Black_Jack Posted November 23, 2009 Share Hi I have the spokes on my wheels showing rust. The rust seems to be on the surface only cause if I scratch it off, the spokes don't show any pot marks. I do not know the spec of the wheels, it just says "Shimano Wheels" and they have 8 spokes a side. My concern is if the rust is weakening the spokes, and because it only has 16 spokes - do i run the risk that a spoke can break and the wheels will collapse ? Attached i have a pic. Thanks - any ideas or opinions welcome. Cheers Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Black_Jack Posted November 23, 2009 Share anyone... ? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
droo Posted November 23, 2009 Share From the fact that they're 16 spoke straight pull, I'd guess the spokes are stainless. Which means that any rust will only be surface rust, and should just polish off - espscially if, as you say, there is no marking of the surface underneath. But why is it there in the first place? Has the bike been left outside in the rain? Or not dried properly? Or covered with iron filings? These are about the only things that can cause ss to rust. Pretty sure Johan will be along shortly though... And a note from the fashion police - set the limit stops on your rear mech properly, and take that 'orrible plastic soup plate off... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Aurora Posted November 23, 2009 Share Mine are doing that to, same wheels I think. They were perfect then not used for a year or so, picked them up the other day to find rusty spokes Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BogusOne Posted November 23, 2009 Share take some "steelwool" and elbow grease to remove the rust Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Black_Jack Posted November 23, 2009 Share Thanks - so I take it they will not just all of a sudden break ? I have no idea what causes the rust. I've read a thread that said small parts of rubber off the brake blocks stick to the spokes, and as they can retain moisture, they start to rust. Not sure how rubber can rust, and not sure if the paint can rust... ? but it does look like there are some rusty bumps on the spokes. The bike is always inside, but I do live in Cape Town, so i guess it's pretty difficult keeping rust away from anything metallic... as for the soup plate - will do officer... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
droo Posted November 23, 2009 Share Good show. And the brake dust story sounds plausible enough, so I'd say the moral of the story is wash your bike more often Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Johan Bornman Posted November 23, 2009 Share I am stumped. Those are supposed to be stainless spokes with a black zinc oxide finish. No room for rust on that combo. I have never seen it happen other than on Hyperama bicycles. They won't just start to break, relax about that. But do arrest the rust by wiping with an oily rag or something.. What I frind particularly intriguing, is that the aluminium nipples should have shown chunks of white alu oxide crystals, but there seems to be none. There's something fishy in the air. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MaxUmis Posted November 23, 2009 Share I have a question too. How do you okes feel about a quick release pointing forward like in the picture? Personally I'm very nervous about wheels coming off whilst in mid air. Especially because I've had a front wheel drop off and roll away down the road while I was busting some air. What are the chances of something snagging and ripping open a QR pointing forward? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Johan Bornman Posted November 23, 2009 Share OK, I'll bite on this one. I think the story that a forward-facing QR can snag on something, open up and make you plant your fork in the soil is an old wives' tale. A QR should be toit, toit, so tight that when you push the lever it in leaves a white mark on your skin. Now, for that thing to be opened by a passing twig and not pull you off balance in the first place, is impossible.Futher, it will have to be some sort of special obstacle that opens it. A head-on collision with something won't do the trick, the lever has to swing in an arch. I can't envisage a real scenario where that will happen. However, I'm awaiting a flood of anecdotes to prove me wrong. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
droo Posted November 23, 2009 Share Johan, the Cr oxide layer on SS can be compromised by a few things - exposure to mild steel, 'v'-shaped scratches and prolonged exposure to salty water being among them. So the brake dust theory is plausible - the dust particles could cause water to accumulate around them, and cause localised corrosion. But you're right, the spoke-to-rim connectors should be showing signs of corrosion too - if they're alu. Maybe they're brass - Shimano have been known to make quality parts from time to time... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Johan Bornman Posted November 23, 2009 Share Johan' date=' the Cr oxide layer on SS can be compromised by a few things - exposure to mild steel, 'v'-shaped scratches and prolonged exposure to salty water being among them. So the brake dust theory is plausible - the dust particles could cause water to accumulate around them, and cause localised corrosion. But you're right, the spoke-to-rim connectors should be showing signs of corrosion too - if they're alu. Maybe they're brass - Shimano have been known to make quality parts from time to time...[/quote'] I'm convinced those are alu, they are too dull for plated brass. Please explain to me how V-shaped scratches can contribute to rust, I understand the other contributors but not this one. Thanks. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Johan Bornman Posted November 23, 2009 Share Black Jack, please edit your topic to reflect Rust on Spokes. You had me all fired up about laughing at someone who still uses chromed steel rims and now this. I even had some ice-skating jokes in reserve for teasing you about braking in the rain. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shebeen Posted November 23, 2009 Share From the fact that they're 16 spoke straight pull' date=' I'd guess the spokes are stainless. ..[/quote'] just out of interest, why is that? and the old trick to see if they're stainless or not, use a magnet. if it sticks, then it aint stainless. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Minion Posted November 24, 2009 Share f it sticks' date=' then it [generally'] aint stainless.There are three broad types of stainless steel: Austenitic, Ferritic and Martensitic. Of these three, Austentic SS is generally non-magnetic, while the other two are magnetic. About 70%+ of the world's SS production is Austenitic stainless and most common SS items (such as spokes) are usually made out of this type. It is reasonable to assume that the spokes are austenitic. You still can not, however, guarantee the effectiveness of the magnet test on SS spokes. One of the conditions under which Austenitic SS can become magnetic is when it is cold worked. The two most used spoke manufacturing processes are drawing and forging. Both of these are cold working processes that can make the steel magnetic. If the magnet sticks, you can say that the spoke is stainless. If it doesn't stick, you cannot draw any conclusions. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Minion Posted November 24, 2009 Share If the magnet sticks' date=' you can say that the spoke is stainless. If it doesn't stick, you cannot draw any conclusions.[/quote']A quick magnet test on my spokes at home shows the following: Spoke; Wheel; Material; Response Sapim CX-Ray; Zipp & Scirroco; 18/8 SS; MagneticSapim Laser; Custom; 18/8 SS; MagneticUnknown; Khamsin; Black-coated SS; Non-magneticUnknown; Alex TD17; Black-coated SS; Non-magnetic The CX-Ray and Laser are both drawn and forged, making their austenitic steel magnetic.The two other spokes are non-magnetic but this may be caused by the black coating, rather than the underlying metal. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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