Quality wheels and spokes / preinspection

[unior]

Today I experienced my second wheel failure. I know it's been mentioned many times before but heavy duty spokes and wheels are an absolute necessity on these machines.

The bad news is I was slacking and didn't preinspect the bicycle before departing for a 15 mile round trip. 2 or 3 miles into the voyage I picked up something sharp and lost all air pressure in the rear tire.

After removing the wheel, to my horror, I realized I had been driving on 2 broken spokes! The spokes may have been weakened from a previous sprocket/rag joint install although they broke under normal riding conditions.

The scary thing is If I had not gotten the flat I may not have realized the problem until something way worse happened.

So yeah long story short, pre and post trip inspections are very necessary to ensure a safe ride!!!

[5-7HEAVEN]

Like you said, it could be from a previous rag-joint connection.

I've had six friction-drive projects with 1.6hp, 2.2hp, 4.25hp and 5hp engines. One had 12g spokes, four others had stock spokes. Maybe I'm lucky, but I'd never broken or even loosened any spokes.

Good advice for pre-inspection.

[RdKryton]

I always check my wheels and spokes because I have had a few spokes break but fortunately no catastrophic wheel failures. (knock on wood) Last year I put Worksman wheels on my Whizzer. The difference was amazing. A quality wheel and spoke combo is one of the most important things you can do for your safety. These Worksman wheels have 11ga spokes! They feel like motorcycle wheels. I am a big guy and I no longer worry about having a major wheel failure. Peace of mind makes the rides even more enjoyable.

Jim

[reddbak]

I've had 14g spokes on the rear of my 66cc 2stroker and it's heavy unit. Never had a breakage in one year of riding. I spoke and true my own wheels and prefer an extra quarter turn on the nipple over stock tension.

I pluck my guitar's 'B' string for spoke tuning as this seems spot-on for normal tension. So I guess halfway to a 'C' is what I end up with, lol. Tried the ol' blues harp once, but I jest get carried away on that blighter.

[lovecats]

Today I r4 ds experienced my second wheel failure. I know it's been mentioned many times before but heavy duty spokes and wheels are an absolute necessity on these machines.

The bad news is I was slacking and didn't preinspect the bicycle before departing for a 15 mile round trip. 2 or 3 miles into the voyage I picked up something sharp and lost all air pressure in the rear tire.

After removing the wheel, to my horror, I realized I had been driving on 2 broken spokes! The spokes may have been weakened from a previous sprocket/rag joint install although they broke under normal riding conditions.

The scary thing is If I had not gotten the flat I may not have realized the problem until something way worse happened.

So yeah long story short, pre and post trip inspections are very necessary to ensure a safe ride!!!

Yes, safe is the most important thing

[louishb50cc]

Ive been riding around on a broke spoke (luckily not spokes) because when i first fitted it i just loosly fitted the chain tensioner and unfortunatly (i know thats spelt wrong) it fell off jammed in the spoke and the wheel skidded to a halt right in front of a van luckily he swerved to the other side. Any ideas on how to fix a broken spoke?

[SimpleSimon]

Replace the spoke and re-true the wheel.

"Fixing" a broken spoke is an exercise in futility.

[eastwoodo4]

im in the hunt for some new spokes.im wanting some 12g but cant find any at a reasonable price.

there 10'' 3/8 or 264mm.any suggestions?

[fm2200]

Hi eastwood, spookytooth sells 12g wheels

[5-7HEAVEN]

JMO, some of the problems might be due to how engine power is transferred to the wheel. I'm running stock spokes on the rear wheel of my Diamondback bike. The 2.8hp Tanaka 47R engine runs through a shift kit to an 8-speed cassette. Sometimes I powershift through the gears.

Coincidentally, I have 12-gauge spokes on my HD front steel rim. Thank goodness for that. I whacked the curb at 20mph; front rim and spokes still perfect.

I checked both wheels before riding yesterday, and they were good to go.