Loose spokes after only a few rides












14















I have recently joined the cycling world after committing to losing weight. I am a heavy rider at about 28st (390 lbs) and have after some advice gone for a GT Avalanche. I have had the bike less than a month and only have around 15 miles on the bike.



I use the bike to travel to work which varies from light off road to road.



I was riding back from work and realised that the wheel had started to buckle. Upon getting home I have noticed that some of the spokes were loose. Is this normal and if not is it due to the weight the bike is being asked to carry? Will a home fix be enough to mend the issue?



Update:



I have contacted the seller who has advised me to get booked for their free 6 week service where they can service the bike and they can also true the wheels.



The question I have now is until I am able to get the bike serviced am I able as a temporary measure able to fix this at home and use it as I use the bike for getting to and from work?










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  • 4





    Do you carry a backpack or any other items which can be left out? Your wheel is probably not rated for the requirements, so its failing slowly. On the other hand - you're doing the right thing with your commitments, which will help. Persevere with riding, don't let this put you off.

    – Criggie
    2 days ago






  • 3





    Note that it's common (depending on manufacturing methods) for spokes to loosen as the wheel "breaks in". Your weight is forcing this to happen over a period of 15 miles instead of 500, but the loosening, in itself, is not unusual. You need to get the spokes re-tightened and the wheel realigned and see if that fixes things for you, at least for the short-term. Long-term, you may need a new wheel.

    – Daniel R Hicks
    2 days ago






  • 10





    I never stop to be impressed how the imperial system is overly complex for nothing. Thank you for introducing me to yet another weight unit.

    – Puck
    2 days ago






  • 5





    Bravo on your commitment to losing weight John! Chapeau.

    – Daniel Shillcock
    2 days ago






  • 8





    @DanielRHicks In this particular case one might recommend at least 36-spoke wheels built with tandem-grade spokes, rims and hubs. Tandems or even triples have to cope with heavier loads than 390lbs.

    – Carel
    2 days ago


















14















I have recently joined the cycling world after committing to losing weight. I am a heavy rider at about 28st (390 lbs) and have after some advice gone for a GT Avalanche. I have had the bike less than a month and only have around 15 miles on the bike.



I use the bike to travel to work which varies from light off road to road.



I was riding back from work and realised that the wheel had started to buckle. Upon getting home I have noticed that some of the spokes were loose. Is this normal and if not is it due to the weight the bike is being asked to carry? Will a home fix be enough to mend the issue?



Update:



I have contacted the seller who has advised me to get booked for their free 6 week service where they can service the bike and they can also true the wheels.



The question I have now is until I am able to get the bike serviced am I able as a temporary measure able to fix this at home and use it as I use the bike for getting to and from work?










share|improve this question









New contributor




John is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
















  • 4





    Do you carry a backpack or any other items which can be left out? Your wheel is probably not rated for the requirements, so its failing slowly. On the other hand - you're doing the right thing with your commitments, which will help. Persevere with riding, don't let this put you off.

    – Criggie
    2 days ago






  • 3





    Note that it's common (depending on manufacturing methods) for spokes to loosen as the wheel "breaks in". Your weight is forcing this to happen over a period of 15 miles instead of 500, but the loosening, in itself, is not unusual. You need to get the spokes re-tightened and the wheel realigned and see if that fixes things for you, at least for the short-term. Long-term, you may need a new wheel.

    – Daniel R Hicks
    2 days ago






  • 10





    I never stop to be impressed how the imperial system is overly complex for nothing. Thank you for introducing me to yet another weight unit.

    – Puck
    2 days ago






  • 5





    Bravo on your commitment to losing weight John! Chapeau.

    – Daniel Shillcock
    2 days ago






  • 8





    @DanielRHicks In this particular case one might recommend at least 36-spoke wheels built with tandem-grade spokes, rims and hubs. Tandems or even triples have to cope with heavier loads than 390lbs.

    – Carel
    2 days ago
















14












14








14


1






I have recently joined the cycling world after committing to losing weight. I am a heavy rider at about 28st (390 lbs) and have after some advice gone for a GT Avalanche. I have had the bike less than a month and only have around 15 miles on the bike.



I use the bike to travel to work which varies from light off road to road.



I was riding back from work and realised that the wheel had started to buckle. Upon getting home I have noticed that some of the spokes were loose. Is this normal and if not is it due to the weight the bike is being asked to carry? Will a home fix be enough to mend the issue?



Update:



I have contacted the seller who has advised me to get booked for their free 6 week service where they can service the bike and they can also true the wheels.



The question I have now is until I am able to get the bike serviced am I able as a temporary measure able to fix this at home and use it as I use the bike for getting to and from work?










share|improve this question









New contributor




John is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.












I have recently joined the cycling world after committing to losing weight. I am a heavy rider at about 28st (390 lbs) and have after some advice gone for a GT Avalanche. I have had the bike less than a month and only have around 15 miles on the bike.



I use the bike to travel to work which varies from light off road to road.



I was riding back from work and realised that the wheel had started to buckle. Upon getting home I have noticed that some of the spokes were loose. Is this normal and if not is it due to the weight the bike is being asked to carry? Will a home fix be enough to mend the issue?



Update:



I have contacted the seller who has advised me to get booked for their free 6 week service where they can service the bike and they can also true the wheels.



The question I have now is until I am able to get the bike serviced am I able as a temporary measure able to fix this at home and use it as I use the bike for getting to and from work?







mountain-bike spokes mechanical heavy






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edited 2 days ago









Argenti Apparatus

37.8k23994




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asked 2 days ago









JohnJohn

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  • 4





    Do you carry a backpack or any other items which can be left out? Your wheel is probably not rated for the requirements, so its failing slowly. On the other hand - you're doing the right thing with your commitments, which will help. Persevere with riding, don't let this put you off.

    – Criggie
    2 days ago






  • 3





    Note that it's common (depending on manufacturing methods) for spokes to loosen as the wheel "breaks in". Your weight is forcing this to happen over a period of 15 miles instead of 500, but the loosening, in itself, is not unusual. You need to get the spokes re-tightened and the wheel realigned and see if that fixes things for you, at least for the short-term. Long-term, you may need a new wheel.

    – Daniel R Hicks
    2 days ago






  • 10





    I never stop to be impressed how the imperial system is overly complex for nothing. Thank you for introducing me to yet another weight unit.

    – Puck
    2 days ago






  • 5





    Bravo on your commitment to losing weight John! Chapeau.

    – Daniel Shillcock
    2 days ago






  • 8





    @DanielRHicks In this particular case one might recommend at least 36-spoke wheels built with tandem-grade spokes, rims and hubs. Tandems or even triples have to cope with heavier loads than 390lbs.

    – Carel
    2 days ago
















  • 4





    Do you carry a backpack or any other items which can be left out? Your wheel is probably not rated for the requirements, so its failing slowly. On the other hand - you're doing the right thing with your commitments, which will help. Persevere with riding, don't let this put you off.

    – Criggie
    2 days ago






  • 3





    Note that it's common (depending on manufacturing methods) for spokes to loosen as the wheel "breaks in". Your weight is forcing this to happen over a period of 15 miles instead of 500, but the loosening, in itself, is not unusual. You need to get the spokes re-tightened and the wheel realigned and see if that fixes things for you, at least for the short-term. Long-term, you may need a new wheel.

    – Daniel R Hicks
    2 days ago






  • 10





    I never stop to be impressed how the imperial system is overly complex for nothing. Thank you for introducing me to yet another weight unit.

    – Puck
    2 days ago






  • 5





    Bravo on your commitment to losing weight John! Chapeau.

    – Daniel Shillcock
    2 days ago






  • 8





    @DanielRHicks In this particular case one might recommend at least 36-spoke wheels built with tandem-grade spokes, rims and hubs. Tandems or even triples have to cope with heavier loads than 390lbs.

