What's wrong with my wheels?
Posted: Tue Feb 12, 2013 9:35 pm
Hey team,
I just broke my third spoke in a raw on equal wheels. I cannot identify the cause though, making just assumptions and leading nowhere. Any ideas?
I am currently 80kg (176.4 lb), 1.9m (6.16 ft) tall and ride a 6.4kg Orbea Orca on a variety of terrains from flat to 21% slope.
First failure came from my 2011 rear Easton EC90 Aero wheel, when a DS spoke broke during a steep incline. Wheelset has been purchased new from the local importer and I had only put around 600Km on it. Replaced the spoke on my wheel builder with a CX-Ray, no problems so far.
Second failure was on the rear wheel of a custom set put together from 20mm carbon tubular rims (Planet-X branded), BHS hubs and Sapim CX-Rays laced on a 20/24, radial front, 2XDS, radial NDS patern. The set came as light as 1040gr. A NDS spoke broke right out of the hub hole during a ridiculous slow cadence, almost no power resume after a break at the bakery shop. Worth mentioning that I managed to ride home for about 50km with one spoke less. CX-Ray was replaced using the same builder who originally built them up.
Third incident occurred today on the same custom wheelset, this time a spoke broke while cruising at around 25Km/h out of the front wheel, right out of the hub hole.
Took the wheelset to a different builder this time, he said he needs some time to inspect and will get back to me. I have just mounted my spare Racing Zeros on the bike but I am so into tubulars, I really cannot stand seeing the bike with alloy clinchers.
So is it me? Am I too heavy? Am I riding weird (I think not)?, is it my builder? Any thoughts are welcome. I am in the process of purchasing a 38mm deep carbon tubs with 24/28 spoke count and brass nipples, will do any good?
Thanks for reading and sharing thoughts...
I just broke my third spoke in a raw on equal wheels. I cannot identify the cause though, making just assumptions and leading nowhere. Any ideas?
I am currently 80kg (176.4 lb), 1.9m (6.16 ft) tall and ride a 6.4kg Orbea Orca on a variety of terrains from flat to 21% slope.
First failure came from my 2011 rear Easton EC90 Aero wheel, when a DS spoke broke during a steep incline. Wheelset has been purchased new from the local importer and I had only put around 600Km on it. Replaced the spoke on my wheel builder with a CX-Ray, no problems so far.
Second failure was on the rear wheel of a custom set put together from 20mm carbon tubular rims (Planet-X branded), BHS hubs and Sapim CX-Rays laced on a 20/24, radial front, 2XDS, radial NDS patern. The set came as light as 1040gr. A NDS spoke broke right out of the hub hole during a ridiculous slow cadence, almost no power resume after a break at the bakery shop. Worth mentioning that I managed to ride home for about 50km with one spoke less. CX-Ray was replaced using the same builder who originally built them up.
Third incident occurred today on the same custom wheelset, this time a spoke broke while cruising at around 25Km/h out of the front wheel, right out of the hub hole.
Took the wheelset to a different builder this time, he said he needs some time to inspect and will get back to me. I have just mounted my spare Racing Zeros on the bike but I am so into tubulars, I really cannot stand seeing the bike with alloy clinchers.
So is it me? Am I too heavy? Am I riding weird (I think not)?, is it my builder? Any thoughts are welcome. I am in the process of purchasing a 38mm deep carbon tubs with 24/28 spoke count and brass nipples, will do any good?
Thanks for reading and sharing thoughts...