Back Wheel Options???

steve23

i keep busting back wheels.

mavic aksiums - rubbish, wrecked three of them in about 2 months, kept popping spokes.
had a nice custom build of ultegra hubs, open pro rims and DT swiss spokes, 32 hole rim, and ive popped two spokes on that!

so, what to try next??? ive a garage full of front wheels!!! but i was thinking maybe Fulcrum 7's? or campag vento?

im just after a bomb proof training wheel!!!

cheers

Radioactiveman

Try eating less pies?

amaferanga

Sounds like you need something like a 36 hole Mavic A719

Or maybe go round the pot holes instead of through them?

If you're breaking Aksiums and Open Pros there's little hope for the Fulcrums or the Ventos.

Barteos

Spokes don't break just like that...
Did you get a pro builder to build your wheel for you or you've done it yourself?
Do you run 23mm tyres at 120PSI and weigh 16stone+ ?

steve23

yea pro builder!

i weigh 12st 7 ish, so not a complete lard arse. do put down a lot of power though, put not enough to wreck wheels like i do.

and i dotn ride through the rough stuff, im over cautious when it comes to that!!!

Barteos

Strange... :?
Maybe wider tyres at lower PSI would help...

... or Sapim CX-ray spokes instead of DT.

balthazar

Have the handbuilt wheels rebuilt with new spokes by somebody else. They should be more than durable enough. Spokes usually fail because of poor wheel-building, not a strong rider.

skyd0g

Try this:

moonshine

i've got to say it is either the rider or the wheelbuilder at fault here...i..I don't believe you are putting out that much power that you are able to rip the spokes apart... The factory ones are a mystery though....

As you can't change the former, i'd change the latter and get them rebuilt by a well respected builder

I'd speak to them and get their advice - if they thought suitable, i'd prob try get the 32 hole wheels rebuilt properly - i'd try and use the exising spokes first & go for a complete rebuild first of all - Sipam CX- rays are something like £2.50 a spoke :shock: so would add a fair bit of cost over and above a rebuild.....if ti still happens, then try them later?

broachboy

steve23 wrote:

I weigh 12st 7 ish... do put down a lot of power though, put not enough to wreck wheels like i do.

steve23 that sounds amazing in a weird kinda way - I mean I am 92kg and have Cosmics, Aksium, Ksyriums & handbuilt open pro on 105

... and touch wood have yet to have a single problem with any of them :? fair few of the roads around south staffs / shropshire are quite rough too.

Your legs must be stronger than you think

amaferanga

Do you try to move your weight forward when you know you're about to hit potholes or rough bits or do you bump through them with all your weight on the saddle?

jimsam33

Broachboy,

Sorry to highjack this thread.

I'm looking at upgrading my stock bontragers on my Trek 1.5 and like the look of the Mavic wheels.

Would you recommend the Mavic Aksiums or Open Pros as a good way to go?

broachboy

jimsam33 wrote:

Broachboy,

Sorry to highjack this thread.

I'm looking at upgrading my stock bontragers on my Trek 1.5 and like the look of the Mavic wheels.

Would you recommend the Mavic Aksiums or Open Pros as a good way to go?

What drivechain you running ?

jimsam33

The stock standard mixture of Tiagra / Sram cassette and Chain

broachboy

TBH I would go for the open pro on 105, don't get me wrong my Aksiums are great all rounders, but quality hand builts would have a noticeable edge in performance and seem to be more easily repaired (waits for the deluge of replies saying otherwise :roll: ). At the end of the day thats just my opinion.

Now you must consider aesthetics, its a big part of clinching the deal for a lot of riders

You may think factory wheels, well....... just look better :shock: :roll:

steve23

i just avoid potholes, and shift my weight as required when i do!

ok then, who can recommend a good and reasonably priced wheel builder?

and what spec to go for?

cheers for the advice

huuregeil

Stronger wheel means:

- More spokes
- Stronger/better rim
- A better build

Ambrosio Excursions are my choice of super-solid training rims. Rigida Chrinas also look sweet. Get 36 spokes. As per here:

http://www.bikeradar.com/forum/viewtopic.php?p=15866927

PS Spa cycles build a very solid wheel.

moonshine

steve23 wrote:

i just avoid potholes, and shift my weight as required when i do!

ok then, who can recommend a good and reasonably priced wheel builder?

and what spec to go for?

cheers for the advice

my vote to derek @ wheelsmith - here at http://www.wheelsmith.co.uk/ rear wheels are 66% of pair costs

phone or email him - i'm really happy with my carbon wheels from him. Explain your problem and he'll suggest a solution

steve23

cheers, ive emailed the dude at wheelsmith, i'll see what he suggests!!!

one made of granite perhaps?

ilm_zero7

steve23
I am about 88kgs (and falling) and ride Fulcrum 1's no problem and a pair of American Classic Aero 420's - so maybe thats your answer?

steve23

i ride campag shamal's as my best, racing wheels, but i need something for training!!!

i cant afford another pair or similar to train on as well!!!

mpd62

If you can't already, learn to change a spoke and retrue yourself,ask around the forums,youtube etc its not as hard as people think.The handbuilt wheels you have are top quality rims/spoke/hub choice so I guess there may be a build problem or just bad luck.If you use your ultegra wheels,buy some spare spokes and if you do break the odd spoke because of(whatever) its quicker and cheaper to replace yourself and a skill well learnt.My experience of a lot of factory wheels is trying to find replacment spokes which are brand specific and usually need ordering at LBS.The main reason I use 32 spoke handbuilt rims is you can finish yoru ride with a broken spoke , but with16/20/24 spoked factory rims theres a lot of tension in each spoke which can make a 40 mile ride home pretty dodgy.

jthef

I went through 2 back wheels in 18 months so got Paul Hewitt to build me one.
So far no problems (12 months +) even with the winter we have had.
The winter killed the Mavics I had on before.

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