    – Carel
    2 days ago










4




4





Do you carry a backpack or any other items which can be left out? Your wheel is probably not rated for the requirements, so its failing slowly. On the other hand - you're doing the right thing with your commitments, which will help. Persevere with riding, don't let this put you off.

– Criggie
2 days ago





Do you carry a backpack or any other items which can be left out? Your wheel is probably not rated for the requirements, so its failing slowly. On the other hand - you're doing the right thing with your commitments, which will help. Persevere with riding, don't let this put you off.

– Criggie
2 days ago




3




3





Note that it's common (depending on manufacturing methods) for spokes to loosen as the wheel "breaks in". Your weight is forcing this to happen over a period of 15 miles instead of 500, but the loosening, in itself, is not unusual. You need to get the spokes re-tightened and the wheel realigned and see if that fixes things for you, at least for the short-term. Long-term, you may need a new wheel.

– Daniel R Hicks
2 days ago





Note that it's common (depending on manufacturing methods) for spokes to loosen as the wheel "breaks in". Your weight is forcing this to happen over a period of 15 miles instead of 500, but the loosening, in itself, is not unusual. You need to get the spokes re-tightened and the wheel realigned and see if that fixes things for you, at least for the short-term. Long-term, you may need a new wheel.

– Daniel R Hicks
2 days ago




10




10





I never stop to be impressed how the imperial system is overly complex for nothing. Thank you for introducing me to yet another weight unit.

– Puck
2 days ago





I never stop to be impressed how the imperial system is overly complex for nothing. Thank you for introducing me to yet another weight unit.

– Puck
2 days ago




5




5





Bravo on your commitment to losing weight John! Chapeau.

– Daniel Shillcock
2 days ago





Bravo on your commitment to losing weight John! Chapeau.

– Daniel Shillcock
2 days ago




8




8





@DanielRHicks In this particular case one might recommend at least 36-spoke wheels built with tandem-grade spokes, rims and hubs. Tandems or even triples have to cope with heavier loads than 390lbs.

– Carel
2 days ago







@DanielRHicks In this particular case one might recommend at least 36-spoke wheels built with tandem-grade spokes, rims and hubs. Tandems or even triples have to cope with heavier loads than 390lbs.

– Carel
2 days ago












8 Answers
8






active

oldest

votes


















25














Unfortunately, most bikes are only rated to 300lbs or less. However, if this is a new bike, you should take it back to the shop and get them to fix it. They can't claim they didn't know you were a heavy rider when they sold you the bike.



You might need to get more substantial wheels with more spokes. Wheels designed for touring bikes might be more appropriate. Also, when riding, you need to be careful to avoid potholes and other bumps in the road and don't go up and down kerbs. If you can't avoid a bump, lift your weight off the saddle so your legs and arms are acting as suspension – this applies to riders of any weight and it's more comfortable for you as well as the bike!






share|improve this answer
























  • You have a good point, would it not be worth trying to tighten or make sure they are tight before every journey or would this not have much of an impact?

    – John
    2 days ago






  • 1





    I don't know a huge amount about wheels, to be honest. But having to tighten spokes regularly indicates that there's a deeper underlying problem. Hopefully somebody with more direct knowledge will chime in

    – David Richerby
    2 days ago











  • Usually you’ll notice loose spokes because the wheel goes out of true. With rim brakes this is very noticeable because the rim will rub against the brakes.

    – Michael
    2 days ago








  • 3





    Needing some spoke adjustment after initial usage is fairly typical of machine-built wheels. One of the steps of hand building a wheel is to relieve some of the initial stress before final truing, making subsequent adjustment less necessary. If instead that stress relief happens on the road, then the wheel needs truing again after. The asker's situation may well have gone beyond this, but it may not have - it is hard to tell from words alone. Getting it looked at is indeed the start of what needs to happen.

    – Chris Stratton
    2 days ago













  • Thanks, @ChrisStratton and welcome to the site!

    – David Richerby
    yesterday



















10














I completely agree with the accepted answer of @David Richerby from personal experience.



As a heavier rider (~22 stone) for many years, I also found with a couple of different bicycles that the rear wheel tended to come out of true, especially when hitting bumps and potholes.



My solution was to replace the rear wheel with a touring wheel with more spokes, and I can ride over speed bumps etc. with less worry, although I do ride them standing on the pedals to reduce the force through the seatpost.



I also learned how to true a wheel reasonably, and to keep it trued and correctly tensioned, because shocks have less effect on a properly balanced wheel. It needs mostly patience and care, and something simple to act as a reference marker.






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  • 1





    And I agree with your answer. 😀 Welcome to the site!

    – David Richerby
    2 days ago











  • What an elder long-gone fellow rider used to call 'dynamic' seating, filtering the bumps with the legs!

    – Carel
    yesterday



















8














Spokes getting loose is not a laughing matter. The more spokes get loose or break, the more uneven the load is distributed to the spokes, and the more likely other spokes are to get loose or break. Accumulate enough failed spokes, and your wheel fails. And failed spokes after only 24km means that something is very wrong with the wheel's built.



As such, your wheel definitely needs to be rebuilt immediately.



When the wheel is rebuilt, it needs to be rebuilt such that no spoke can ever loose tension when you use it. Most importantly, that means that the spokes must have even tension, but also that their tension must be high enough. I'd recommend giving the wheel to a professional builder, and to tell them that the wheel is supposed to carry you. Hopefully, they'll be able to produce a built of high enough quality to avoid repetition of the failure.



What you can do to reduce the likelihood of failure, is to avoid accelerating too hard: The force you can put on the chain is much higher than the force a 70kg person can put on the chain. And that force on the chain is directly proportional to the torque that your spokes need to deliver to the rim. If you put your bike in first gear and then stand on your pedal to accelerate, you'll pretty much kill any rear wheel. Just try to take acceleration a bit more slowly until you have lost weight.






share|improve this answer



















  • 3





    "If you put your bike in first gear and then stand on your pedal to accelerate, you'll pretty much kill any rear wheel." - over-egging the pudding here??

    – Lamar Latrell
    2 days ago






  • 2





    @LamarLatrell I know how I used to kill spokes until I learned to build my wheels with near perfect even tension, and the OP is a lot heavier than I ever was. If you assume that the chain-wheel radius is half the length of the crank, that's 353kg of tension on the chain. Multiply with a sprocket radius of 10cm, and you get 347Nm torque on the wheel. Assume 36 spokes at a 10% angle and an inner rim radius of 30cm, and you arrive at a dynamic load of about 320N per spoke (about 32kg). For the unloaded spokes to retain 60N tension, the loaded spokes must endure 700N. Much more for a dished wheel.

    – cmaster
    2 days ago











  • Circumference of a 10cm radius rear cog = 2π100 = 628mm. 628/12.7mm = 49 tooth cog....

    – Lamar Latrell
    2 days ago






  • 1





    An explanation for the downvotes would be nice...

    – cmaster
    2 days ago






  • 2





    "And failed spokes after only 24km means that something is very wrong with the wheel's built." - Nothing is very wrong on a BSO wheel build with a 400 pound rider. It's amazing it even made it 24m let alone 24km. This is well beyond any BSO. This needs huge spoke count wheels built.

    – sjakubowski
    yesterday





















6














For your weight, you either need to find reliable wheel builder who will make wheels for you, or you need to become one. Possibly both in that order.



Wheel will be most important part of your bicycle and you should strive to put best components in it, and be sure it is built with your weight in mind.



Unwinding of spokes is almost certainly result of not enough of tension on them for your weight. To be able to put enough tension, you need as many spokes as you can, and very strong rim. It should have no less than 36 spokes, heavy duty rim like rigida sputnik or andre, and double butted spokes.






share|improve this answer































    5














    It is possible to re-tension loose spokes at home, using a spoke key and the frame of the bicycle as a truing stand. In your case I would not do so.



