My wheels are making me nuts! ;) - Cycling Mob: Road Cycling, Mountain Biking and More

06-09-2004, 01:47 PM

I need some advice here.

I purchased by bike a month ago. I had to get my spokes re-tightened
(forget that word, my first language is French and I have no idea for the
correct english term) about a week ago. Today as I was riding the bike
started making the same racket noise that it did before I had my wheels
fixed.

One of the shop I went to told me that because I was heavy, my wheels will
need to be adjusted often. Also told me that my spokes were low quality
and that made it worth. He wanted to sell me a new wheel for the back
because that is where most of my weight is when I ride. Said the rest of my
wheel
is good quality but the spokes are not. I wanted to have the spokes
replaced but he said it would cost more than purchase a new wheel
entirelly...

Does this make any sense? He offered to sell me a Deore wheel with Anodized
spokes and dual walled frame. Pretty similar to what I have except for the
spokes. 100 CAN$.

06-09-2004, 02:09 PM

On Wed, 9 Jun 2004 17:47:09 -0400, "Daniel Crispin"
<[Only registered and activated users can see links. ]> wrote:
>I purchased by bike a month ago. I had to get my spokes re-tightened

You needed it trued (if it was out of true, as in, the rim was
wobbly but the hub was straight), or you needed the spokes
re-tensioned (if they were even with eachother but not tight
enough), or both.

>One of the shop I went to told me that because I was heavy, my wheels will
>need to be adjusted often. Also told me that my spokes were low quality
>and that made it worth. He wanted to sell me a new wheel for the back

Sounds like the quality issue is not the spokes, but rather, the
person (or machine) who built the wheel. For loads of discussion on
this issue, go to groups.google.com and search the rec.bicycles.tech
group. The spokes where probably never properly tensioned, and the
wheel was not "stress relieved", which is an important step in good
wheelbuilding but not so commonly practiced.

It could also be the wrong wheel for you; if you're heavy, you
probably should have 32 spokes or more. Even so, I'd suspect a bad
build as a contributing factor.

>Does this make any sense? He offered to sell me a Deore wheel with Anodized
>spokes and dual walled frame. Pretty similar to what I have except for the
>spokes. 100 CAN$.

I wouldn't buy another wheel from the same shop. Try to find a local
shop with a _good_ wheelbuilder, or locate one elsewhere who can
build you a wheel and mail it to you. There are a few good
wheelbuilders on rec.bicycles.tech who post daily.
--
Rick Onanian

06-09-2004, 02:09 PM

On Wed, 9 Jun 2004 17:47:09 -0400, "Daniel Crispin"
<[Only registered and activated users can see links. ]> wrote:
>I purchased by bike a month ago. I had to get my spokes re-tightened

You needed it trued (if it was out of true, as in, the rim was
wobbly but the hub was straight), or you needed the spokes
re-tensioned (if they were even with eachother but not tight
enough), or both.

>One of the shop I went to told me that because I was heavy, my wheels will
>need to be adjusted often. Also told me that my spokes were low quality
>and that made it worth. He wanted to sell me a new wheel for the back

Sounds like the quality issue is not the spokes, but rather, the
person (or machine) who built the wheel. For loads of discussion on
this issue, go to groups.google.com and search the rec.bicycles.tech
group. The spokes where probably never properly tensioned, and the
wheel was not "stress relieved", which is an important step in good
wheelbuilding but not so commonly practiced.

It could also be the wrong wheel for you; if you're heavy, you
probably should have 32 spokes or more. Even so, I'd suspect a bad
build as a contributing factor.

>Does this make any sense? He offered to sell me a Deore wheel with Anodized
>spokes and dual walled frame. Pretty similar to what I have except for the
>spokes. 100 CAN$.

