Fix it or get new ones?

FeynmanC

My rear wheel (standard with the Defy 2.5 09) has suffered from loose spokes a few times, which the LBS has fixed. I noticed a few were loose again the other night so just tightened them so I could go into work without them rattling but discovered that one of them (not sure if one I tightened) has now snapped.

Question 1 - how much should I be paying for a replacement spoke and truing?
Question 2 - how much would a new "budget" wheelset be? (my front has a flat spot and buckle from a pothole a couple of months back that i cant fix)

Your thoughts, opinions and suggestions welcome, as always.

gtvlusso

SOunds like a case of "sh*te wheels". I would be inclinde to get a new set and do a cheap self repair on your old ones as extreme winter spares. Get some practice at truing and spoke replacement then!

cjcp

I'd be inclined to contact whoever sold you the bike and complain about the quality of the build. Not the first problem I've heard of with a Defy wheelset. A mate did London to Paris in September. The bike was only a few weeks old and his rear wheel nearly collapsed beneath him - a good number of spokes came loose somewhere in Sussex and they spotted it in time.

FeynmanC

LBS are doing a warranty repair on it today for me.

I think i shall save up and get some better wheels for the spring and summer. Now I just need to start trying to work out what i should be looking to get :? It seems there is even more variety in wheels than in frames.

cjcp

Have a look at the various threads concerning handbuilt wheels. CXP 22s or 33s on 105 hubs or Mavic Open Pros with 32h or 36h are often mentioned.

FeynmanC

thanks cjcp. will do

Jamey

Quality of the build is everything. You can make a good wheel out of pretty much any components, however cheap, and likewise you can make a poor wheel out of the most expensive components known to man.

The person building your wheel is the most important factor bar none. Get recommendations on here or from cycling mates or, if you want the most reliability possible, learn to do it yourself. It doesn't take too long and the rewards will last a lifetime.

gabriel959

Or buy some decent factory wheels ...

Hanbuilts are really not worth it if you are not getting them done by someone who knows (Paul Hewitt, Wheelsmith, etc...)

chugger

FeynmanC wrote:

My rear wheel (standard with the Defy 2.5 09) has suffered from loose spokes a few times, which the LBS has fixed. I noticed a few were loose again the other night so just tightened them so I could go into work without them rattling but discovered that one of them (not sure if one I tightened) has now snapped.

Question 1 - how much should I be paying for a replacement spoke and truing?
Question 2 - how much would a new "budget" wheelset be? (my front has a flat spot and buckle from a pothole a couple of months back that i cant fix)

Your thoughts, opinions and suggestions welcome, as always.

Sounds to me like the wheels were built with the wrong size / length spokes, have come across this before. You should be able to get a decent Shimano wheelset for well under £100

FeynmanC

LBS have fitted a new spoke and ordered me a new wheel from Giant...all under warranty

Wonder if they'd let me keep the old wheel to practice fettling them on?

downfader

FeynmanC wrote:

LBS have fitted a new spoke and ordered me a new wheel from Giant...all under warranty

Wonder if they'd let me keep the old wheel to practice fettling them on?

Nah Giant would probably want that back for fettling on

I liked the look of the Giants wheels when I looked at the Defy range last year. Its unbranded mavic rims iirc on some models, the spokes are rubbish - they should have used DTSwiss quality ones imo. hey seemed too flexible on the models I looked at (defy 3 and 4 I think, the more expensive ones)