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Hi all,
First a disclaimer: This relates to some FSA XC300 26" wheels, that have 24 spokes each. And I weight c100KG. So already, this isn't going to be an ideal combination and is likely to be prone to breakages. However, I have generally found these wheels to be reliable and fuss-free for the last c15 years, bar a total rebuild due to the original alloy nipples snapping.... Hmmm.....
Anyway, I snapped a driveside spoke on the back wheel the other day, going up a climb with some force. Managed to ride it home with the wobble no issue (even on 23 spokes). Assumed it had gone at the elbow and carried on.
However, on inspection the spoke snapped at the butting (where the spoke thickness changes about 2" from the hub). I've snapped spokes before and they've always gone at the elbow or at the thread, and never in the middle. Is this unusual or is it just "one of those things"?
Obviously the answer is to get some stronger wheels (or lose some weight!), however that costs a lot more (effort) than just chucking a spare spoke back in the existing set. Also, most decent aftermarket wheels seem to come with outrageously noisy freehubs (Looking at you Hope) that I personally cannot stand. These wheels are nice and quiet...
Advice, opinion and ridicule/abuse all welcome!
It's much less common because residual stresses at the elbow and nipple leave them susceptible to failure. Maybe if the spokes overall are well stress relieved the butt transition is the next most likely point? They've got to fail somewhere eventually.
I don't see any reason why you shouldn't replace it, stress relieve and carry on. If others are close to going they might fail during stress relief.
However, I have generally found these wheels to be reliable and fuss-free for the last c15 years, bar a total rebuild due to the original alloy nipples snapping…
How old are the current spokes?
Bigyan: Current spokes are "only" 3-4 years old, but not had much use in that time. The bike has had more use in the last 3-4 months than in the last 3-4 years! Or probably even longer....
And thanks alexnharvey, that's what I was hoping to hear!
Cheers,
Keith
I assumed the spokes were 15yrs old, my bad.
You might question whether they've had a reasonable life or if they're going early because the wheel is under built.
Only time I've had spokes break at that point is touring on a tandem, lost 4 out of a 48 spoke rear and put it down to spoke fatigue?
Cheap spokes with an abrupt butt profile?
I've had 'stick strike' caused a slack chain to just 'nick' the spoke. Thought everything was fine until spoke snapped weeks later.