It’s happened again — broken spoke on the rear wheel. This bike is a Trek 5.0 Pilot, wheels are Race X-Lites. Just had a tune-up about 5 weeks ago, including check of the wheels and spokes.
This spoke broke off at the rim, not at the hub. What’s up with that?
10 Replies
Are you a large size rider? What does your local bike shop say?
The rider in question (my hubby) weighs about 190. He rode this bike on RAGBRAI last year and the year before (when he weighed more). He’s taking it to the bike shop this afternoon. I suggested he ask them also for a couple of spare spokes. Not sure how many of the RAGBRAI mechanics will stock the flat spokes of the Race X-lite…
If you run those one-of-a-kind spokes absolutely bring a couple of spares.
RIDE RIGHT
Some of the Bontrager wheelsets had a manufacturing defect which resulted in hairline rim cracks. Not sure if that would cause broken spoke. My LBS was able to get me a new wheelset based on the warranty issued by Bontrager.
I suggest using a playing card, rather than a wooden stick to make that “br br br br br br br br br br br br br br br” sound as he rides down the road!!! ;)
Again? if it is the second spoke (or more) then you are probably on borrowed time. You might get through the ride trouble free, you might not. Depending on the rider, 190lbs can be pushing it for a 24 spoke wheel – I’m not saying it is dangerous, but the more weight a wheel (or spoke) bears, the shorter its lifespan, and hubby has busted 2 already.
Spare spokes are an excellent idea, bring round 14g (2.0mm) if the bladed kind are not easily available. Also check to see if Trek put rim washers in these wheels, if they did, get washers too. new nipples with the spokes is a good idea.
andy t
Bontrager had a run of bad wheels. The rims had micro fractures at the nipples. Spoke problems are usually due to tension problems. Especially when they snap at the nipples. A quality 24 spoke wheel properly tensioned will handle a 190 pound rider. Rolf wheels make rock solid low spoke count wheels. But they cost big bucks. IMO Bontrager is marginal quality. While low spoke count wheels look cool parked. You can’t count spokes when they are working hard rolling down the road. If you want trouble free wheels. I would get a set custom built. DT Swiss spokes with brass nipples. 32 spoke laced 3 cross. Velocity Deep V rims. You can do this for under 400 dollars. No more truing problems and rock solid. At that price point you can color match the rims and spokes to your frame. 32 spoke wheels are far superior to load strength. they also handle road impacts much better. Heavier riders need to be a bit more picky about wheels and the techs that service them. My bet is the spokes were mis tensioned while being trued. Thats why they snapped at the nipples.
I agree. I’m actually a bit (hah) heavier than 190 and had a trouble free year with a hand-built rear wheel; then the first spoke went. After the second spoke broke a month after fixing the first I bit the bullet and had the entire wheel rebuilt. It’s seven months later and I’m still good. I figure this’ll probably be a regular enough thing that I’m saving my pennies for a decent wheel truing stand so I can build my own.
This is the way to tour. Then even a broken spoke will still be rideable and can easily be repaired that evening for the next days ride.
My son’s race wheels are 32spoke 3 cross with tubular rims and even racing college crits he has not been able to destroy them.