So, went around a corner a bit too hard. Maybe put too much of my weight on the front end, and bent it! I’m fine, wheel is not. My question is this: how do I avoid this happening? Just avoid hitting corners like this? It literally bent right down the middle at the bottom, so I’m a bit intrigued. Could it be that it was cracked previously and was easier to do? Or was it genuinely just my negligence? Maybe invest into stronger wheels? Looking into some advice. For context, I don’t know what kind of wheel was on the front, but will edit with new details. Very new to commuting via bike, so thank you in advance for any advice tips or blunt honesty. 6’5 260ishlb male, bike I believe is an XL size (22in) Raleigh brand, but I’m willing to provide other details as well, just since this was a bit of a shock, just putting this out there for vibes. I’ve had thoughts that possibly, a bigger bike might be a good investment- but I had assumed after a bit of research that this should be good for my size. Thanks in advance!
by ReconThotHunter
4 Comments
I’m sure you don’t need to be told this but you’re a big guy, and you’re pushing the weight limit of a lot of stock parts, particularly wheels. It may be that they’ve been developing stress for a while and this one last corner was just too much for them.
Apologies, that’s not intended to be rude.
Stronger wheels may help, as well as checking the rated weight limit for your bike.
A well built, strong wheel should never break like this in a corner even at your weight. This wheel was probably compromised before
It likely does come down to the load on that metal, as u/Force-Grand (whose username checks out btw) and you have already discussed, but …
Did you ever check tension on the spokes?
[https://www.sheldonbrown.com/tooltips/truing.html](https://www.sheldonbrown.com/tooltips/truing.html)
Even in post-mortem, some simple examinations might turn up something instructive. For starters, I notice the failure happened opposite the valve.
Also: were you much in the habit of hopping curbs?
Regardless, glad to hear you sound okay, OP!
Missed taco Tuesday by one day.