I wouldn't buy another wheel from the same shop. Try to find a local
shop with a _good_ wheelbuilder, or locate one elsewhere who can
build you a wheel and mail it to you. There are a few good
wheelbuilders on rec.bicycles.tech who post daily.
--
Rick Onanian

06-09-2004, 02:09 PM

On Wed, 9 Jun 2004 17:47:09 -0400, "Daniel Crispin"
<[Only registered and activated users can see links. ]> wrote:
>I purchased by bike a month ago. I had to get my spokes re-tightened

You needed it trued (if it was out of true, as in, the rim was
wobbly but the hub was straight), or you needed the spokes
re-tensioned (if they were even with eachother but not tight
enough), or both.

>One of the shop I went to told me that because I was heavy, my wheels will
>need to be adjusted often. Also told me that my spokes were low quality
>and that made it worth. He wanted to sell me a new wheel for the back

Sounds like the quality issue is not the spokes, but rather, the
person (or machine) who built the wheel. For loads of discussion on
this issue, go to groups.google.com and search the rec.bicycles.tech
group. The spokes where probably never properly tensioned, and the
wheel was not "stress relieved", which is an important step in good
wheelbuilding but not so commonly practiced.

It could also be the wrong wheel for you; if you're heavy, you
probably should have 32 spokes or more. Even so, I'd suspect a bad
build as a contributing factor.

>Does this make any sense? He offered to sell me a Deore wheel with Anodized
>spokes and dual walled frame. Pretty similar to what I have except for the
>spokes. 100 CAN$.

I wouldn't buy another wheel from the same shop. Try to find a local
shop with a _good_ wheelbuilder, or locate one elsewhere who can
build you a wheel and mail it to you. There are a few good
wheelbuilders on rec.bicycles.tech who post daily.
--
Rick Onanian

06-09-2004, 02:09 PM

On Wed, 9 Jun 2004 17:47:09 -0400, "Daniel Crispin"
<[Only registered and activated users can see links. ]> wrote:
>I purchased by bike a month ago. I had to get my spokes re-tightened

You needed it trued (if it was out of true, as in, the rim was
wobbly but the hub was straight), or you needed the spokes
re-tensioned (if they were even with eachother but not tight
enough), or both.

>One of the shop I went to told me that because I was heavy, my wheels will
>need to be adjusted often. Also told me that my spokes were low quality
>and that made it worth. He wanted to sell me a new wheel for the back

Sounds like the quality issue is not the spokes, but rather, the
person (or machine) who built the wheel. For loads of discussion on
this issue, go to groups.google.com and search the rec.bicycles.tech
group. The spokes where probably never properly tensioned, and the
wheel was not "stress relieved", which is an important step in good
wheelbuilding but not so commonly practiced.

It could also be the wrong wheel for you; if you're heavy, you
probably should have 32 spokes or more. Even so, I'd suspect a bad
build as a contributing factor.

>Does this make any sense? He offered to sell me a Deore wheel with Anodized
>spokes and dual walled frame. Pretty similar to what I have except for the
>spokes. 100 CAN$.

I wouldn't buy another wheel from the same shop. Try to find a local
shop with a _good_ wheelbuilder, or locate one elsewhere who can
build you a wheel and mail it to you. There are a few good
wheelbuilders on rec.bicycles.tech who post daily.
--
Rick Onanian

06-09-2004, 02:09 PM

On Wed, 9 Jun 2004 17:47:09 -0400, "Daniel Crispin"
<[Only registered and activated users can see links. ]> wrote:
>I purchased by bike a month ago. I had to get my spokes re-tightened

You needed it trued (if it was out of true, as in, the rim was
wobbly but the hub was straight), or you needed the spokes
re-tensioned (if they were even with eachother but not tight
enough), or both.

>One of the shop I went to told me that because I was heavy, my wheels will
>need to be adjusted often. Also told me that my spokes were low quality
>and that made it worth. He wanted to sell me a new wheel for the back

Sounds like the quality issue is not the spokes, but rather, the
person (or machine) who built the wheel. For loads of discussion on
this issue, go to groups.google.com and search the rec.bicycles.tech
group. The spokes where probably never properly tensioned, and the
wheel was not "stress relieved", which is an important step in good
wheelbuilding but not so commonly practiced.