    If the wheel started to fail so quickly from new, I think it would fail again even faster with a home repair. In the worse case the wheel could fail catastrophically injuring you and damaging the bike. In the best case you get stranded.



    When you take the bike in for service, the repair shop will hopefully be able to re-build the wheel. They may be able to build it to a higher strength than it was originally by increasing the spoke tension, but it may fail again of course. If the wheel can't be re-built or fails again, you can consider getting a stronger replacement wheel with a higher spoke count and heavier gauge spokes.






    share|improve this answer































      3














      Loose spokes and buckling wheels on a new bike are definitely not normal.



      That could be incorrect assembly but may also be a result of the weight of the rider and not getting the right advice:



      The design specifications in the GT tech manual book list "330 lbs / 150 kg" as the maximum weight limit for that model. Although not explicitly mentioned for the Avalanche I assume that is the limit for the combined weight of the rider and all gear.






      share|improve this answer








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      • Okay, initially would a home fix work or would i need to get it looked at?

        – John
        2 days ago






      • 1





        On a brand new bike I would expect a reputable seller to take responsibility for this and sort it out for you.

        – HBruijn
        2 days ago











      • I agree and i am in the process of getting them to sort it however i need to be able to ride the bike in the meantime as it's used for commuting to work

        – John
        2 days ago






      • 2





        I wouldn't bother with a home fix. It's dangerous if you don't know what you are doing and won't really help. Take the bike back to the shop asap! Ask them to help you straight away. It sucks not being to able to ride your new bike.

        – user2705196
        2 days ago











      • Buckling is not normal, but some loosening of spokes is, because machine built wheels end up with residual stresses that work themselves out in initial usage, leaving uneven tension. That's part of why you get that initial tune up.

        – Chris Stratton
        2 days ago





















      2














      I would suggest that if visited the shop and they helped you choose the bike then they should exchange the bike for something more appropriate.
      Clearly the bike is not suitable otherwise the issue you raised would not have occurred.






      share|improve this answer










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        1















        Upon getting home I have noticed that some of the spokes were loose. Is this normal and if not is it due to the weight the bike is being asked to carry? Will a home fix be enough to mend the issue?




        In my experience, loose spokes are not typical but can happen. Any decent bump (especially for a big guy like I am) can remove pressure from a spoke and if it is twisted, it will unscrew a bit. But twisted spokes imply that the wheel was not built properly.



        When building a wheel, I was taught to over-tighten the spokes and then back them off specifically to reduce spoke twisting. You want the spokes to be under tension but not twisted. See this answer for more details: https://bicycles.stackexchange.com/a/29696. I also was trained to grab the parallel spokes and squeeze them to help untwist the spokes while truing a tire. This page explains the squeezing well.



        I also know some wheel builders who use Loctite solution on the spokes to hold them better although I've never found this to be necessary.






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          8 Answers
          8






          active

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          8 Answers
          8






          active

          oldest

          votes









          active

          oldest

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          active

          oldest

          votes









          25














          Unfortunately, most bikes are only rated to 300lbs or less. However, if this is a new bike, you should take it back to the shop and get them to fix it. They can't claim they didn't know you were a heavy rider when they sold you the bike.



          You might need to get more substantial wheels with more spokes. Wheels designed for touring bikes might be more appropriate. Also, when riding, you need to be careful to avoid potholes and other bumps in the road and don't go up and down kerbs. If you can't avoid a bump, lift your weight off the saddle so your legs and arms are acting as suspension – this applies to riders of any weight and it's more comfortable for you as well as the bike!






          share|improve this answer
























          • You have a good point, would it not be worth trying to tighten or make sure they are tight before every journey or would this not have much of an impact?

            – John
            2 days ago






          • 1





            I don't know a huge amount about wheels, to be honest. But having to tighten spokes regularly indicates that there's a deeper underlying problem. Hopefully somebody with more direct knowledge will chime in

            – David Richerby
            2 days ago











          • Usually you’ll notice loose spokes because the wheel goes out of true. With rim brakes this is very noticeable because the rim will rub against the brakes.

            – Michael
            2 days ago








          • 3





            Needing some spoke adjustment after initial usage is fairly typical of machine-built wheels. One of the steps of hand building a wheel is to relieve some of the initial stress before final truing, making subsequent adjustment less necessary. If instead that stress relief happens on the road, then the wheel needs truing again after. The asker's situation may well have gone beyond this, but it may not have - it is hard to tell from words alone. Getting it looked at is indeed the start of what needs to happen.

            – Chris Stratton
            2 days ago













          • Thanks, @ChrisStratton and welcome to the site!

            – David Richerby
            yesterday
















          25














          Unfortunately, most bikes are only rated to 300lbs or less. However, if this is a new bike, you should take it back to the shop and get them to fix it. They can't claim they didn't know you were a heavy rider when they sold you the bike.



          You might need to get more substantial wheels with more spokes. Wheels designed for touring bikes might be more appropriate. Also, when riding, you need to be careful to avoid potholes and other bumps in the road and don't go up and down kerbs. If you can't avoid a bump, lift your weight off the saddle so your legs and arms are acting as suspension – this applies to riders of any weight and it's more comfortable for you as well as the bike!






          share|improve this answer
























          • You have a good point, would it not be worth trying to tighten or make sure they are tight before every journey or would this not have much of an impact?

            – John
            2 days ago






          • 1





            I don't know a huge amount about wheels, to be honest. But having to tighten spokes regularly indicates that there's a deeper underlying problem. Hopefully somebody with more direct knowledge will chime in

            – David Richerby
            2 days ago











          • Usually you’ll notice loose spokes because the wheel goes out of true. With rim brakes this is very noticeable because the rim will rub against the brakes.

            – Michael
            2 days ago








          • 3





            Needing some spoke adjustment after initial usage is fairly typical of machine-built wheels. One of the steps of hand building a wheel is to relieve some of the initial stress before final truing, making subsequent adjustment less necessary. If instead that stress relief happens on the road, then the wheel needs truing again after. The asker's situation may well have gone beyond this, but it may not have - it is hard to tell from words alone. Getting it looked at is indeed the start of what needs to happen.

            – Chris Stratton
            2 days ago













          • Thanks, @ChrisStratton and welcome to the site!

            – David Richerby
            yesterday














          25












          25








          25







          Unfortunately, most bikes are only rated to 300lbs or less. However, if this is a new bike, you should take it back to the shop and get them to fix it. They can't claim they didn't know you were a heavy rider when they sold you the bike.



          You might need to get more substantial wheels with more spokes. Wheels designed for touring bikes might be more appropriate. Also, when riding, you need to be careful to avoid potholes and other bumps in the road and don't go up and down kerbs. If you can't avoid a bump, lift your weight off the saddle so your legs and arms are acting as suspension – this applies to riders of any weight and it's more comfortable for you as well as the bike!






          share|improve this answer













          Unfortunately, most bikes are only rated to 300lbs or less. However, if this is a new bike, you should take it back to the shop and get them to fix it. They can't claim they didn't know you were a heavy rider when they sold you the bike.



          You might need to get more substantial wheels with more spokes. Wheels designed for touring bikes might be more appropriate. Also, when riding, you need to be careful to avoid potholes and other bumps in the road and don't go up and down kerbs. If you can't avoid a bump, lift your weight off the saddle so your legs and arms are acting as suspension – this applies to riders of any weight and it's more comfortable for you as well as the bike!







          share|improve this answer












          share|improve this answer



          share|improve this answer










          answered 2 days ago









          David RicherbyDavid Richerby

          14.1k33969




          14.1k33969













          • You have a good point, would it not be worth trying to tighten or make sure they are tight before every journey or would this not have much of an impact?

            – John
            2 days ago






          • 1





            I don't know a huge amount about wheels, to be honest. But having to tighten spokes regularly indicates that there's a deeper underlying problem. Hopefully somebody with more direct knowledge will chime in

            – David Richerby
            2 days ago











          • Usually you’ll notice loose spokes because the wheel goes out of true. With rim brakes this is very noticeable because the rim will rub against the brakes.

