Bad wheels or bad riding my f95?

Apeman14

Hello people, I've been road cycling in earnest since November after buying a FELT F95 - I've been in the main very pleased with it, but I've experienced a few issues with the wheels and after yet another problem today, I'm wondering whether it's my riding style that's causing my wheel problems or whether it could be a fault with the wheels?
I don't jump off kerbs, I've not gone into potholes, but I do ride on some bumpyish B roads around South Dorset (to avoid traffic etc). I've had several spokes come loose on about 5 times now, causing my wheels to buckle on two occasions, the second time occurring this morning. In fact I broke 2 spokes, one on each wheel today.
This is going to cause me the inconvenience and cost of repair yet again and I'm now wondering whether either I can do something to avoid such occurrences or whether it might be that I had a set of "Friday afternoon " wheels put on my bike?
Has anyone else had problems with F95 standard wheels or am i just being a bit naive to think that I wouldn't have these sorts of issues?
Thanks.

plodder73

My neighbour bought a Z95 from wiggle last year. First ride both wheels went out of true, then he had a broken spoke. So it's not just you. Wiggle refunded him the cost of repair. Not seen him for a little while so don't know whether he has replaced them yet.

dilatory

How much do you weigh? Do you smash over bumps and lumps with your butt firmly planted on the saddle?

ugo.santalucia

Bad wheels, it's very common... they put them on the bike otherwise they cannot market them as bikes, but they are hardly road worthy. Warranty claim if you can be bothered, otherwise upgrade to something decent... or both

Apeman14

thanks for your replies so far
i think that i will contact wiggle to see what they have to say....

Anonymous

Bikes costing 3 times your Felt from lots of different brands do exactly the same thing, so don't take it out on Felt.
See if wiggle will discount a half decent set of wheels rather than seek repair/like for like replacement.

Everyone wanting everything 'at the best price' and thinking thats an ok philosophy is why you have a bike with rubbish wheels.
If you are shopping on wiggle I am guessing thats what you have done, so just accept its how things are and move on (upwards) rather than make a big deal about what the stock wheels on an entry level bike should be expected to do.

I buy stuff on wiggle but am realistic about stock wheels and brakes etc.
Have bought an F95 and an F55 from them, Both lovely bikes IMO.

ugo.santalucia

Carbonator wrote:

Everyone wanting everything 'at the best price' and thinking thats an ok philosophy is why you have a bike with rubbish wheels.

Is it the first time we agree on something?

Anonymous

ugo.santalucia wrote:

Carbonator wrote:

Everyone wanting everything 'at the best price' and thinking thats an ok philosophy is why you have a bike with rubbish wheels.

Is it the first time we agree on something?

No, there have been others (kiss smiley)

chris_bass

Carbonator wrote:

ugo.santalucia wrote:

Carbonator wrote:

Everyone wanting everything 'at the best price' and thinking thats an ok philosophy is why you have a bike with rubbish wheels.

Is it the first time we agree on something?

No, there have been others (kiss smiley)

I like how you disagreed with that!

fludey

I had an F95 I had to send one of my wheels back to be replaced...it had bad break wobble found it had slightly collapsed at the joint...think they were Mavics but only cheap ones.
Have since replaced with Fulcrum wheels front n back

Apeman14

Thanks again for your replies.
I contacted Wiggle who have offered me a set of Shimano wh-r501 clincher wheels as a replacement.
Is this a good deal? The reviews on the wheels are pretty favourable.....

holiver

Yeah they'll be fine.

sandyballs

Apeman14 wrote:

Thanks again for your replies.
I contacted Wiggle who have offered me a set of Shimano wh-r501 clincher wheels as a replacement.
Is this a good deal? The reviews on the wheels are pretty favourable.....

So have Wiggle finally admitted blame!! :shock:

fnb1

I have a Z85, factory supplied rear wheel only lasted 2000 miles before it's bearings died, front was not a lot better. replaced with some Fulcrum 5s and the rear is bearing is now past it's best and needs replaced but that is at circa 12,000 miles of mostly winter /wet riding/commuting (I use it as my foul weather bike)

I think the factory wheels have a very budget hub built into 'decent' CXP22 rims so can expect them not to last or be at least an obvious upgrade target. Headset bearings and bottom bracket also failed fairly quickly, both replaced with higher spec upgraded versions and have lasted well. I am a heavier rider (think track sprinter rather then grimpeur) but never had any spoke breakages,

That said;
Overall the bike was a bargain for a Shimano 105 equipped bike so expect some compromise on cost somewhere, seems Felt chose to fit 'budget' where it is not seen, i.e. aforementioned headset, BB and wheel bearings. Otherwise bike has been great and is surviving well.