It could also be the wrong wheel for you; if you're heavy, you
probably should have 32 spokes or more. Even so, I'd suspect a bad
build as a contributing factor.

>Does this make any sense? He offered to sell me a Deore wheel with Anodized
>spokes and dual walled frame. Pretty similar to what I have except for the
>spokes. 100 CAN$.

I wouldn't buy another wheel from the same shop. Try to find a local
shop with a _good_ wheelbuilder, or locate one elsewhere who can
build you a wheel and mail it to you. There are a few good
wheelbuilders on rec.bicycles.tech who post daily.
--
Rick Onanian

06-09-2004, 02:11 PM

Well, I weigh 240 lbs and my bike is in the shop...

I've broken a spoke on the rear wheel twice. After the second one I rode
100 lbs before I found a loose spoke on the rear wheel. So now the bike
shop is rebuilding my rear wheel (which they should have done after the
first one since this is a new bike bought last fall). They've had my bike
since Monday, and I was supposed to pick it up today. I call them on the
way home to see if it is ready, but I find they don't have black spokes. I
don't want silver spokes as I may sell those wheels.

So, I'm going to have a custom set of wheels built (not by the bike shop).
I would do it myself but I'd lose too much time from riding while trying to
learn. I'll learn after I get riding again. I just wish I had my bike -- it
looks like I won't get to ride this weekend, either.

I must be free of the LBS for the mechanical needs of my bike.

Somehow, I don't think the problem is just the spokes, but I'm a noob, so
don't listen to me.

Daniel Crispin wrote:
:: I need some advice here.
::
:: I purchased by bike a month ago. I had to get my spokes re-tightened
:: (forget that word, my first language is French and I have no idea
:: for the correct english term) about a week ago. Today as I was
:: riding the bike started making the same racket noise that it did
:: before I had my wheels fixed.
::
:: One of the shop I went to told me that because I was heavy, my
:: wheels will need to be adjusted often. Also told me that my spokes
:: were low quality and that made it worth. He wanted to sell me a new
:: wheel for the back because that is where most of my weight is when I
:: ride. Said the rest of my wheel
:: is good quality but the spokes are not. I wanted to have the spokes
:: replaced but he said it would cost more than purchase a new wheel
:: entirelly...
::
:: Does this make any sense? He offered to sell me a Deore wheel with
:: Anodized spokes and dual walled frame. Pretty similar to what I
:: have except for the spokes. 100 CAN$.

06-09-2004, 02:11 PM

Well, I weigh 240 lbs and my bike is in the shop...

I've broken a spoke on the rear wheel twice. After the second one I rode
100 lbs before I found a loose spoke on the rear wheel. So now the bike
shop is rebuilding my rear wheel (which they should have done after the
first one since this is a new bike bought last fall). They've had my bike
since Monday, and I was supposed to pick it up today. I call them on the
way home to see if it is ready, but I find they don't have black spokes. I
don't want silver spokes as I may sell those wheels.

So, I'm going to have a custom set of wheels built (not by the bike shop).
I would do it myself but I'd lose too much time from riding while trying to
learn. I'll learn after I get riding again. I just wish I had my bike -- it
looks like I won't get to ride this weekend, either.

I must be free of the LBS for the mechanical needs of my bike.

Somehow, I don't think the problem is just the spokes, but I'm a noob, so
don't listen to me.

Daniel Crispin wrote:
:: I need some advice here.
::
:: I purchased by bike a month ago. I had to get my spokes re-tightened
:: (forget that word, my first language is French and I have no idea
:: for the correct english term) about a week ago. Today as I was
:: riding the bike started making the same racket noise that it did
:: before I had my wheels fixed.
::
:: One of the shop I went to told me that because I was heavy, my
:: wheels will need to be adjusted often. Also told me that my spokes
:: were low quality and that made it worth. He wanted to sell me a new
:: wheel for the back because that is where most of my weight is when I
:: ride. Said the rest of my wheel
:: is good quality but the spokes are not. I wanted to have the spokes
:: replaced but he said it would cost more than purchase a new wheel
:: entirelly...
::
:: Does this make any sense? He offered to sell me a Deore wheel with
:: Anodized spokes and dual walled frame. Pretty similar to what I
:: have except for the spokes. 100 CAN$.