            – Michael
            2 days ago








          • 3





            Needing some spoke adjustment after initial usage is fairly typical of machine-built wheels. One of the steps of hand building a wheel is to relieve some of the initial stress before final truing, making subsequent adjustment less necessary. If instead that stress relief happens on the road, then the wheel needs truing again after. The asker's situation may well have gone beyond this, but it may not have - it is hard to tell from words alone. Getting it looked at is indeed the start of what needs to happen.

            – Chris Stratton
            2 days ago













          • Thanks, @ChrisStratton and welcome to the site!

            – David Richerby
            yesterday



















          • You have a good point, would it not be worth trying to tighten or make sure they are tight before every journey or would this not have much of an impact?

            – John
            2 days ago






          • 1





            I don't know a huge amount about wheels, to be honest. But having to tighten spokes regularly indicates that there's a deeper underlying problem. Hopefully somebody with more direct knowledge will chime in

            – David Richerby
            2 days ago











          • Usually you’ll notice loose spokes because the wheel goes out of true. With rim brakes this is very noticeable because the rim will rub against the brakes.

            – Michael
            2 days ago








          • 3





            Needing some spoke adjustment after initial usage is fairly typical of machine-built wheels. One of the steps of hand building a wheel is to relieve some of the initial stress before final truing, making subsequent adjustment less necessary. If instead that stress relief happens on the road, then the wheel needs truing again after. The asker's situation may well have gone beyond this, but it may not have - it is hard to tell from words alone. Getting it looked at is indeed the start of what needs to happen.

            – Chris Stratton
            2 days ago













          • Thanks, @ChrisStratton and welcome to the site!

            – David Richerby
            yesterday

















          You have a good point, would it not be worth trying to tighten or make sure they are tight before every journey or would this not have much of an impact?

          – John
          2 days ago





          You have a good point, would it not be worth trying to tighten or make sure they are tight before every journey or would this not have much of an impact?

          – John
          2 days ago




          1




          1





          I don't know a huge amount about wheels, to be honest. But having to tighten spokes regularly indicates that there's a deeper underlying problem. Hopefully somebody with more direct knowledge will chime in

          – David Richerby
          2 days ago





          I don't know a huge amount about wheels, to be honest. But having to tighten spokes regularly indicates that there's a deeper underlying problem. Hopefully somebody with more direct knowledge will chime in

          – David Richerby
          2 days ago













          Usually you’ll notice loose spokes because the wheel goes out of true. With rim brakes this is very noticeable because the rim will rub against the brakes.

          – Michael
          2 days ago







          Usually you’ll notice loose spokes because the wheel goes out of true. With rim brakes this is very noticeable because the rim will rub against the brakes.

          – Michael
          2 days ago






          3




          3





          Needing some spoke adjustment after initial usage is fairly typical of machine-built wheels. One of the steps of hand building a wheel is to relieve some of the initial stress before final truing, making subsequent adjustment less necessary. If instead that stress relief happens on the road, then the wheel needs truing again after. The asker's situation may well have gone beyond this, but it may not have - it is hard to tell from words alone. Getting it looked at is indeed the start of what needs to happen.

          – Chris Stratton
          2 days ago







          Needing some spoke adjustment after initial usage is fairly typical of machine-built wheels. One of the steps of hand building a wheel is to relieve some of the initial stress before final truing, making subsequent adjustment less necessary. If instead that stress relief happens on the road, then the wheel needs truing again after. The asker's situation may well have gone beyond this, but it may not have - it is hard to tell from words alone. Getting it looked at is indeed the start of what needs to happen.

          – Chris Stratton
          2 days ago















          Thanks, @ChrisStratton and welcome to the site!

          – David Richerby
          yesterday





          Thanks, @ChrisStratton and welcome to the site!

          – David Richerby
          yesterday











          10














          I completely agree with the accepted answer of @David Richerby from personal experience.



          As a heavier rider (~22 stone) for many years, I also found with a couple of different bicycles that the rear wheel tended to come out of true, especially when hitting bumps and potholes.



          My solution was to replace the rear wheel with a touring wheel with more spokes, and I can ride over speed bumps etc. with less worry, although I do ride them standing on the pedals to reduce the force through the seatpost.



          I also learned how to true a wheel reasonably, and to keep it trued and correctly tensioned, because shocks have less effect on a properly balanced wheel. It needs mostly patience and care, and something simple to act as a reference marker.






          share|improve this answer








          New contributor




          Captain Lepton is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
          Check out our Code of Conduct.
















          • 1





            And I agree with your answer. 😀 Welcome to the site!

            – David Richerby
            2 days ago











          • What an elder long-gone fellow rider used to call 'dynamic' seating, filtering the bumps with the legs!

            – Carel
            yesterday
















          10














          I completely agree with the accepted answer of @David Richerby from personal experience.



          As a heavier rider (~22 stone) for many years, I also found with a couple of different bicycles that the rear wheel tended to come out of true, especially when hitting bumps and potholes.



          My solution was to replace the rear wheel with a touring wheel with more spokes, and I can ride over speed bumps etc. with less worry, although I do ride them standing on the pedals to reduce the force through the seatpost.



          I also learned how to true a wheel reasonably, and to keep it trued and correctly tensioned, because shocks have less effect on a properly balanced wheel. It needs mostly patience and care, and something simple to act as a reference marker.






          share|improve this answer








          New contributor




          Captain Lepton is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
          Check out our Code of Conduct.
















          • 1





            And I agree with your answer. 😀 Welcome to the site!

            – David Richerby
            2 days ago











          • What an elder long-gone fellow rider used to call 'dynamic' seating, filtering the bumps with the legs!

            – Carel
            yesterday














          10












          10








          10







          I completely agree with the accepted answer of @David Richerby from personal experience.



          As a heavier rider (~22 stone) for many years, I also found with a couple of different bicycles that the rear wheel tended to come out of true, especially when hitting bumps and potholes.



          My solution was to replace the rear wheel with a touring wheel with more spokes, and I can ride over speed bumps etc. with less worry, although I do ride them standing on the pedals to reduce the force through the seatpost.



          I also learned how to true a wheel reasonably, and to keep it trued and correctly tensioned, because shocks have less effect on a properly balanced wheel. It needs mostly patience and care, and something simple to act as a reference marker.






          share|improve this answer








          New contributor




          Captain Lepton is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
          Check out our Code of Conduct.










          I completely agree with the accepted answer of @David Richerby from personal experience.



          As a heavier rider (~22 stone) for many years, I also found with a couple of different bicycles that the rear wheel tended to come out of true, especially when hitting bumps and potholes.



          My solution was to replace the rear wheel with a touring wheel with more spokes, and I can ride over speed bumps etc. with less worry, although I do ride them standing on the pedals to reduce the force through the seatpost.



          I also learned how to true a wheel reasonably, and to keep it trued and correctly tensioned, because shocks have less effect on a properly balanced wheel. It needs mostly patience and care, and something simple to act as a reference marker.







          share|improve this answer








          New contributor




          Captain Lepton is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
          Check out our Code of Conduct.









          share|improve this answer



          share|improve this answer






          New contributor




          Captain Lepton is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
          Check out our Code of Conduct.









          answered 2 days ago









          Captain LeptonCaptain Lepton

          20114




          20114




          New contributor




          Captain Lepton is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
          Check out our Code of Conduct.





          New contributor





          Captain Lepton is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
          Check out our Code of Conduct.






          Captain Lepton is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
          Check out our Code of Conduct.








          • 1





            And I agree with your answer. 😀 Welcome to the site!

            – David Richerby
            2 days ago











          • What an elder long-gone fellow rider used to call 'dynamic' seating, filtering the bumps with the legs!

            – Carel
            yesterday














          • 1





            And I agree with your answer. 😀 Welcome to the site!

