Rusty spokes !!!!!!

plowmar

After recently cleaning the bike I noticed that the spokes on the Mavic Aksium rear were substantially rusty.

Some completely others nothing at all. Can I still ride them or could they fail?, what remedial action can I do?

Does any one know why some have rusted and others not, the front wheel is unaffected.

dodgy

99% cosmetic. The Shimano RS80 spokes seem susceptible to this, too. Get an oiiy rag and vigorously wipe each spoke after riding in the damp.

It's a pain, and stainless spokes really shouldn't need this, but my RS80 spokes have rusted slightly but I'm on top of it.

sungod

as above, cosmetic, just give them a wipe

there are many different types of 'stainless' steel, some less resistant to corrosion, water alone is fine, but if they've been exposed to spray from salted roads then that might be why they've rusted

fwiw i always rinse my bike down with water after a wet ride, especially in winter, no rusty spokes

plowmar

Thanks guys. Bit of elbow grease then that will stop the rust. They were painted black though would that alter your opinion?

sungod

nope, same applies even if they're painted

fwiw on my commute bike the spokes started out black, but after a couple of winters the steel is showing through on most of them

once you've given them the oily rag treatment, just rinse down after future wet outings and they should stay rust free

plowmar

Thanks

1synergy

I can confirm - EVERY set of Mavic’s with Steel painted spokes wheels I have owned have rusted / corrosion .

First to go was a set of 2013 Elite S 23’s. Front wheel all spokes rusted, rear was 100% perfect. Had replaced under warranty
Then to go was a Set of 2015 Elite S 25’s. Rust kicked in @ month 8
Tried to have warrantied. Answer was NO. F#*^ off. I even biked past Mavics head office to knock on the door (with wheels in hand on bike to show proof ) France Annecy, no one home - summer holidays

I also have a second set of late 2013 Elite S 23’s (black and cut aluminium colour) All slowly going
AND my babies - Race wheels - Elite Cosmic Carbon SLE . Stored always in their bags. Ridden only dozen times / 3 years old. It would seem a hand full of spokes is rusting. All the rest are perfect.

Problem. Mavic are French made. Cutting corners. Noted the last set purchase was 25s were manufactures in Romania.

And many of my friend’s wheels are also rusting. Short answer is. Mavic could make with Stainless Steel - BUT they would rather cut corners and sell known SHITE wheels knowing they will rust because of poor manufacture process

Since purchased a set of 2017 Campagnolo wheels – 7000km’s . Perfect

Gutted and feeling $$$$ off

Warning : Mavic wheels Rust – Corrode - Shite

Ben6899

Rusty Spokes... isn't he the fat, ginger kid in 'The Dukes of Hazzard'?

The Rookie

Just to add a rider to an above comment, some grades of stainless steel can develop a light surface rust but it shouldn't cause any issues, Mavic may have chosen a particular grade for it's behaviour as a spoke and neglected to give it adequate protection, or they may be non stainless, I don't know.