Giant Defy 2 wheel problems.

benno68

Hi all.

Just getting back into cycling after 15 years out of the saddle and bought a Giant Defy 2 (2009) at the end of October, since getting the bike I've done 750 miles, mainly commuting. The bike is better than I deserve really, except for the wheels which I've had some problems with.

Within 3 weeks, numerous spokes on my front wheel loosened considerably, my LBS sorted that out and I've had no further problems with the front wheel. Last month two spokes snapped on my rear wheel, I hit a small pothole but the rim was fine. Cycling this evening, another spoke in the rear wheel snapped near the hub for no apparent reason.

The wheels are: RIMS Mavic CXP 22 700c (custom for Giant), HUBS Giant custom, SPOKES Sapim Race.

On my old bike (an old Peugeot Grand Prix), I never snapped a spoke or put either wheel out of true.

Does anyone know why this is happening or is this a common problem that should be expected?

andy advanced

i run a busy workshop in the north east and have had the odd one or two problems which are very similar, take the bike back to where you bought it and ask them to contact giant about the problem, Giant will replace the wheels or pay towards an upgrade or replacement wheelset i.e. shimano RS10, or aksiums

benno68

Thanks Andy, I'll pop the bike down to them tomorrow and see what they can do.

benno68

I popped down to my LBS today.

I asked the guy if the wheels were faulty, he said that they were aware of "a few" problems with these wheels and he noticed that both times the spokes on my back wheel broke on the side opposite the cartridge side.

The spokes fitted on the cartridge side are fitted "crossover" whereas the other side are fitted "radial" which seems to be less robust (all be it a fraction lighter).

He said that he'd look into it and possibly rebuild the wheel using the crossover method on both sides. We'll have to see in time with the front wheel which has radial spokes.

I'm learning as I go!

One gutter is that my bike's off the road over the weekend

tarquin_foxglove

I've got a spare set of wheels now but my lbs used to lend me a crappy wheel* to keep me on the road, it is always worth asking.

*He was in a hurry once & lent me one on a Ultegra hub, I didn't want to go back and collect mine.

benno68

Thanks Jake - I'll let the bike shop do a suitable (lasting repair) but if it goes again I may ask for a new set of wheels or see what else they can do.

Just put an Ultegra chain on mine as a link broke on the original one.

I'm really happy with the Defy 2 except for the wheels and I would have thought the chain would have lasted longer but I guess that's winter cycling for you.