Broken spokes on Rolf wheels

[Chris aka Killer]

I have a set of Rolf dolemites. In may I broke a spoke on the rear DS, then at my last lap at Comfort Sunday I broke a spoke on the rear NDS. I didn't take a hit either time, just a lot of torque.

There is a guy posting on TMBRA who has broken 4 spokes on the rear on his Rolf propels. http://www.tmbra.org/cgi-bin/ubbcgi/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=next_topic&f=3&t=000097&go=olde r

the wheel is 1-cross NDS and 2 cross DS 24 spokes. Too week for my 190 lb fat ass?

Any suggestions on what to do with these wheels?

My other wheelset is Mavic crosslink, rear is 28 spokes, radial nds and 2 cross ds.

[carlos]

chris, what kinda spoke on there? is it a DT Swiss? it should have DT stamped on the head. also, where are the spokes breaking?

there are many reasons a spoke can break. in the case of a wheel with very few spokes at high tension the most probable would be:

-tension was lost and there is movement between the innerelbow against the hub flange. the meatal heats up with each cycle and becomes brittle. POP!

-they may have used an inexpensive "no name" brand that cuts the threads instead of rolling them. this creates sharp angles at the anchor point (nipple/spoke) and can lead to premature failure.

-the diameter of the spoke is too small for the counterbore of the hole in the flange. movement results as described in the first example......POP!

-in many cases, the higher tension compensates for fewer spokes. these spokes are, in many cases, a stock spoke and in no way modified for the this type of wheel. the spoke reaches and exceeds its plasticity and snaps. with fewer spokes to share the load, the spoke design, shape, material and manufacturing proccess become critical.

[Chris aka Killer]

Is the D really square with a small T overlapped on the top of it?

The spokes broke really near the hub.

[carlos]

yeah, that's standard DT Aero spoke.

if its more than 5 mm from the elbow then its a problem with the spokes plasticity.

if its closer than 5mm then its a tension thing.


how's the tension currently?

[Chris aka Killer]

This ones pretty close to 5 mm to the hub.

Tension feels about the same as the other wheels, I guess?

[carlos]

i'm guessing its the tension. a standard 14g at 3 cross is usually in the 1000Nm (Newman meter) but the bladed are 1300-1600Nm.

tension was lost in that one spoke and caused the metal to turn brittle. if this is the case you might want to consider relacing the wheel with all new spokes as the others may be on their way out too.

how many miles have you put on them?

[Chris aka Killer]

Hmmm, I would think quite a few. Got em in FEB. 7 races since then and lots o' riding the last two months too.

Got 469 on the odometer since the end of may and I didn't have the computer on for quite a few long rides, including this weekend.

[carlos]

ok, if you want to do it right and give the wheel a second chance, i would say have the entire wheel relaced. new spokes and nipples. no real way of knowing which others might fail next so having the whole thing done is the best bet.

OR

consider a coventional wheel. 32 hole, three cross, light rim, quality hub........... its not gonna give you a mental competitive advantage over anyone/thing but reliability is an added bonus.

[Chris aka Killer]

Cool, thanks for the Advice. I think I'll relace it, then!

[carlos]

Bike World will be the best bet for the Aero spokes. figure about a week if they have to order them.

[aLaN]

Originally posted by carlos
i'm guessing its the tension. a standard 14g at 3 cross is usually in the 1000Nm (Newman meter) but the bladed are 1300-1600Nm.

Newman!

http://www.geocities.com/TelevisionC...280/newman.htm

Originally posted by carlos
consider a coventional wheel. 32 hole, three cross, light rim, quality hub

zzzzzzzzzz!

King, Bonty, 3 cross!

Or there's always Spinergy (CRaP!)

[Greg]

Here you go Chris:

Trek is now offering to replace the Rolf Propel tubeless wheelset with a new set of tubeless Bontrager. The LBS says it's really the new Propel built by Rolf, but now labeled by Bontrager. Of course, Trek owns both Rolf and Bonti.

Don't know if I'll keep them, or sell them and go for big boy wheels. They say these are tougher than the 2001 Rolf Propels, as they worked out a mfg flaw in the flanges on the DT Swiss rear hub that has been shearing the heads off the spokes on drive side and non-drive side indiscriminately.

MTB Reviews offer little guidance, as I don't know these guys, and most of 'em seem to be bike shop workers with an axe to grind (and discounts on fancy flyboy wheels).