            – David Richerby
            2 days ago











          • What an elder long-gone fellow rider used to call 'dynamic' seating, filtering the bumps with the legs!

            – Carel
            yesterday








          1




          1





          And I agree with your answer. 😀 Welcome to the site!

          – David Richerby
          2 days ago





          And I agree with your answer. 😀 Welcome to the site!

          – David Richerby
          2 days ago













          What an elder long-gone fellow rider used to call 'dynamic' seating, filtering the bumps with the legs!

          – Carel
          yesterday





          What an elder long-gone fellow rider used to call 'dynamic' seating, filtering the bumps with the legs!

          – Carel
          yesterday











          8














          Spokes getting loose is not a laughing matter. The more spokes get loose or break, the more uneven the load is distributed to the spokes, and the more likely other spokes are to get loose or break. Accumulate enough failed spokes, and your wheel fails. And failed spokes after only 24km means that something is very wrong with the wheel's built.



          As such, your wheel definitely needs to be rebuilt immediately.



          When the wheel is rebuilt, it needs to be rebuilt such that no spoke can ever loose tension when you use it. Most importantly, that means that the spokes must have even tension, but also that their tension must be high enough. I'd recommend giving the wheel to a professional builder, and to tell them that the wheel is supposed to carry you. Hopefully, they'll be able to produce a built of high enough quality to avoid repetition of the failure.



          What you can do to reduce the likelihood of failure, is to avoid accelerating too hard: The force you can put on the chain is much higher than the force a 70kg person can put on the chain. And that force on the chain is directly proportional to the torque that your spokes need to deliver to the rim. If you put your bike in first gear and then stand on your pedal to accelerate, you'll pretty much kill any rear wheel. Just try to take acceleration a bit more slowly until you have lost weight.






          share|improve this answer



















          • 3





            "If you put your bike in first gear and then stand on your pedal to accelerate, you'll pretty much kill any rear wheel." - over-egging the pudding here??

            – Lamar Latrell
            2 days ago






          • 2





            @LamarLatrell I know how I used to kill spokes until I learned to build my wheels with near perfect even tension, and the OP is a lot heavier than I ever was. If you assume that the chain-wheel radius is half the length of the crank, that's 353kg of tension on the chain. Multiply with a sprocket radius of 10cm, and you get 347Nm torque on the wheel. Assume 36 spokes at a 10% angle and an inner rim radius of 30cm, and you arrive at a dynamic load of about 320N per spoke (about 32kg). For the unloaded spokes to retain 60N tension, the loaded spokes must endure 700N. Much more for a dished wheel.

            – cmaster
            2 days ago











          • Circumference of a 10cm radius rear cog = 2π100 = 628mm. 628/12.7mm = 49 tooth cog....

            – Lamar Latrell
            2 days ago






          • 1





            An explanation for the downvotes would be nice...

            – cmaster
            2 days ago






          • 2





            "And failed spokes after only 24km means that something is very wrong with the wheel's built." - Nothing is very wrong on a BSO wheel build with a 400 pound rider. It's amazing it even made it 24m let alone 24km. This is well beyond any BSO. This needs huge spoke count wheels built.

            – sjakubowski
            yesterday


















          8














          Spokes getting loose is not a laughing matter. The more spokes get loose or break, the more uneven the load is distributed to the spokes, and the more likely other spokes are to get loose or break. Accumulate enough failed spokes, and your wheel fails. And failed spokes after only 24km means that something is very wrong with the wheel's built.



          As such, your wheel definitely needs to be rebuilt immediately.



          When the wheel is rebuilt, it needs to be rebuilt such that no spoke can ever loose tension when you use it. Most importantly, that means that the spokes must have even tension, but also that their tension must be high enough. I'd recommend giving the wheel to a professional builder, and to tell them that the wheel is supposed to carry you. Hopefully, they'll be able to produce a built of high enough quality to avoid repetition of the failure.



          What you can do to reduce the likelihood of failure, is to avoid accelerating too hard: The force you can put on the chain is much higher than the force a 70kg person can put on the chain. And that force on the chain is directly proportional to the torque that your spokes need to deliver to the rim. If you put your bike in first gear and then stand on your pedal to accelerate, you'll pretty much kill any rear wheel. Just try to take acceleration a bit more slowly until you have lost weight.






          share|improve this answer



















          • 3





            "If you put your bike in first gear and then stand on your pedal to accelerate, you'll pretty much kill any rear wheel." - over-egging the pudding here??

            – Lamar Latrell
            2 days ago






          • 2





            @LamarLatrell I know how I used to kill spokes until I learned to build my wheels with near perfect even tension, and the OP is a lot heavier than I ever was. If you assume that the chain-wheel radius is half the length of the crank, that's 353kg of tension on the chain. Multiply with a sprocket radius of 10cm, and you get 347Nm torque on the wheel. Assume 36 spokes at a 10% angle and an inner rim radius of 30cm, and you arrive at a dynamic load of about 320N per spoke (about 32kg). For the unloaded spokes to retain 60N tension, the loaded spokes must endure 700N. Much more for a dished wheel.

            – cmaster
            2 days ago











          • Circumference of a 10cm radius rear cog = 2π100 = 628mm. 628/12.7mm = 49 tooth cog....

            – Lamar Latrell
            2 days ago






          • 1





            An explanation for the downvotes would be nice...

            – cmaster
            2 days ago






          • 2





            "And failed spokes after only 24km means that something is very wrong with the wheel's built." - Nothing is very wrong on a BSO wheel build with a 400 pound rider. It's amazing it even made it 24m let alone 24km. This is well beyond any BSO. This needs huge spoke count wheels built.

            – sjakubowski
            yesterday
















          8












          8








          8







          Spokes getting loose is not a laughing matter. The more spokes get loose or break, the more uneven the load is distributed to the spokes, and the more likely other spokes are to get loose or break. Accumulate enough failed spokes, and your wheel fails. And failed spokes after only 24km means that something is very wrong with the wheel's built.



          As such, your wheel definitely needs to be rebuilt immediately.



          When the wheel is rebuilt, it needs to be rebuilt such that no spoke can ever loose tension when you use it. Most importantly, that means that the spokes must have even tension, but also that their tension must be high enough. I'd recommend giving the wheel to a professional builder, and to tell them that the wheel is supposed to carry you. Hopefully, they'll be able to produce a built of high enough quality to avoid repetition of the failure.



          What you can do to reduce the likelihood of failure, is to avoid accelerating too hard: The force you can put on the chain is much higher than the force a 70kg person can put on the chain. And that force on the chain is directly proportional to the torque that your spokes need to deliver to the rim. If you put your bike in first gear and then stand on your pedal to accelerate, you'll pretty much kill any rear wheel. Just try to take acceleration a bit more slowly until you have lost weight.






          share|improve this answer













          Spokes getting loose is not a laughing matter. The more spokes get loose or break, the more uneven the load is distributed to the spokes, and the more likely other spokes are to get loose or break. Accumulate enough failed spokes, and your wheel fails. And failed spokes after only 24km means that something is very wrong with the wheel's built.



          As such, your wheel definitely needs to be rebuilt immediately.



          When the wheel is rebuilt, it needs to be rebuilt such that no spoke can ever loose tension when you use it. Most importantly, that means that the spokes must have even tension, but also that their tension must be high enough. I'd recommend giving the wheel to a professional builder, and to tell them that the wheel is supposed to carry you. Hopefully, they'll be able to produce a built of high enough quality to avoid repetition of the failure.



          What you can do to reduce the likelihood of failure, is to avoid accelerating too hard: The force you can put on the chain is much higher than the force a 70kg person can put on the chain. And that force on the chain is directly proportional to the torque that your spokes need to deliver to the rim. If you put your bike in first gear and then stand on your pedal to accelerate, you'll pretty much kill any rear wheel. Just try to take acceleration a bit more slowly until you have lost weight.







          share|improve this answer












          share|improve this answer



          share|improve this answer










          answered 2 days ago









          cmastercmaster

          1,813311




          1,813311








          • 3





            "If you put your bike in first gear and then stand on your pedal to accelerate, you'll pretty much kill any rear wheel." - over-egging the pudding here??

