Replacement wheels for my bike: which do I choose?

[peterbro@hotmai]

I've broken my third spoke on my stock no-name wheels that came with my Jamis Satelitte.  Anyone have any suggestions on a good all 'round wheel?

I will be using this steel frame bike for touring in the future, but don't want a heavy "monster" wheel to weigh me down on my training rides.

I've looked into Shimano, Mavic and Alex, and have thought that the Alex DH19 with the Deore hubs would be nice at just $65.  I don't want any superlight wheels which would break under loaded touring either.
  Any suggestions?

[alfonso]

A succession of broken spokes may not mean that you need new wheels. It may be that the wheels weren't properly built at the factory, and the problem may be fixed by having them rebuilt with new spokes. That was my experience.

Most inexpensive wheels are machine assembled, with fairly wide tolerances for roundness and spoke tension. If there's stress on one spoke and it breaks, then replacing only that spoke can simply transfer the stress to elsewhere on the wheel, so that another spoke will break later.

A rebuild by hand (assuming the mechanic knows what he's doing) will produce far better results than machine building.

By all means buy new wheels if you want them. If the only reason for buying them is to avoid broken spokes, I suggest talking to your local mechanic first.

[peterbro@hotmai]

Thanks for the insight.  A LBS told me that I should replace the wheel after the third spoke breaks.  That may be a good rule of thumb or just a poor sales pitch to buy a new wheel, but I will look into rebuilding what I have.

I should note, that I don't have a very high quality wheel to start out on, hence the reason for buying a new wheel or wheelset.

Thanks again.

[alfonso]

As I said, if you want to upgrade your wheels, then by all means do so.

Surprised that your advice was to change WHEELS after only 3 broken spokes. I was recommended (by more than one bikeshop) a rebuild if 6 spokes broke in several months; I asked for one somewhat before that, and would do so again.

Good luck & best wishes!

[biker_james]

I wouldn't rush to replace them. I think I broke 3 spokes the first year I had my Cannondale, had the broken ones replaced and the wheel retensioned. I have broken 1 or 2 more in the intervening years, but the wheel is still going strong after 7 years. Get a shop that knows something to check the spoke tension- a lot of wheels come with inadequate spoke tension from the factory.
I run Mavic T519 rims, FWIW, and if replacing them would go with the new version, the A719.

[richkim]

I purchased a set of Campy Record hubs with Mavic Open Pro rims for $300 from Performance, I think. They have been great for my unloaded riding.  The Satellite is a nice frame with basic components so this would be a really nice upgrade.  These hubs have grease ports so lube takes about 15 seconds per year.  I did break one pawl spring after about 8-10,000 miles of riding.

[jimbeard]

At the risk of starting another debate on Phil Wood hubs . see ACA forum 11-02-06 search forum phil wood
  I use a Phil Wood hub it comes apart with 2 5mm alien wrenches.[ Easy spoke replacement]Although it is very expensive it is top quality . This hub in my opinion is one of the best things i have ever purchased for touring.                                    
 link
http://www.philwood.com/


Jim

This message was edited by jimbeard on 2-12-07 @ 3:24 PM

[undies]

You may want to inquire around and find out of any LBS has a good reputation for wheelbuilding. I had a local shop with a good rep. build me a pair of 36-spoke wheels using Deore hubs and Salsa Delgado rims for only $220. I weigh ~240lbs and ride over all kinds of terrain on these things, including rough mountain logging roads, and they have been rock solid through 1000 miles so far. IMO skilled building makes all the difference.