This is the third Reynolds rim that this has happened to, of course in 10 years with the road bike. Any advice? Different nipple type or technique to avoid this.
PS: It's not my wheel, it's from a client who wants me to build a new wheel, I just want to provide good service and I hope for the wisdom of the community 😉👍
by Own_War_9307
7 Comments
Well, who is checking spoke tension and truing the wheel as necessary?
Nipple washers might help. Other than that, proper, even spoke tension or a heavier rim.
Remind your client to go around the potholes not over them.
maintenance and eyelits on the rim.
A bunch of stuff can extend rim lifespan (periodic truing/tension balancing), eyelets/better rim boss design, etc.
But rims all have a finite lifespan. If the client is on the heavier side they may benefit from a more conventional box rim with a higher spoke count.
You’re missing the point pal. Everything isn’t supposed to be fixed or avoided.
Racer shit is marketed to Joe Shmoes who like the way it rides and looks and shops like the money too . But remember it doesn’t last because you have too much stress on too few spokes. Might last a few races but not years for everyday pounding.
Show off your wheel building skills with rebuilding a 36 hole hub with DT 14 gauge spokes and a Dura Ace hub
Did you forget racers get new shit every season? Think about the strength to weight ratio combined with price and longevity.
Buy your guy a stronger wheel or tell him to save that fragile lightweight stuff for race day. It ain’t no tandem or touring wheel . Go back to 36 spokes no problem
A few tips:
– Proper tension using a calibrated tensiometer and the rim manufacturer’s recommendations for maximum spoke tension.
– Double butted or bladed spokes. Never use straight gauge spokes with carbon rims, they’re too stiff and transmit more force to the rim bed and hub flanges.
– Proper spoke count for the use case. That era of wheel was sometimes underbuilt with less than 24 spokes rear or 20 spokes up front (rim brake), increasing strain at the rim bed. A heavy rider and the wrong pothole is all it takes 🤷♂️ 💀
Surprised that no one has mentioned tyres. I recall when specialized bought out their armadillo tires, people started breaking spokes. A good, flexible tyre, at a suitable pressure, will take a lot of stress off the spokes.