06-09-2004, 02:11 PM

Well, I weigh 240 lbs and my bike is in the shop...

I've broken a spoke on the rear wheel twice. After the second one I rode
100 lbs before I found a loose spoke on the rear wheel. So now the bike
shop is rebuilding my rear wheel (which they should have done after the
first one since this is a new bike bought last fall). They've had my bike
since Monday, and I was supposed to pick it up today. I call them on the
way home to see if it is ready, but I find they don't have black spokes. I
don't want silver spokes as I may sell those wheels.

So, I'm going to have a custom set of wheels built (not by the bike shop).
I would do it myself but I'd lose too much time from riding while trying to
learn. I'll learn after I get riding again. I just wish I had my bike -- it
looks like I won't get to ride this weekend, either.

I must be free of the LBS for the mechanical needs of my bike.

Somehow, I don't think the problem is just the spokes, but I'm a noob, so
don't listen to me.

Daniel Crispin wrote:
:: I need some advice here.
::
:: I purchased by bike a month ago. I had to get my spokes re-tightened
:: (forget that word, my first language is French and I have no idea
:: for the correct english term) about a week ago. Today as I was
:: riding the bike started making the same racket noise that it did
:: before I had my wheels fixed.
::
:: One of the shop I went to told me that because I was heavy, my
:: wheels will need to be adjusted often. Also told me that my spokes
:: were low quality and that made it worth. He wanted to sell me a new
:: wheel for the back because that is where most of my weight is when I
:: ride. Said the rest of my wheel
:: is good quality but the spokes are not. I wanted to have the spokes
:: replaced but he said it would cost more than purchase a new wheel
:: entirelly...
::
:: Does this make any sense? He offered to sell me a Deore wheel with
:: Anodized spokes and dual walled frame. Pretty similar to what I
:: have except for the spokes. 100 CAN$.

06-09-2004, 02:11 PM

Well, I weigh 240 lbs and my bike is in the shop...

I've broken a spoke on the rear wheel twice. After the second one I rode
100 lbs before I found a loose spoke on the rear wheel. So now the bike
shop is rebuilding my rear wheel (which they should have done after the
first one since this is a new bike bought last fall). They've had my bike
since Monday, and I was supposed to pick it up today. I call them on the
way home to see if it is ready, but I find they don't have black spokes. I
don't want silver spokes as I may sell those wheels.

So, I'm going to have a custom set of wheels built (not by the bike shop).
I would do it myself but I'd lose too much time from riding while trying to
learn. I'll learn after I get riding again. I just wish I had my bike -- it
looks like I won't get to ride this weekend, either.

I must be free of the LBS for the mechanical needs of my bike.

Somehow, I don't think the problem is just the spokes, but I'm a noob, so
don't listen to me.

Daniel Crispin wrote:
:: I need some advice here.
::
:: I purchased by bike a month ago. I had to get my spokes re-tightened
:: (forget that word, my first language is French and I have no idea
:: for the correct english term) about a week ago. Today as I was
:: riding the bike started making the same racket noise that it did
:: before I had my wheels fixed.
::
:: One of the shop I went to told me that because I was heavy, my
:: wheels will need to be adjusted often. Also told me that my spokes
:: were low quality and that made it worth. He wanted to sell me a new
:: wheel for the back because that is where most of my weight is when I
:: ride. Said the rest of my wheel
:: is good quality but the spokes are not. I wanted to have the spokes
:: replaced but he said it would cost more than purchase a new wheel
:: entirelly...
::
:: Does this make any sense? He offered to sell me a Deore wheel with
:: Anodized spokes and dual walled frame. Pretty similar to what I
:: have except for the spokes. 100 CAN$.