Snapped a spoke...wondering what to do

i am a big guy too and just had the same problem....

i ended up buying new wheels as recommended by the bike shop dude i usally take my bke to.....

not saying that was the "right" thing to do but i followed his recommendation....

but of couse, part of my hub broke too..........

fwiw,

craig002

Thanks Craig, do you know what wheels you got?

I'm also a big guy and had the same problem on the wheels that came with on the entry level bike. After a couple months of riding I started pop'n spoke. The final straw was when I did 3 going up a hill. I got a set of mavic and love them. about 4000 mile on them and not a problem. You can also get a great warranty on them, worth the $.

http://www.specialized.com/us/en/bc/SBCEqProduct.jsp?spid=42085&eid=352


above is the link to what i got........

i like the way they ride.....

craig002

How big does someone have to be for consideration as having trouble with wheels?  What is the weight limit on most standard wheels?

If you're looking for training wheels for a big dude, here are my recommendations:

Basic/budget: Open Pro rims, Ultegra hubs, 32 spokes per wheel

Upscale: Mavic Ksyrium or Fulcrum Racing 1 or 3.

Super bling: Zipp 404 Clydesdale clinchers.

Alternatively, though, just have the wheel rebuilt by someone good (Excel Sports Boulder is a really good one IMHO) instead of replacing the spoke and all will be well.

Edited by DrPete 2009-05-30 7:10 AM

I'd vote no on the Aksiums. I'm an Uber-clydesdale, 6'4", 240lbs. I had the mountain bike version of these and could flex them so easily. I'd actualy wiggle them out of the drop-ins from torquing them on climbs and the chain would skip. Stop, re-insert the wheel, ride some more, then it'd happen again. When I replaced them w/ hand built XT / Velocity wheels, NP. Same skewers even. These spokes are super light weight and they do sacrifice rigididty.

IIWY:
1.) Spinnergy XPO: Somewhat aero @ 40mm deep. Good and strong and not SUPER expensive.
2.) Topolino: Might not be available where you live, but they're really nice. A bit more expensive.
3.) Velocity: Either Aerohead or Deep-V built 3-cross w/ 14/15 double butted spokes laced to any Shimano hub. Hand built buy your LBS guru. Cheapest, but least bling option.

I agree with the Fulcrum 3 option above. Those should be strong too.

Edited by pitt83 2009-05-30 7:19 AM

That varies, but a rule of thumb might be 200lbs. At that point, one had really better thinking through strength as a major determinant in any purchase and checking manufacturere's recommendations.

Yeah this is a tough call. I hadn't planned on buying wheels but now I've sort of lost confidence in the wheels I had (at least in the rear). I caught i early and didn't warp the wheel but chances are other spoked have experienced a fair amount of stress.

I have a fulcrum 3 right now from the LBS as a loaner wheel. I am about out the door to ride on it.

So the askiums looks to be out I guess? The looked all right to me and had a similar spoke design to the fulcrums (no bends in the spoke at the hub end) but it sounds like they may not do the job either (in the long run at least).

What's the difference bewtween the fulcrum 1 and fulcrum 3?

I have heard good things about the Mavic Ope Pros with Ultegra hubs....but my question is the regular ones or the CD (ceramic?) ones.  which are better?  Pro's/cons?

Just to throw another name out there

Ksyrium elites? Thoughts?

regular are fine. The ceramic rims are harder, don't flake as much stuff, but it doesn't much matter. Way more expensive for almost zero benefit.

Elites are better than Aksiums.

I found them for the same price online?  I just wasnt sure of the benefits either way.

fwiw, i am 6'3" and weigh 215-220.....on each half ironman i have done, i can get down to 209 and that is the best that i can do. i have done long work outs and come in at 196 at the end but immediately hydrate back up to over 200 lbs....

and again and fwiw, i am not a "fat" clydesdale........

i didnt think i was a "big guy" but again, i have gone to the bike guy for the past four years and he has "convinced" me i am a "big bicyclist".................i have gotten counseling and i am finally "ok" with it.... :-)............

so all that being said, i feel like i am not that big of dude but i broke a spoke and hope i dont ruin these new wheels.......

hope this provides perspective...

replacing a spoke doenst mean the wheel is shot, and often it will be fine after that, as others have said though it can be the beginning of the end for the wheel.

on wheels to check out, the fulcrum racing 7 (i think the lowest in the lineup, might have the numbers backwards though), is an awesome training wheel. i have put around 6000 miles on mine thus far including two winters of riding with no issues.

also the mavic open pro with 32 spokes is a GREAT training wheel.