eccc whippet Posted January 4, 2016 Share As some of you know i purchased a second hand merida bike in mint condition...which had hardly been ridden...with it came a few minor issue as i would expect buying a second hand bike...most of the problems have been sorted out...however one issue just wouldnt go away no matter what i tried. I took the bike to a lbs and asked them to check everything...one of the problems i was experiencing was that at about 50 km/hr the back wheel would start bouncing...thinking it was the wheel i sent in to be trued...got it back...same problem. took it to another bike shop...eventually after numerous attempts...i decided to replace the tires because of what looked like a flat spot on the tyre. problem solved...no more bouncing. however i started experiencing another problem...loose spokes...every time i ride the bike...i would have to stop at the lbs to get the spokes re tensioned...so i went for a third opinion. I asked numerous people about the weight limit of the wheels and everyone indicated that they should be fine for my weight (until recently 108 kg.) i decided to google the weight limit of these wheels...there is no weight limit listed. so i contacted J&J who are the sa agents for these wheels and ask where i could find a weight limit listed...because the wheels are still so new and i shouldnt be experiencing these problems with spoke coming loose...i was going to get the original invoice and send the wheels back under warranty...but decided against it. Finally after many frustrating hours of back and forth to the lbs...i am told today by J& J that unofficially i am too heavy for the wheels and need to replace them with more suitable wheels which can carry my weight (: "they would not recommend anyone heavier than 90 kg use these wheels" Apparently even though there is no weight limit on these wheels best you stay far away from them. You going to be very frustrated with these wheels...the spokes come loose after about 30 km...by 50 km they start to disconnect which will cause the right hand side one to start breaking if you ride longer distances. It looks like I need to find stronger wheels...any suggestions...rated for at least 110 kg ? Anyone lighter than 80 kg looking for a a set of fulcrum racing pro wheels? Edited January 4, 2016 by isetech pe3nguin 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Veebee Posted January 4, 2016 Share No expert but I find it hard to believe that it is your weight causing the problem. I am using the Fulcrum racing 3, which is a lighter wheel so would assume that it handles less weight... When i started riding them, I weighed 100kg, and rode almost 4000km with them with no issues. Find another shop to have a look at it, or a specialist wheel builder in Durban. [the more experienced hubbers will be able to help you with info] Capricorn 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pe3nguin Posted January 4, 2016 Share Lighter than 80kg reporting in <wink wink>Give Paul at Melville Cycles a shout though. Does a great job when it comes to wheel building and he might be able to assist. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
quintonb Posted January 4, 2016 Share A really good wheel builder may be able to improve the situation, but I think eventually the wheels will fail again.My advice and experience for bigger boned people is custom built wheels.My personal favorite is a 36 hole Mavic Open Pro rim built onto shimano Ultegra/dura-ace hubs using Double butted spokes. Very important, always use double butted spokes. Built correctly, wheels like I mentioned will last years. Keep the Fulcrum's for race day or sell to fund the custom wheels. Just my 2c worth Edited January 4, 2016 by quintonb Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
eccc whippet Posted January 4, 2016 Share I have dropped off the wheel at another bike shop and await the response from J&J...which i will hopefully get by tomorrow afternoon...we will then make a decision from their response...where to from here. just spoken to someone else about my issues with the wheel...it seems i am not the only person. quinton it doesnt help keeping them for a race day...by the time i get to umhloti from sun coast the spoke is already hanging loose...as i mentioned 30 km and the spokes are already loose..just imagine the consequences on a 100 km race day...coming down fields hill at 70-80 km/hr or the M19...with my weight i am hoping to get closer to 100 km/hr...eeeish the scary part is this weekend we had a 100 km ride planned...which would have included both hills...just imagine the back wheel falling apart down one of those hills...think i will rather do the ride on my old trek 1000 i would feel safer. Edited January 4, 2016 by isetech Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gonduir Posted January 4, 2016 Share I ride on a set of campagnolo zonda wheels. Been riding them for the past year, I also weigh 108kg. Haven't had any issues with them. They have also never been sent away to be trued. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CAAD4 Posted January 4, 2016 Share My weight has been between 95 and 103 for the past 8 years and my Fulcrum Racing 7's have been flawless. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
eccc whippet Posted January 5, 2016 Share My weight has been between 95 and 103 for the past 8 years and my Fulcrum Racing 7's have been flawless.Has anyone ever fiddled with or adjusted your spokes? ...i am starting to think it has something to do with "breaking the seal" because the fulcrum pro wheels has a straight spoke with no hook on the end if you squeeze 2 spokes together somewhere on the wheel there are spokes which no longer have tension on them which means you can loosen it by hand...with an old type spoke you cant do this because the hook in the hub prevents the spoke from turning. I can only assume that the threads on the fulcrum wheels are either suppose to be so tight that other spokes should still be tensioned or they use a special loctite to hold the thread... hence the question...people who have never had problems have never had anyone adjust the spokes...or used the right stuff to secure the threads or tensioned to correct tension. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CAAD4 Posted January 5, 2016 Share Never touched in all the time. I'd buy Fulcrums again. Famiglia of Campagnolo. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CAAD4 Posted January 5, 2016 Share I ride Campagnolo Eurus wheels on my Synapse and Khamsin wheels on my SS bike. So far, no problems in years for this Buffalo. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Veebee Posted January 5, 2016 Share I also have not touched my wheels. You said they under warranty, so get them sent back to J&J and let them have a look, you may end up lucky and land up with a new set if there's a problem with yours Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
eccc whippet Posted January 5, 2016 Share The wheel has been sent to J&J. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
J∆kk∆ls Posted January 5, 2016 Share Your weight might be an issue but your weight and the power you are pushing out combined might be the cause. If you don't come right I would suggest trying out the Easton EA90 RT's. They are a seriously competent wheel set. The rims are also wider, coupled with a 25mm tyre you will be styling. Good luck sir. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kom Posted January 5, 2016 Share Im having the same issue with my Fulcrum Racing 7's Ive tried resolving the issues myself, but still end up with one or two loose spokes after each ride. I weight 87kgs, which is below the 90kgs the supplier quoted you, so dont believe its weight causing the issue, while its certainly a contributor. Im sending mine in to my LBS tomorrow, will let you know how it goes. It helps to know though that your LBS wasnt able to resolve the issue either. I may end up asking for a full rebuild so they can add a retaining compound to the thread of all the spokes. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kom Posted January 5, 2016 Share Your weight might be an issue but your weight and the power you are pushing out combined might be the cause. I particularily notice that my wheels come undone when im doing hill sprints, where i tend to stand, which probably puts the most force on the spokes. I weigh 87kgs though, which is within the quoted max rider weight. IMHO i believe wheels need to be rebuilt to renew the retaining compound on each spoke nipple. An LBS wont do this if a wheel is in for truing. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
J∆kk∆ls Posted January 5, 2016 Share I particularily notice that my wheels come undone when im doing hill sprints, where i tend to stand, which probably puts the most force on the spokes. I weigh 87kgs though, which is within the quoted max rider weight. IMHO i believe wheels need to be rebuilt to renew the retaining compound on each spoke nipple. An LBS wont do this if a wheel is in for truing.My mate had the same problem when powering up hill he weighs 110kg. back would flex like hell until a spoke gave in. He switched to Easton and problem was solved! Rebuilding a wheel each time something comes undone sounds like a lot of work. Why not get stronger wheels? This will save you and your LBS a headache! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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