            – Lamar Latrell
            2 days ago






          • 2





            @LamarLatrell I know how I used to kill spokes until I learned to build my wheels with near perfect even tension, and the OP is a lot heavier than I ever was. If you assume that the chain-wheel radius is half the length of the crank, that's 353kg of tension on the chain. Multiply with a sprocket radius of 10cm, and you get 347Nm torque on the wheel. Assume 36 spokes at a 10% angle and an inner rim radius of 30cm, and you arrive at a dynamic load of about 320N per spoke (about 32kg). For the unloaded spokes to retain 60N tension, the loaded spokes must endure 700N. Much more for a dished wheel.

            – cmaster
            2 days ago











          • Circumference of a 10cm radius rear cog = 2π100 = 628mm. 628/12.7mm = 49 tooth cog....

            – Lamar Latrell
            2 days ago






          • 1





            An explanation for the downvotes would be nice...

            – cmaster
            2 days ago






          • 2





            "And failed spokes after only 24km means that something is very wrong with the wheel's built." - Nothing is very wrong on a BSO wheel build with a 400 pound rider. It's amazing it even made it 24m let alone 24km. This is well beyond any BSO. This needs huge spoke count wheels built.

            – sjakubowski
            yesterday
















          • 3





            "If you put your bike in first gear and then stand on your pedal to accelerate, you'll pretty much kill any rear wheel." - over-egging the pudding here??

            – Lamar Latrell
            2 days ago






          • 2





            @LamarLatrell I know how I used to kill spokes until I learned to build my wheels with near perfect even tension, and the OP is a lot heavier than I ever was. If you assume that the chain-wheel radius is half the length of the crank, that's 353kg of tension on the chain. Multiply with a sprocket radius of 10cm, and you get 347Nm torque on the wheel. Assume 36 spokes at a 10% angle and an inner rim radius of 30cm, and you arrive at a dynamic load of about 320N per spoke (about 32kg). For the unloaded spokes to retain 60N tension, the loaded spokes must endure 700N. Much more for a dished wheel.

            – cmaster
            2 days ago











          • Circumference of a 10cm radius rear cog = 2π100 = 628mm. 628/12.7mm = 49 tooth cog....

            – Lamar Latrell
            2 days ago






          • 1





            An explanation for the downvotes would be nice...

            – cmaster
            2 days ago






          • 2





            "And failed spokes after only 24km means that something is very wrong with the wheel's built." - Nothing is very wrong on a BSO wheel build with a 400 pound rider. It's amazing it even made it 24m let alone 24km. This is well beyond any BSO. This needs huge spoke count wheels built.

            – sjakubowski
            yesterday










          3




          3





          "If you put your bike in first gear and then stand on your pedal to accelerate, you'll pretty much kill any rear wheel." - over-egging the pudding here??

          – Lamar Latrell
          2 days ago





          "If you put your bike in first gear and then stand on your pedal to accelerate, you'll pretty much kill any rear wheel." - over-egging the pudding here??

          – Lamar Latrell
          2 days ago




          2




          2





          @LamarLatrell I know how I used to kill spokes until I learned to build my wheels with near perfect even tension, and the OP is a lot heavier than I ever was. If you assume that the chain-wheel radius is half the length of the crank, that's 353kg of tension on the chain. Multiply with a sprocket radius of 10cm, and you get 347Nm torque on the wheel. Assume 36 spokes at a 10% angle and an inner rim radius of 30cm, and you arrive at a dynamic load of about 320N per spoke (about 32kg). For the unloaded spokes to retain 60N tension, the loaded spokes must endure 700N. Much more for a dished wheel.

          – cmaster
          2 days ago





          @LamarLatrell I know how I used to kill spokes until I learned to build my wheels with near perfect even tension, and the OP is a lot heavier than I ever was. If you assume that the chain-wheel radius is half the length of the crank, that's 353kg of tension on the chain. Multiply with a sprocket radius of 10cm, and you get 347Nm torque on the wheel. Assume 36 spokes at a 10% angle and an inner rim radius of 30cm, and you arrive at a dynamic load of about 320N per spoke (about 32kg). For the unloaded spokes to retain 60N tension, the loaded spokes must endure 700N. Much more for a dished wheel.

          – cmaster
          2 days ago













          Circumference of a 10cm radius rear cog = 2π100 = 628mm. 628/12.7mm = 49 tooth cog....

          – Lamar Latrell
          2 days ago





          Circumference of a 10cm radius rear cog = 2π100 = 628mm. 628/12.7mm = 49 tooth cog....

          – Lamar Latrell
          2 days ago




          1




          1





          An explanation for the downvotes would be nice...

          – cmaster
          2 days ago





          An explanation for the downvotes would be nice...

          – cmaster
          2 days ago




          2




          2





          "And failed spokes after only 24km means that something is very wrong with the wheel's built." - Nothing is very wrong on a BSO wheel build with a 400 pound rider. It's amazing it even made it 24m let alone 24km. This is well beyond any BSO. This needs huge spoke count wheels built.

          – sjakubowski
          yesterday







          "And failed spokes after only 24km means that something is very wrong with the wheel's built." - Nothing is very wrong on a BSO wheel build with a 400 pound rider. It's amazing it even made it 24m let alone 24km. This is well beyond any BSO. This needs huge spoke count wheels built.

          – sjakubowski
          yesterday













          6














          For your weight, you either need to find reliable wheel builder who will make wheels for you, or you need to become one. Possibly both in that order.



          Wheel will be most important part of your bicycle and you should strive to put best components in it, and be sure it is built with your weight in mind.



          Unwinding of spokes is almost certainly result of not enough of tension on them for your weight. To be able to put enough tension, you need as many spokes as you can, and very strong rim. It should have no less than 36 spokes, heavy duty rim like rigida sputnik or andre, and double butted spokes.






          share|improve this answer




























            6














            For your weight, you either need to find reliable wheel builder who will make wheels for you, or you need to become one. Possibly both in that order.



            Wheel will be most important part of your bicycle and you should strive to put best components in it, and be sure it is built with your weight in mind.



            Unwinding of spokes is almost certainly result of not enough of tension on them for your weight. To be able to put enough tension, you need as many spokes as you can, and very strong rim. It should have no less than 36 spokes, heavy duty rim like rigida sputnik or andre, and double butted spokes.






            share|improve this answer


























              6












              6








              6







              For your weight, you either need to find reliable wheel builder who will make wheels for you, or you need to become one. Possibly both in that order.



              Wheel will be most important part of your bicycle and you should strive to put best components in it, and be sure it is built with your weight in mind.



              Unwinding of spokes is almost certainly result of not enough of tension on them for your weight. To be able to put enough tension, you need as many spokes as you can, and very strong rim. It should have no less than 36 spokes, heavy duty rim like rigida sputnik or andre, and double butted spokes.






              share|improve this answer













              For your weight, you either need to find reliable wheel builder who will make wheels for you, or you need to become one. Possibly both in that order.



              Wheel will be most important part of your bicycle and you should strive to put best components in it, and be sure it is built with your weight in mind.



              Unwinding of spokes is almost certainly result of not enough of tension on them for your weight. To be able to put enough tension, you need as many spokes as you can, and very strong rim. It should have no less than 36 spokes, heavy duty rim like rigida sputnik or andre, and double butted spokes.







              share|improve this answer












              share|improve this answer



              share|improve this answer










              answered 2 days ago









              Davorin RuševljanDavorin Ruševljan

              1,583916




              1,583916























                  5














                  It is possible to re-tension loose spokes at home, using a spoke key and the frame of the bicycle as a truing stand. In your case I would not do so.



