Crashed -> Wheel damage (with pics). . . what should I do

RC21

Last night I went for a cycle and on my way home I managed to trash the front wheel on my bike - I hit a pot hole and I don't really remember much of what happened until I was picking myself up.

I assume the wheel buckled or threw my steering and twisted – next; I shot forward and the handlebars smacked me in the left hand side as they came round (I have a bruise where they hit me). I think the bike then swung round as my weight was still travelling forward and started to go horizontal. Then my knees hit the floor (which are really sore) and I then rolled over the bike and popped my shoulder (which is from an old football injury). . . . I'm really surprised I'm not in a worse state; just some bad knees and sore shoulder. I was travelling along between 20/25 mph.

After inspecting the front wheel (Planet X - Model B's) it looks like one of the spokes has gone which means the wheel is really out of shape and doesn't spin at all. . . . . .

Wheel with bent spoke


There is also a small bit of deformation of the rim where the nipple for the broken spoke is.

Damaged part of the rim


Normal part of the rim


What do you reckon I should do. . . . Should I contact Planet X and see if I can get some replacement spokes (which I can't find on their website . . . Well it's not obvious which ones are for the Model B's). Do you think it would be safe on a wheel that has been in a crash and how do I go about checking it to make sure it's safe to ride on? Should I be worried about the small deformation at the nipple hole?

Or; do you think I should replace the wheel? You can't buy a single Planet X - Model B front wheel and there is nothing on eBay which means a new wheelset. . . . . which leads me to my next questions; Any recommendations on wheels?

I wouldn't want the Model B's again if I had to buy them and I have pre-emptively searched the forum and it looks like I should either get something built by Harry Rowland or Paul Hewitt, or something like Fulcrum Racing 5's (£160) or BikeRadar's highly rated Easton EA50 SL's http://www.bikeradar.com/road/gear/category/components/wheel-sets/product/ea50-sl-wheel-set-31941?CPN=RSS&SOURCE=BRROADGEAR for(£230). . . . .

With regards to budget; the cheaper the better but will pay extra for something decent.

I called Harry and Paul earlier and he gave me a quote for:

Harry Rowland - £240 delivered
- Novatec/Ambrosio Hubs
- Open Pro's
- DT spokes - Double butted

Paul Hewitt - About £280 delivered
- Ultegra Hubs £120
- Open Pros £80/£85 or Mavic CXP33 £90/£95
- Spokes, building and postage £70

Any advice appreciated
Thanks
Ryan

dennisn

I'm thinking the rim is trashed. Hub would appear to be ok. I would send the hub to Planet X
and have them lace a new rim to it or possibly your local bike shop could do it. That's
about the cheapeast option. I would get it fixed and if you want a new set of wheels,
get them, and you will have a decent set for a spare.

Dennis Noward

alfablue

As Dennis says, don't re-use the rim.

Whilst I note that you don't want model B's again, I would reckon P-X would supply you one, their customer service is good. Or as Dennis said, get them to build the hub on a new rim. The spokes (except the bent one) may well be re-usable too.

RC21

Thanks for the reply Dennis and alfablue - It's good to have it confirmed that the rim is trashed. I'll contact Planet X about getting the rim replaced and relaced and see what they say - Since buying the bike from them I personally haven't had a good customer service experience with the company; while I was getting the bike it was great but as soon as they got my money it has been a bit troublesome - even with small orders that they had messed up. . . .

As you can probably tell by the thread I figured I was going to have to buy some new wheels which I think I'm going to do in any case. Does anyone have advice/opinions on which ones I should get ,or a different suggestion of wheel I should be looking at?

Thanks again for the help
Ryan

alfablue

Oh dear, not good that you had poor service! It may vary depending who you get to deal with. They do watch the forum.

What about getting the wheel fixed as cheap as possible and selling the set on to fund your replacements. I reckon you should get £100 or more for them on eBay if in good nick. As for your suggestions I think you have picked what would be my top choices for well built durable wheels, maybe the Harry Rowlands represent best value. I think I would go for Open Pro's - been very happy with those rims over the years and they build into a strong and reasonably light wheel.

I do like my planet-X model B's though :?

alfablue

Oh dear, not good that you had poor service! It may vary depending who you get to deal with. They do watch the forum, sometimes, but I would hope that if you find the right person to talk to you will be better looked after.

What about getting the wheel fixed as cheap as possible and selling the set on to fund your replacements. I reckon you should get £100 or more for them on eBay if in good nick. As for your suggestions I think you have picked what would be my top choices for well built durable wheels, maybe the Harry Rowlands represent best value. I think I would go for Open Pro's - been very happy with those rims over the years and they build into a strong and reasonably light wheel.

I do like my planet-X model B's though :?

alfablue

Oh dear, not good that you had poor service! It may vary depending who you get to deal with. They do watch the forum, sometimes, but I would hope that if you find the right person to talk to you will be better looked after.

What about getting the wheel fixed as cheap as possible and selling the set on to fund your replacements. I reckon you should get £100 or more for them on eBay if in good nick. As for your suggestions I think you have picked what would be my top choices for well built durable wheels, maybe the Harry Rowlands represent best value. I think I would go for Open Pro's - been very happy with those rims over the years and they build into a strong and reasonably light wheel.

I do like my planet-X model B's though :?

Nelson Longflap

Don't forget http://www.wheelsmith.co.uk/wheelprices.htm

He doesn't seem to be listing Open Pros any more though. The Cadence aero's are the same Kinlin 30mm used in the Planet X model B, (and seemingly every other wheelset using a 30mm clincher rim).

Excellights on Ambrosio hubs?

Everybody should have a pair of bombproof 19mm rims built 2x or 3x on standard 32 hole hubs. Useable for virtually anything, and good enough to race on until you get your 2nd cat licence! (Good enough for Lance too, if you see what he uses to train on)