Wheel building

[dave303e]

wheel is from mid 2022. Done plenty of km, most of them fairly easy riding. But still a lot of riding. 

[Ruben101]

1 hour ago, dave303e said:

so a question to the wheel builders out there...

I have just snapped a spoke, 2nd time I have managed it in 6 months. Just a single spoke on rear wheel each time. Is it cause for concern or just part of life? I don't do a lot of technical riding on the bike, but it does happen every now and then.

My concern is a 2 week bikepacking race in August that will have the bike loaded.
The wheels are Reynolds hubs and Reynolds carbon hoops. Not sure the exact model.

I was going to take 1 or 2 spare spokes, now it seems maybe like 5?

Is this on a Titan Racing Cypher Carbon Pro?

[dave303e]

yes just googled it - 

• Reynolds TR429 Carbon Wheels

[Prince Albert Cycles]

With that trip in mind I will rebuild them 

[David Marshall]

2 hours ago, dave303e said:

so a question to the wheel builders out there...

I have just snapped a spoke, 2nd time I have managed it in 6 months. Just a single spoke on rear wheel each time. Is it cause for concern or just part of life? I don't do a lot of technical riding on the bike, but it does happen every now and then.

My concern is a 2 week bikepacking race in August that will have the bike loaded.
The wheels are Reynolds hubs and Reynolds carbon hoops. Not sure the exact model.

I was going to take 1 or 2 spare spokes, now it seems maybe like 5?

Spokes snap from fatigue.  Usually at the thread or near the head. Unfortunately all are affected so if more than one breaks it's time to rebuild.  

If on the rear drive side just check that it is not damage from the chain coming off and grinding the spokes next to the cassette.

With modern spokes, a well built and designed wheel - carrying spare spokes is unnecessary.

[Ruben101]

25 minutes ago, dave303e said:

yes just googled it - 

• Reynolds TR429 Carbon Wheels

All the cypher carbon pro's I have seen, has all had a spoke or more break on that specific wheelset. Even met a guy who cracked a reynolds hub in half on a team edition cypher😂

Edited May 13, 2025 by Ruben101

[dave303e]

They snapped at the nipple side, so not chain issues.

Sounds like I will be rebuilding the wheel fully then. Thanks for the input.

[droo]

2 minutes ago, dave303e said:

They snapped at the nipple side, so not chain issues.

Sounds like I will be rebuilding the wheel fully then. Thanks for the input.

If it's at the first thread, it's a fatigue issue. New spokes all round, and make sure your wheel builder knows about stress relieving.

[David Marshall]

On 5/13/2025 at 10:58 AM, droo said:

If it's at the first thread, it's a fatigue issue. New spokes all round, and make sure your wheel builder knows about stress relieving.

Stress relieving the wheel.  I use a different (more classical) technique!

[Martin PJ]

On 5/13/2025 at 10:55 AM, dave303e said:

They snapped at the nipple side, so not chain issues.

Sounds like I will be rebuilding the wheel fully then. Thanks for the input.

Borrow some cheap wheels for the trip. 

I have noticed with my tandem it is always the same side, same orientation that breaks. Broken about 6 out of 9 spokes on the one side like this. Wheel has 36 spokes.

 

[dave303e]

5 minutes ago, Martin PJ said:

Borrow some cheap wheels for the trip. 

I have noticed with my tandem it is always the same side, same orientation that breaks. Broken about 6 out of 9 spokes on the one side like this. Wheel has 36 spokes.

 

I am not racing Silk Road Mountain race on borrowed wheels, just not worth the risk of failure.
Nick the wheel builder built me a new wheel with a son dyno hub for the front for the trip, that one I am not even mildly concerned about.
I would have sent the rear down to him to get new spokes this week, but I have multiple 100 mile races in the next 2 weeks so I need the wheel fixed quickly unfortunately.
My LBS is solid as well, they are rebuilding the wheel as well. I am in limbo in terms of getting a new wheel built anyway so I have matching rims and then maybe a hope hub rear. But I have time to think about that. 

[nick_the_wheelbuilder]

There are not many new hand-built wheel options anymore under R10k for the set, but this is one of them.

Stan's now has their Arch S2 rims available in SA, and paired with very solid Cure XC4 hubs and double butted spokes, these wheels are great quality and offer excellent value for money.

The rims are not offset like the Stan's Mk4 rims, and are a bit heavier, but have the same 28mm inner width as the Arch Mk4 version - meaning they work well for 2.2 - 2.5" tubeless-ready tyres.

And yes, non-boost hubs are available for those of us still riding older bikes.

[nick_the_wheelbuilder]

A set of gravel wheels I have just finished assembling.
Can't wait to see this bike all built up with the Lefty...

[G P]

Those do look good.  looking forward to seeing the Alpha 50's.

[nick_the_wheelbuilder]

On 7/30/2025 at 8:03 AM, G P said:

Those do look good.  looking forward to seeing the Alpha 50's.

You asked for it...

• 1290g for the set, with tape and valves.
• 160kg system weight limit.
• 23mm inner width x 50mm deep profile.
• Glossy, UD finish with solid black graphics under clearcoat.
• 36t star ratchet freehub mechanism

I really loved every minute of this build.

Enjoy the photos.

[nick_the_wheelbuilder]

Sharing some pics of a wheel set I've just completed.

• 1180g for the set, with tape and valves installed.
• 30mm inner width, asymmetrical 29er rims
• Bladed Pillar spokes and black brass nipples
• 140kg system weight limit

The spoke holes are molded, not drilled, so even though they're light, they're strong.

These are not just super-light, fragile race-day wheels.
I've told the customer he can use these everyday with no worries.

Pretty, no?