Breaking spokes too often... What to do?

[AmpedCycle]

I currently have Alexrims AT400's on a 2005 specialized allez sport and I've broken way too many spokes (4 in the back, 2 in the front) in the last 7 months. Anyone know if this is a common problem on these wheels? I ride pretty fast, don't weigh more than 160 lbs, and try to avoid bumps and potholes (although sometimes they are unavoidable). I'm waiting for a call back from my specialized dealer right now, who said he'd talk to the rep. I'm thinking they won't replace my wheelset. What to do?

[Hooben]

Okay, lets see...how many miles do you have on these rims and how often do you get them trued? In the span of 7 months, I will ride my bike over 1000 miles and will need to get my wheels trued like once a month or every two months. Once the wheels develop a little wobble, then I have set myself up for a broken spoke due to the stress on one side of the rim. This is the case, especially for the new lightweight wheels with aero spokes, that are being used to train on. If your wheels are radial laced on the front and 28 spokes in the rear, then you qualify as light weight. These wheels need much more attention then regular "stock" wheels do. Good luck to you, and I hope that they will replace your wheels, or resolve the problem.

[daveornee]

I currently have Alexrims AT400's on a 2005 specialized allez sport and I've broken way too many spokes (4 in the back, 2 in the front) in the last 7 months. Anyone know if this is a common problem on these wheels? I ride pretty fast, don't weigh more than 160 lbs, and try to avoid bumps and potholes (although sometimes they are unavoidable). I'm waiting for a call back from my specialized dealer right now, who said he'd talk to the rep. I'm thinking they won't replace my wheelset. What to do?

Spoking pattern?
Number of spokes per wheel?
Brand of spokes?
Tension balance/spoke aligned/stress relieved?
There are lots of choices out there. Marketing and Cost cutters often control too much.
Unless you rims are damaged, your spokes shouldn't be breaking at your weight and milage.

[dhk]

Okay, lets see...how many miles do you have on these rims and how often do you get them trued? In the span of 7 months, I will ride my bike over 1000 miles and will need to get my wheels trued like once a month or every two months. Once the wheels develop a little wobble, then I have set myself up for a broken spoke due to the stress on one side of the rim. This is the case, especially for the new lightweight wheels with aero spokes, that are being used to train on. If your wheels are radial laced on the front and 28 spokes in the rear, then you qualify as light weight. These wheels need much more attention then regular "stock" wheels do. Good luck to you, and I hope that they will replace your wheels, or resolve the problem.
My experience is that wheels shouldn't need truing after a few hundred miles. My current set is still running true at 5600 miles and hasn't been touched. They have radial-laced fronts, 24 spokes also.

Suggest you buy a good wheelset and save yourself a lot of time and expense. Why mess around like this?

[dhk]

Spoking pattern?
Number of spokes per wheel?
Brand of spokes?
Tension balance/spoke aligned/stress relieved?
There are lots of choices out there. Marketing and Cost cutters often control too much.
Unless you rims are damaged, your spokes shouldn't be breaking at your weight and milage.

It's surprising how many mid-priced bikes come handicapped with cheap, low-quality wheelsets. The marketers must assume that buyers will focus on the 105 vs Ultegra components, or the frame alloy, or advertized weight, rather than the really important part of the bike.