                  If the wheel started to fail so quickly from new, I think it would fail again even faster with a home repair. In the worse case the wheel could fail catastrophically injuring you and damaging the bike. In the best case you get stranded.



                  When you take the bike in for service, the repair shop will hopefully be able to re-build the wheel. They may be able to build it to a higher strength than it was originally by increasing the spoke tension, but it may fail again of course. If the wheel can't be re-built or fails again, you can consider getting a stronger replacement wheel with a higher spoke count and heavier gauge spokes.






                  share|improve this answer




























                    5














                    It is possible to re-tension loose spokes at home, using a spoke key and the frame of the bicycle as a truing stand. In your case I would not do so.



                    If the wheel started to fail so quickly from new, I think it would fail again even faster with a home repair. In the worse case the wheel could fail catastrophically injuring you and damaging the bike. In the best case you get stranded.



                    When you take the bike in for service, the repair shop will hopefully be able to re-build the wheel. They may be able to build it to a higher strength than it was originally by increasing the spoke tension, but it may fail again of course. If the wheel can't be re-built or fails again, you can consider getting a stronger replacement wheel with a higher spoke count and heavier gauge spokes.






                    share|improve this answer


























                      5












                      5








                      5







                      It is possible to re-tension loose spokes at home, using a spoke key and the frame of the bicycle as a truing stand. In your case I would not do so.



                      If the wheel started to fail so quickly from new, I think it would fail again even faster with a home repair. In the worse case the wheel could fail catastrophically injuring you and damaging the bike. In the best case you get stranded.



                      When you take the bike in for service, the repair shop will hopefully be able to re-build the wheel. They may be able to build it to a higher strength than it was originally by increasing the spoke tension, but it may fail again of course. If the wheel can't be re-built or fails again, you can consider getting a stronger replacement wheel with a higher spoke count and heavier gauge spokes.






                      share|improve this answer













                      It is possible to re-tension loose spokes at home, using a spoke key and the frame of the bicycle as a truing stand. In your case I would not do so.



                      If the wheel started to fail so quickly from new, I think it would fail again even faster with a home repair. In the worse case the wheel could fail catastrophically injuring you and damaging the bike. In the best case you get stranded.



                      When you take the bike in for service, the repair shop will hopefully be able to re-build the wheel. They may be able to build it to a higher strength than it was originally by increasing the spoke tension, but it may fail again of course. If the wheel can't be re-built or fails again, you can consider getting a stronger replacement wheel with a higher spoke count and heavier gauge spokes.







                      share|improve this answer












                      share|improve this answer



                      share|improve this answer










                      answered 2 days ago









                      Argenti ApparatusArgenti Apparatus

                      37.8k23994




                      37.8k23994























                          3














                          Loose spokes and buckling wheels on a new bike are definitely not normal.



                          That could be incorrect assembly but may also be a result of the weight of the rider and not getting the right advice:



                          The design specifications in the GT tech manual book list "330 lbs / 150 kg" as the maximum weight limit for that model. Although not explicitly mentioned for the Avalanche I assume that is the limit for the combined weight of the rider and all gear.






                          share|improve this answer








                          New contributor




                          HBruijn is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
                          Check out our Code of Conduct.





















                          • Okay, initially would a home fix work or would i need to get it looked at?

                            – John
                            2 days ago






                          • 1





                            On a brand new bike I would expect a reputable seller to take responsibility for this and sort it out for you.

                            – HBruijn
                            2 days ago











                          • I agree and i am in the process of getting them to sort it however i need to be able to ride the bike in the meantime as it's used for commuting to work

                            – John
                            2 days ago






                          • 2





                            I wouldn't bother with a home fix. It's dangerous if you don't know what you are doing and won't really help. Take the bike back to the shop asap! Ask them to help you straight away. It sucks not being to able to ride your new bike.

                            – user2705196
                            2 days ago











                          • Buckling is not normal, but some loosening of spokes is, because machine built wheels end up with residual stresses that work themselves out in initial usage, leaving uneven tension. That's part of why you get that initial tune up.

                            – Chris Stratton
                            2 days ago


















                          3














                          Loose spokes and buckling wheels on a new bike are definitely not normal.



                          That could be incorrect assembly but may also be a result of the weight of the rider and not getting the right advice:



                          The design specifications in the GT tech manual book list "330 lbs / 150 kg" as the maximum weight limit for that model. Although not explicitly mentioned for the Avalanche I assume that is the limit for the combined weight of the rider and all gear.






                          share|improve this answer








                          New contributor




                          HBruijn is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
                          Check out our Code of Conduct.





















                          • Okay, initially would a home fix work or would i need to get it looked at?

                            – John
                            2 days ago






                          • 1





                            On a brand new bike I would expect a reputable seller to take responsibility for this and sort it out for you.

                            – HBruijn
                            2 days ago











                          • I agree and i am in the process of getting them to sort it however i need to be able to ride the bike in the meantime as it's used for commuting to work

                            – John
                            2 days ago






                          • 2





                            I wouldn't bother with a home fix. It's dangerous if you don't know what you are doing and won't really help. Take the bike back to the shop asap! Ask them to help you straight away. It sucks not being to able to ride your new bike.

                            – user2705196
                            2 days ago











                          • Buckling is not normal, but some loosening of spokes is, because machine built wheels end up with residual stresses that work themselves out in initial usage, leaving uneven tension. That's part of why you get that initial tune up.

                            – Chris Stratton
                            2 days ago
















                          3












                          3








                          3







                          Loose spokes and buckling wheels on a new bike are definitely not normal.



                          That could be incorrect assembly but may also be a result of the weight of the rider and not getting the right advice:



                          The design specifications in the GT tech manual book list "330 lbs / 150 kg" as the maximum weight limit for that model. Although not explicitly mentioned for the Avalanche I assume that is the limit for the combined weight of the rider and all gear.






                          share|improve this answer








                          New contributor




                          HBruijn is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
                          Check out our Code of Conduct.










                          Loose spokes and buckling wheels on a new bike are definitely not normal.



                          That could be incorrect assembly but may also be a result of the weight of the rider and not getting the right advice:



                          The design specifications in the GT tech manual book list "330 lbs / 150 kg" as the maximum weight limit for that model. Although not explicitly mentioned for the Avalanche I assume that is the limit for the combined weight of the rider and all gear.







                          share|improve this answer








                          New contributor




                          HBruijn is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
                          Check out our Code of Conduct.









                          share|improve this answer



                          share|improve this answer






                          New contributor




                          HBruijn is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
                          Check out our Code of Conduct.









                          answered 2 days ago









                          HBruijnHBruijn

                          2467




                          2467




                          New contributor




                          HBruijn is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
                          Check out our Code of Conduct.





                          New contributor





                          HBruijn is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
                          Check out our Code of Conduct.






                          HBruijn is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
                          Check out our Code of Conduct.













                          • Okay, initially would a home fix work or would i need to get it looked at?

                            – John
                            2 days ago






                          • 1





                            On a brand new bike I would expect a reputable seller to take responsibility for this and sort it out for you.

                            – HBruijn
                            2 days ago











                          • I agree and i am in the process of getting them to sort it however i need to be able to ride the bike in the meantime as it's used for commuting to work

                            – John
                            2 days ago






                          • 2





                            I wouldn't bother with a home fix. It's dangerous if you don't know what you are doing and won't really help. Take the bike back to the shop asap! Ask them to help you straight away. It sucks not being to able to ride your new bike.

                            – user2705196
                            2 days ago











                          • Buckling is not normal, but some loosening of spokes is, because machine built wheels end up with residual stresses that work themselves out in initial usage, leaving uneven tension. That's part of why you get that initial tune up.

                            – Chris Stratton
                            2 days ago





















                          • Okay, initially would a home fix work or would i need to get it looked at?

