20 spokes on the rear. Switched to a Edge wheel with 24 spokes and the issue has not resurfaced in over 1200 miles. (I weigh around 175-180)
Thought I would share,
-rif

AngryScientist 

this forum always jumps on the "get handbuild" wheel bandwagon. generally this is good advice, but the bottom line is that with a good quality wheel like your fulcrums, the issue is build quality. you dont need new wheels by any stretch of the imagination. what you do need is a good wheelbuilder to rebuild your wheels with high quality spoked tensioned to the appropriate values.

since you have fulcrum in the loop, i would see if they would be willing to help you get them rebuilt, preferably by a local experienced wheelbuilder, not a machine.

ultraman6970

I would try to change the whole set of spokes in that wheel, the spokes u have in there are not in good shape anymore. The guy who fix the wheel initialy put the fulcrum spokes or he put something else? Maybe the regular dt aero direct pull spoke it is not the same than the fulcrum one and thats the reason the wheel spokes are simply giving up big time.

furballi

A good wheelsmith should be able to re-use the old rim if it is in reasonably good shape. That said, it's best to start out with a new rim. I prefer 36h for the rear wheel with straight DT 2.0mm Champion spokes and brass nipples. $25 USD Sun CR-18, Mavic A119 or Open Sport will last at least 20K miles with no more than 0.02" run-outs as long as you don't try to jump the curb with the bike.

I'm "old school" when it comes to wheel-building. Reducing rim mass and spokes = weeny wheel. Unless you're racing competitively, go with a heavier wheel to save $ in the long run.

lpolliard

Loosen the brake cables and that will prevent the spoke from braking.

Oh...you meant breaking...never mind.

lpolliard

+1 I was breaking spokes also until I noticed my rims had developed stress fractures. I don't know weather this was the cause or a symptom. I always believed that an LBS had over torqued my wheel causing both. Mavic (Equippe wheel) warrantied the repair/replacement and I have not had the problem since.

DScott

Spokes breaking can be caused by tension problems, often when the spokes are under-tensioned. I'd say that breaking more than a few spokes indicates it's time to rebuild, assuming hubs/rims are in good shape.