Catastrophic wheel failure?

[BHOFM]

I had a catastrophic wheel failure last week, lost most of the spokes, some
at the hub, some the threads broke. Schwinn Avenue, 24 spoke aerodynamic
wheels. I had the wheels done when I got the bike in Oct. and checked at
about 500 miles because of some loose spokes. I checked them every
time I aired the tires, just spun the wheel and used a pop sickle stick to
listen for loose spokes. Two days before they were fine, I left the house
and got about a block and thought I had a low tire and when I slowed to
turn the wheel collapsed, damaging the rear derailleur and breaking both
brake arms.
I am about 220lbs and the bike is used on streets and paved trails and
treated for the most part very carefully.
Schwinn has no explanation, but was very willing to replace the bike. A bit
too willing maybe??
I returned the bike and got another Schwinn, Aluminum Comp, regular wheels
this time.

I had a sore toe, and some how managed to jam my thumb but it was very
minor.

I am posting this just to let you know what happened, not a rant, as it was
taken care of very quickly and everyone was very willing to do what needed
to be done.

I really think they just tried to make the bike too light? I really liked the bike,
it rode sweet. I had about 1700 miles on it.

The new bike is a lot lower geared, but OK for the way I ride, I use 21st gear
now and then, about 30, 35 mph.

 

[steve]

Originally Posted by BHOFM .

I had a catastrophic wheel failure last week.

I am posting this just to let you know what happened, not a rant, as it was
taken care of very quickly and everyone was very willing to do what needed
to be done.

Sorry to hear that mate, wheel failures have a habit of ending very badly. 220lbs shouldn't be to heavy for all but the lightest wheels.

 

[Scotttri]

Good to here you got off relatively lightly on the injury front and good to here the bike company looked after you

 

[BHOFM]

They were a little too good and too willing to take care of it, makes me think
they know they have a problem.

I wanted road tread tires and they said do what ever it takes. I had to return the
original tires and not ride the bike till I changed them, but that was fine with me.
The new bike only has about 100 miles but I am happy with it so far. It does not
have a place for a second water bottle, so I used the unused disc brake mount
to fab a bracket for the extra bottle and tire pump. Worked out well and cost
nothing but a little time. Might not work for some one riding off road, but for
me it is fine.

 

[steve]

Originally Posted by BHOFM .

Careful grabbing your bidon while you're riding, you could easily end up like me with a missing finger thanks to a bike wheel /img/vbsmilies/smilies/wink.gif

 

[BHOFM]

That's the spare, the main one is in the normal location. I always stop
to get a drink anyway. Not steady enough to do it riding.

Thanks for your concern..

 

[jpr95]

AASHTA. (As Always, Sheldon Has The Answer):

http://sheldonbrown.com/wheelbuild.html

Scroll down to the section titled, "How many spokes?"

If you're 220 lbs, 24 spokes is simply not enough.

Jason

 

[BHOFM]

Originally Posted by jpr95 .

AASHTA. (As Always, Sheldon Has The Answer):

http://sheldonbrown.com/wheelbuild.html

Scroll down to the section titled, "How many spokes?"

If you're 220 lbs, 24 spokes is simply not enough.

Jason

Schwinn rates the bike up to 250lbs, but I think there is a problem there...

Now I just need some decent weather!

 

[jpr95]

Besides, if you have $20M, you should be able to afford a few more spokes on your wheels!

Jason...waiting on better weather AND a new bike!

 

[BHOFM]

Originally Posted by jpr95 .

Besides, if you have $20M, you should be able to afford a few more spokes on your wheels!

Jason...waiting on better weather AND a new bike!

I am not spending money on what looks like an on going problem. Not
when I could get a new bike with the tires I wanted and regular wheels,
and a mountain bike that should hold up to a bit rougher use.

The damage was a lot more than a few spokes.

 

[jpr95]

Heh-heh. I meant that you could afford more than 24 spokes per wheel--as Sheldon Brown says in his article, fewer spokes has been marketed as "better", but the only ones its been better for is wheelbuilders and retailers.

Hope you find suitable bikes!

Jason

 

[davereo]

Thankfully your injury's are minor to what they could have been. I am surprised that Schwinn agreed or offered to replace the entire bike. One would only think that they would be obligated to replace the wheel and any damage resulting from the failure. I too would be suspious of thier motive.

 

[dhk2]

Originally Posted by BHOFM .



I am not spending money on what looks like an on going problem. Not
when I could get a new bike with the tires I wanted and regular wheels,
and a mountain bike that should hold up to a bit rougher use.

The damage was a lot more than a few spokes.

BHOFM, are you sure you want to risk injury again on another $200 Wal Mart bike? The ones I've tried to tune up for our local "Toys for Tots" over the years have all had poor quality wheels and brakes and drivetrains; certainly nothing I'd want to trust on any long or hilly ride with speed involved. They do look like amazing bargains from a distance, but when you get up close and try to adjust something, the lack of quality is obvious. Of course, that's not a surprise considering the retail price.

Believe it or not, the reason many of us here spend $2000 or more on bikes is for safety, reliability and durability, not snob appeal. EG, my wheelset cost around $300 back in late 2003. It's seen 28K miles under my 180-195 lbs and has never needed truing. Even if you're willing to put up with the poor shifting, braking and handling, not to mention being stranded on the road with a failure, I'll bet the cost-per-mile is no less than if you'd invest in a quality bike.

 

[BHOFM]

I just looked at the figures, total cost, I keep close count of everything I spend.
Having gotten my hands on some older bikes, fixing them up and selling them,
I can do everything but wheel truing, I am about $20 ahead and just over 10k miles
of riding. Of the three new bikes, all Wal Mart, The wheel is the only problem I have
had.

I still have two of the bikes I fixed up. I plan on keeping them as of now.

One is a 1975 Spalding All Terrain Bike, $10 salvation army store, and
one sweet ride. For the most part, my bike of choice.. I have ridden it
about a thousand miles so far.