                            – John
                            2 days ago






                          • 1





                            On a brand new bike I would expect a reputable seller to take responsibility for this and sort it out for you.

                            – HBruijn
                            2 days ago











                          • I agree and i am in the process of getting them to sort it however i need to be able to ride the bike in the meantime as it's used for commuting to work

                            – John
                            2 days ago






                          • 2





                            I wouldn't bother with a home fix. It's dangerous if you don't know what you are doing and won't really help. Take the bike back to the shop asap! Ask them to help you straight away. It sucks not being to able to ride your new bike.

                            – user2705196
                            2 days ago











                          • Buckling is not normal, but some loosening of spokes is, because machine built wheels end up with residual stresses that work themselves out in initial usage, leaving uneven tension. That's part of why you get that initial tune up.

                            – Chris Stratton
                            2 days ago



















                          Okay, initially would a home fix work or would i need to get it looked at?

                          – John
                          2 days ago





                          Okay, initially would a home fix work or would i need to get it looked at?

                          – John
                          2 days ago




                          1




                          1





                          On a brand new bike I would expect a reputable seller to take responsibility for this and sort it out for you.

                          – HBruijn
                          2 days ago





                          On a brand new bike I would expect a reputable seller to take responsibility for this and sort it out for you.

                          – HBruijn
                          2 days ago













                          I agree and i am in the process of getting them to sort it however i need to be able to ride the bike in the meantime as it's used for commuting to work

                          – John
                          2 days ago





                          I agree and i am in the process of getting them to sort it however i need to be able to ride the bike in the meantime as it's used for commuting to work

                          – John
                          2 days ago




                          2




                          2





                          I wouldn't bother with a home fix. It's dangerous if you don't know what you are doing and won't really help. Take the bike back to the shop asap! Ask them to help you straight away. It sucks not being to able to ride your new bike.

                          – user2705196
                          2 days ago





                          I wouldn't bother with a home fix. It's dangerous if you don't know what you are doing and won't really help. Take the bike back to the shop asap! Ask them to help you straight away. It sucks not being to able to ride your new bike.

                          – user2705196
                          2 days ago













                          Buckling is not normal, but some loosening of spokes is, because machine built wheels end up with residual stresses that work themselves out in initial usage, leaving uneven tension. That's part of why you get that initial tune up.

                          – Chris Stratton
                          2 days ago







                          Buckling is not normal, but some loosening of spokes is, because machine built wheels end up with residual stresses that work themselves out in initial usage, leaving uneven tension. That's part of why you get that initial tune up.

                          – Chris Stratton
                          2 days ago













                          2














                          I would suggest that if visited the shop and they helped you choose the bike then they should exchange the bike for something more appropriate.
                          Clearly the bike is not suitable otherwise the issue you raised would not have occurred.






                          share|improve this answer










                          New contributor




                          ch33zegrater is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
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                            2














                            I would suggest that if visited the shop and they helped you choose the bike then they should exchange the bike for something more appropriate.
                            Clearly the bike is not suitable otherwise the issue you raised would not have occurred.






                            share|improve this answer










                            New contributor




                            ch33zegrater is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
                            Check out our Code of Conduct.























                              2












                              2








                              2







                              I would suggest that if visited the shop and they helped you choose the bike then they should exchange the bike for something more appropriate.
                              Clearly the bike is not suitable otherwise the issue you raised would not have occurred.






                              share|improve this answer










                              New contributor




                              ch33zegrater is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
                              Check out our Code of Conduct.










                              I would suggest that if visited the shop and they helped you choose the bike then they should exchange the bike for something more appropriate.
                              Clearly the bike is not suitable otherwise the issue you raised would not have occurred.







                              share|improve this answer










                              New contributor




                              ch33zegrater is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
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                              share|improve this answer



                              share|improve this answer








                              edited 2 days ago









                              David Richerby

                              14.1k33969




                              14.1k33969






                              New contributor




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                              answered 2 days ago









                              ch33zegraterch33zegrater

                              411




                              411




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                                  1















                                  Upon getting home I have noticed that some of the spokes were loose. Is this normal and if not is it due to the weight the bike is being asked to carry? Will a home fix be enough to mend the issue?




                                  In my experience, loose spokes are not typical but can happen. Any decent bump (especially for a big guy like I am) can remove pressure from a spoke and if it is twisted, it will unscrew a bit. But twisted spokes imply that the wheel was not built properly.



                                  When building a wheel, I was taught to over-tighten the spokes and then back them off specifically to reduce spoke twisting. You want the spokes to be under tension but not twisted. See this answer for more details: https://bicycles.stackexchange.com/a/29696. I also was trained to grab the parallel spokes and squeeze them to help untwist the spokes while truing a tire. This page explains the squeezing well.



                                  I also know some wheel builders who use Loctite solution on the spokes to hold them better although I've never found this to be necessary.






                                  share|improve this answer










                                  New contributor




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                                    1















                                    Upon getting home I have noticed that some of the spokes were loose. Is this normal and if not is it due to the weight the bike is being asked to carry? Will a home fix be enough to mend the issue?




                                    In my experience, loose spokes are not typical but can happen. Any decent bump (especially for a big guy like I am) can remove pressure from a spoke and if it is twisted, it will unscrew a bit. But twisted spokes imply that the wheel was not built properly.



                                    When building a wheel, I was taught to over-tighten the spokes and then back them off specifically to reduce spoke twisting. You want the spokes to be under tension but not twisted. See this answer for more details: https://bicycles.stackexchange.com/a/29696. I also was trained to grab the parallel spokes and squeeze them to help untwist the spokes while truing a tire. This page explains the squeezing well.



                                    I also know some wheel builders who use Loctite solution on the spokes to hold them better although I've never found this to be necessary.






                                    share|improve this answer










                                    New contributor




                                    Gray is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
                                    Check out our Code of Conduct.























                                      1












                                      1








                                      1








                                      Upon getting home I have noticed that some of the spokes were loose. Is this normal and if not is it due to the weight the bike is being asked to carry? Will a home fix be enough to mend the issue?




                                      In my experience, loose spokes are not typical but can happen. Any decent bump (especially for a big guy like I am) can remove pressure from a spoke and if it is twisted, it will unscrew a bit. But twisted spokes imply that the wheel was not built properly.



                                      When building a wheel, I was taught to over-tighten the spokes and then back them off specifically to reduce spoke twisting. You want the spokes to be under tension but not twisted. See this answer for more details: https://bicycles.stackexchange.com/a/29696. I also was trained to grab the parallel spokes and squeeze them to help untwist the spokes while truing a tire. This page explains the squeezing well.



                                      I also know some wheel builders who use Loctite solution on the spokes to hold them better although I've never found this to be necessary.






                                      share|improve this answer










                                      New contributor




                                      Gray is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
                                      Check out our Code of Conduct.











                                      Upon getting home I have noticed that some of the spokes were loose. Is this normal and if not is it due to the weight the bike is being asked to carry? Will a home fix be enough to mend the issue?




                                      In my experience, loose spokes are not typical but can happen. Any decent bump (especially for a big guy like I am) can remove pressure from a spoke and if it is twisted, it will unscrew a bit. But twisted spokes imply that the wheel was not built properly.



                                      When building a wheel, I was taught to over-tighten the spokes and then back them off specifically to reduce spoke twisting. You want the spokes to be under tension but not twisted. See this answer for more details: https://bicycles.stackexchange.com/a/29696. I also was trained to grab the parallel spokes and squeeze them to help untwist the spokes while truing a tire. This page explains the squeezing well.



                                      I also know some wheel builders who use Loctite solution on the spokes to hold them better although I've never found this to be necessary.







                                      share|improve this answer










                                      New contributor




                                      Gray is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
                                      Check out our Code of Conduct.









                                      share|improve this answer



                                      share|improve this answer








                                      edited yesterday





















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                                      answered yesterday









                                      GrayGray

                                      1214




                                      1214




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