BROKEN SPOKES?

[6zfshdb]

36 hole rims and heavier gauge stainless spokes help reduce the problem but mag wheels are definitely the best approach. Your bike appears to be a rear hub drive and finding a mag for it would be nearly impossible. In the long run, getting a new bike might be the best idea.

Choose your mags carefully though. They are certainly better able to support heavier loads but some are susceptible to breakage under shock loads like jumping curbs or logs. I would stay away from three spoke models and look for five or more.

 

[AHicks]

I"m 315 and sorting out a new bike (w/27.5" wheels) that's broken a couple of spokes as well (also a 500w). Bike manf. (after noting the bike is rated for 275lbs) is suggesting 3 changes on a complete rear wheel rebuild (uses the motor over again). First is a HD rim that has grommets installed at the spoke holes to reinforce that area. Second is the use of 13g Sapim spokes (they don't care for the idea of using anything heavier). 3rd is a change in how the spokes are installed. Instead of having the head of the spoke pointing out, turn them around so the head is pointing inward, toward the center. The idea here is to provide a little more support to the wheel from a side force support stand point - better triangulation.

Note I have/have had several other e-bikes that I've ridden extensively without breaking a single spoke, so I know this can be done without issue! I just never paid any attention to how they were set up.

Spoke source:

Spokes - Ebike Parts - Shop

We sell custom length Sapim <a href="https://www.sapim.be/spokes/butted/strong">Strong</a> and EStrong (12-13g) single butted spokes in both black and silver, for all your hub-motor specific wheel building needs.

ebikes.ca

27.5" wheel

Rim275_Alex

27.5

ebikes.ca

Myself, I'll likely go with this plan as time permits. -Al

 

[Reece123]

On my last custom ebike, which had a mid drive 1000w bbshd bafang on a subcross Scott with a second battery mounted on the rear rack I had 700cc wheels, I was braking spokes every week, it drove me crazy, until the motor burnt out and frame cracked on the seat post horizontal bar join, I gave up on that bike, had nothing but problems. I now have a bike made as an ebike with a bafang ultra, no such problems yet or ever hopefully, but again have power issues with not enough battery power for longer rides, I won’t make the same mistake overloading the rear of the bike, however this bike I suspect is much more robust, it would probably take a rear mounted battery, but I won’t risk it, will just store a second battery across the horizontal and swap it out when I need to. https://electricbikereview.com/foru...pare-battery-carrier.38038/page-3#post-449826 https://electricbikereview.com/forums/threads/volition-bikes-in-sydney.40497/#post-449746

 

[Reece123]

36 hole rims and heavier gauge stainless spokes help reduce the problem but mag wheels are definitely the best approach. Your bike appears to be a rear hub drive and finding a mag for it would be nearly impossible. In the long run, getting a new bike might be the best idea.

Choose your mags carefully though. They are certainly better able to support heavier loads but some are susceptible to breakage under shock loads like jumping curbs or logs. I would stay away from three spoke models and look for five or more.

36 hole hubs are not easy to find in my experience

 

[fooferdoggie]

I see this thread is not so active lately, but it seems to be the most appropriate place to post a concern.

As a larger rider (250 lbs), I go through spokes regularly (about every 100 miles). My ebike is the GreenBike USA GB-500.
This bike takes me everywhere - work, shopping, joy riding, etc.
I do live in a hilly place, so could really use some additional torque occasionally.
Also, many of the roads were built over 80 years ago out of concert slabs and have shifted over the decades leaving gaps, jagged edges, bumps and jumps making for some rough riding.
My bike is my best exercise (I've lost 25 lbs in 1500 miles of riding this year), so I am looking for suggestions.
My current thought is to sell my bike and purchase one with mag wheels.
Although I too have become quite proficient at changing spokes in the rain and snow I would prefer not to have to do it at all.
One other thing to mention is I had the rear wheel sent out to be completely rebuilt by a pro-shop specializing in wheels.

Any thoughts are welcome and appreciated.
Thanks.

take the wheel to a wheel builder and get the wheel rebuilt the right way then it will not need constantly attention. if built right you will not need to do anything with it again.

 

[fooferdoggie]

36 hole hubs are not easy to find in my experience

nope we had to stick with 32 on our tandem. but the builder fort a extra strong dt Swiss rear hub he used velocity cliff hanger rims and a really strong version of sipam spokes.

 

[AHicks]

take the wheel to a wheel builder and get the wheel rebuilt the right way then it will not need constantly attention. if built right you will not need to do anything with it again.

See post #67
"One other thing to mention is I had the rear wheel sent out to be completely rebuilt by a pro-shop specializing in wheels."

 

[fooferdoggie]

See post #67
"One other thing to mention is I had the rear wheel sent out to be completely rebuilt by a pro-shop specializing in wheels."

I would get a much better rim then that. https://www.velocityusa.com/product/rims/cliff-hanger-559 or such

 

[Reece123]

take the wheel to a wheel builder and get the wheel rebuilt the right way then it will not need constantly attention. if built right you will not need to do anything with it again.

Also from my experience getting a wheel built for an ebike is next to impossible, normal bike shops and wheel builders don’t want to know about it

 

[fooferdoggie]

Also from my experience getting a wheel built for an ebike is next to impossible, normal bike shops and wheel builders don’t want to know about it

you need the right person I have a two man shop that dos it all the time but another ebike only shop that does it too. there is nothing special but spoke length.

 

[Reece123]

you need the right person I have a two man shop that dos it all the time but another ebike only shop that does it too. there is nothing special but spoke length.

I’m from a relatively small city, I wish I could find that place and I’ve had wheels made by ebike shops that also failed

 

[fooferdoggie]

I’m from a relatively small city, I wish I could find that place and I’ve had wheels made by ebike shops that also failed

ya that sucks . here in portland we have a lot of shops. may be time to do a good shop and ship your hub

 

[Reece123]

ya that sucks . here in portland we have a lot of shops. may be time to do a good shop and ship your hub

I tried finding a hub myself online, with the shortage of bike parts world wide, that is also a challenge…… I want to get a rear wheel made with a rohloff 14 speed, I’m having my doubts anyone will make it for me locally, to get it made somewhere outside is is risky, as I need to make sure it all lines up with my belt drive system, if you want to modify a car, you can do anything, when it comes to bikes good luck, unless you’re really handy yourself with bike componentry and can source the specialised parts you need, making a belt drive hub wheel aint easy.

 

[fooferdoggie]

I tried finding a hub myself online, with the shortage of bike parts world wide, that is also a challenge…… I want to get a rear wheel made with a rohloff 14 speed, I’m having my doubts anyone will make it for me locally, to get it made somewhere outside is is risky, as I need to make sure it all lines up with my belt drive system, if you want to modify a car, you can do anything, when it comes to bikes good luck, unless you’re really handy yourself with bike componentry and can source the specialised parts you need, making a belt drive hub wheel aint easy.

that could cause issues.

 

[Reece123]

that could cause issues.

Reading through a Rohloff issue thread perhaps, might need to reconsider, would like a higher range on my gear hub though, my alpine is adequate

 

[Elkman]

When I planned to put a heavy load on a road bike for a long tour I would change the wheels from a standard 3 across lacing to 4 across which greatly reduces the chance of breaking a spoke. Only downside is you need longer spokes and need to carry 1 or 2 spare spokes (I tape them to the tire pump).