I've had my LBS true it twice, but each time they said it's time for a new one. Also, they can't get me a new one since it's an odd-ball wheel (Cannondale Bad Boy lefty).
I'm not sure, but I feel like it's getting worse.
I ride this about 1500-2000 miles per year commuting to work. Back wheel has been replaced twice already.
I just don't know if this thing could collapse while I'm riding and then I'm eating pavement, or if it's really only a problem if I had rim brakes, which I don't.
Is this wheel sturdy or about to collapse?
byu/nevecque inbikewrench
by nevecque
10 Comments
With some truing it will probably be fine. Maybe try a different bike shop or attempt it yourself?
I’m not too familiar with lefty wheels, from what I’m aware, you can just rebuild the wheel with a standard rim and spokes on the existing hub. Assuming there’s nothing wrong with the hub, they should be able to rebuild the wheel. Maybe that’s what they mean when they say it’s time for a new one, but I would have them clarify if you decide to go that route.
I would check every spoke on the disk side, maybe one came loose or one is pulling through the rim.
Impossible to say from this low quality video, put it in a truing stand and check it completely (true, dish, spoke tension)
Looks bad if it isn’t the tire not being seated correctly.
Check a different bike shop, does the one you went to service lefty’s normally?
I agree with the other poster about considering a new rim. A good LBS can absolutely put that hub on a new rim. Since you’ve gone through two rear wheels, I’d consider some strong new rims. Sun Rhyno Lite rims are bomb proof, but I’ve also heard good things about Velocity Cliffhanger and Atlas rims. If you’re a heavier rider (like myself) or you simply ride hard, you sometimes just need really tough rims.
Consider changing shops.
If your LBS says you need a new wheel in this situation, you may need to find a new LBS. First, a lefty fork does require specific lefty hubs. Pretty rare you’d find someone selling just a lefty, disc brake compatible, front wheel in the diameter you need. If your LBS knows how to build wheels (which is wild to believe that there are bike shops that don’t do that, but I have unfortunately witnessed it myself), they should be advising a wheel build while reusing the hub. Reusing spokes and a rim can result in a wheel that will never be perfect, but reusing a hub can result in a perfect wheel in 99% of situations. The only time a used hub would impact building a wheel is if the spoke holes are worn and have deep indents from the spokes.
So in my opinion, you should get a new rim, spokes, and nipples; and then have it built into a new wheel. Make sure that the builder uses spoke prep (it acts similarly to Loctite in that it prevents/greatly reduces the probability that the nipples will de-tension once the wheel has been built). The shop I work at offers a free 100-mile re-tension after a wheel build since a new wheel will settle.
Lastly – your LBS telling you that you need a new wheel is an indication that they really don’t want to/know how to build a new wheel using your hub. It could also be an indication that they’re trying to upsell you a new wheel or wheel set since they can just order something from a wholesaler to meet your needs. It could also just be them trying to find you the fastest option. Either way, in your situation, it’s likely going to be cheaper to have any bike shop build a wheel with your existing hub than buying a brand new wheel since the only companies I can think of that offer lefty hubs are i9, DT Swiss, Chris King, and other high end component brands. You’d be paying $300+ for a front wheel if you went that route.
I feel like the biggest question nobody is asking is why did the shop tell you it was time for a new one?
If it keeps going out of true… is the rim fatigued and the spokes are not properly tension balanced? Are the spokes damaged? Are the nipples seizing and causing truing issues? Or are they just saying NFG with no further explanation?
Because – as others have said – any reputable shop should be able to rebuild on that hub with new rim, spokes and nips. Heck, throw some new bearings in the hub while you’re at it and the whole thing will be freshened up and roll like new.
Also, gotta ask… if the shop is a shop you trust, why aren’t you listening to their recommendations?
If you can’t find a shop willing to do an affordable rebuild, you have a couple of options that haven’t come up. There are a fair number of lefty front wheels and wheelsets on ebay. I’d also consider replacing the fork with a used conventional fork.
Go to a bike shop, most likely just need to true your wheel, spokes can loose tension and wobble. Doing it yourself isn’t easy if you don’t have the tools.