Broken Spokes

alwaystoohot
alwaystoohot Posts: 252
edited June 2011 in Road beginners
I have a problem with broken spokes. I've had my bike for 10 years and never had a problem then changed the wheels from a more hybrid/tourer style to road, putting on Schwalbe Ultremo DD´s (25mm). The back wheel has 32 spokes and the first spoke popped at when less than 2 weeks old and maybe 150/200kms?

The shop rebuilt the wheel for free and 3 rides later another one popped this morning! On the flat in admittedly a high gear (but thats what flats and high gears are for isn't it?) and 20-25kms into a ride. Just pinged without warning. I'm a big lad at 6'7" and 107kgs but that shouldna happen. Like I said I've not had a problem in 10 years then 2 in 2 weeks? Poor workmanship or my fault?
'I started with nothing and still have most of it left.'

Comments

  • desweller
    desweller Posts: 5,175
    Poor workmanship.
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  • cyco2
    cyco2 Posts: 593
    Poor spokes. Its not difficult to build a wheel to spec. So I would have thought that the spokes are too brittle. Something a builder would only find out after building a wheel and having it stress tested by a heavy bloke at speed on British roads. Take them back and get then rebuilt with a different batch. I have rarely broken a stainless steel spoke but lots of steel ones
    ...................................................................................................

    If you want to be a strong rider you have to do strong things.
    However if you train like a cart horse you'll race like one.
  • balthazar
    balthazar Posts: 1,565
    It's probably a combination of a poor batch of spokes, and careless workmanship. A diligent wheelbuilder will stress-relieve the spokes before delivering the wheel. That procedure will reduce the chance of spoke failure.

    Have this spoke replaced, and then see. If more go, ask to have the wheel rebuilt with all new spokes. However, there may have been only one or two rogue spokes, and you'll be fine thereafter. Spokes tend to fail early, not late. Once spokes have endured a few thousand miles, they can be judged "winners" and will likely last indefinitely.

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