Should I upgrade the spokes - American Classic Wide lightning - s

[-Gazza-]

Hi, I have had my wheel set for nearing a year, great wheels. Today I broke a spoke while starting to sprint up a moderate climb. I'm not the lightest rider, 85kg.

 

Is this a sign that I should have the wheels rebuild with stronger spokes?

[David Marshall]

Most spoke breaks are from metal fatigue - and the break is usually at the spoke head where it goes through the hub, or else where the thread enters the nipple or even the nipple itself may crumble.  Fatigue normally affects all the spokes that is why people suggest replacing if one breaks. Any other break would be from a nick in the spoke - usually chain inflicted - or something jamming in the wheel.  It would be interesting to see the break on your spoke.

 

If I am not mistaken the AC spokes are double butted 2mm 1.8mm 2mm.  You don't get more durable than that.  Also if there are 32 spokes on each wheel that should be enough for your weight. You could improve on the wheel with brass nipples if you re spoke.

 

I would replace the spoke and see what happens.  If the problem was a faulty or damaged spoke you should be fine.  If another one breaks then go ahead and rebuild

[-Gazza-]

Thanks for the reply, spoke broke in the middle clean break but think your approach is the best. Replace the spoke, ride it like I stole it and see what happens.

[Daniel J Méssem]

Make sure that your spokes are properly tensioned, loose spokes allow for the fatigue that David mentioned

The spokes should also be evenly tensioned

I bet the spoke that broke was on the side of the wheel with the shortest spokes, disk side for the front, casette side for the rear

[Daniel J Méssem]

No wait, I got my sides wrong I think

[-Gazza-]

Broken spoke is on the disk side, fourth from the valve. I stay in Randpark Ridge, work in Sandton where is the best place to take my wheel into?

[-Gazza-]

Dbl post, deleted

[Captain Fastbastard Mayhem]

Broken spoke is on the disk side, fourth from the valve. I stay in Randpark Ridge, work in Sandton where is the best place to take my wheel into?

Take them to Anton Bosman at Summit Bikes.

[tunariaan]

vettie!

[David Marshall]

Broken spoke is on the disk side, fourth from the valve. I stay in Randpark Ridge, work in Sandton where is the best place to take my wheel into?

Need you ask????

[nick_the_wheelbuilder]

If it broke in the middle the chances are that it was a material defect rather than metal fatigue.

 

Replace the spoke and ride on.

 

This would be a great opportunity to have a wheel builder do this for you and equalise the spoke tensions at the same time.

 

I'm in Paulshof BTW

[ChUkKy]

Broken spoke is on the disk side, fourth from the valve. I stay in Randpark Ridge, work in Sandton where is the best place to take my wheel into?

 

Try the guy who first replied to you 

 

... and another one just after I hit post.

[CAAD4]

I'm heavier than you and my Spoke an Spanner built wheels are still as true as ever, a few years later, there was even a song about it...

[Long Wheel Base]

I'm heavier than you and my Spoke an Spanner built wheels are still as true as ever, a few years later, there was even a song about it...

Yeah but you got so many bikes the wheels probably don't see much mileage[emoji1]. When last did you ride plumbers pride?

[-Gazza-]

The Bike is booked in to CycloWorx, going to have the guys give the bike a look over as well, I service the basics myself so it will be good to see if I'm doing a good enough Job ;-)

[-Gazza-]

Thanks David, I completely missed that you owned a shop. I'm a chop