Replacement rear wheel for Vado 4

[bellandbottle]

I am breaking a rear wheel spoke about every 3 months, and I think it is a combination of bike weight, human weight (200lbs), and the fact that I am riding on cycleways a lot (ie) climbing up, and dropping off, small kerbs.

Whatever the reason, I am considering replacing it with a 32h or 36h setup - my Vado has 28h.

I am sure someone here has done this, and I would appreciate some guidance (I have done some seaching, but there are no details of what was done).

 

[2wheels4fun]

Thread '330lbs wanting specialized como 4.0'
https://electricbikereview.com/forums/threads/330lbs-wanting-specialized-como-4-0.39180/

Hi, i found a thread that might answer your question.
I have upgraded my electra townie with velocity cliffhanger 36h wheelset, no more broken spokes.
The thing you need to know is your hub spacing for your rims, mine was (100mm front and 135mm rear).
Velocity answered my emails quickly.
Hope you get it fixed.

 

[bellandbottle]

Many thanks for the quick reply with the link - the Vado 4 I have has a hub with 12x148mm thru-axle, 28h.

I am taking in the wheel to have a new spoke fitted and will ask the LBS for a price - I would like to check if I can source the wheel myself, as a reference point.

 

[rich c]

200 lbs should not be an issue on your current wheel. Do you every check the tension on the spokes?

 

[Stefan Mikes]

Do you own a Vado or Vado SL, @bellandbottle?
I do weigh 200 lbs and broke a spoke in my big Vado only once over more than 2 years of intensive riding. No spoke lost in my 8-month old Vado SL.

 

[bellandbottle]

200 lbs should not be an issue on your current wheel. Do you every check the tension on the spokes?

It is not something that I do, I'm afraid - I leave that to the LBS, who are repairing the spokes as they break. I should have said that my wheels are 2019 though the bike is 2021 - long story .

 

[bellandbottle]

Do you own a Vado or Vado SL, @bellandbottle?
I do weigh 200 lbs and broke a spoke in my big Vado only once over more than 2 years of intensive riding. No spoke lost in my 8-month old Vado SL.

It is the heavy Vado. I have the 604 battery and carry a full toolkit when out riding.

I am certain that it is the kerbs which are causing the problem, as I feel and hear quite a thump when I drop off them. I cannot avoid them where I live, unless I take my life in my hands and take to the roads .

I have just managed to find a wheel builder near me, and have asked him for a price to move to 36h - as I said before, I will ask the LBS anyway. I am going there tomorrow.

 

[bellandbottle]

I've been quoted around $300 for a wheel build, with the hub just over half the cost. I don't know what a Specialized wheel would cost, as I cannot see the spare parts list anywhere.

The LBS thought that silver spokes instead of black ones on my present wheel might be quite a bit stronger, and the cost is quite low.

I am still thinking .

 

[Stefan Mikes]

It is the heavy Vado. I have the 604 battery and carry a full toolkit when out riding.

It is all strange. I weigh same as you (weighed 236 lbs in the beginning), also use the 604 Wh battery and typically carry a pannier with another 604 Wh battery, tools, beverages. My rides ain't soft: one of my favourite pastime is gravel cycling, which also involves mild off-road. Really no idea why the spokes in your wheel do snap!

And wheels have never been cheap...

 

[bellandbottle]

I have decided to have a new wheel made - bit the bullet .

Rattling around the forum using more general search terms, I have discovered that $300 is a fair price, and that Specialized now puts 32h wheels on this model. I wish I had know this 3 months ago, but hey, ho.

 

[Stefan Mikes]

Specialized now puts 32h wheels on this model.

It is not the same model. Yours is equipped with 29" wheels while the new Vado uses 27.5" wheels with wider tyres.

 

[bellandbottle]

It is not the same model. Yours is equipped with 29" wheels while the new Vado uses 27.5" wheels with wider tyres.

Sorry, I should have been clearer - the Vado 4 2021 model has 32h wheels. I have a hybrid model because I had a replacement bike after my 2019 model frame cracked. If you check the specification of the 2021 model, you can see what I mean. I say hybrid, as the LBS moved everything from my old bike, including the wheels, to the new one - I had a lot of extras on the old bike (seatpost etc).

That is why I said I wished I had noticed that before.

Water under the bridge now - especially as the LBS threw in a 604 battery free of charge, so I am not complaining.

 

[john peck]

I am breaking a rear wheel spoke about every 3 months, and I think it is a combination of bike weight, human weight (200lbs), and the fact that I am riding on cycleways a lot (ie) climbing up, and dropping off, small kerbs.

Whatever the reason, I am considering replacing it with a 32h or 36h setup - my Vado has 28h.

I am sure someone here has done this, and I would appreciate some guidance (I have done some seaching, but there are no details of what was done).

My broken spoke issues were directly related to the tires i was using which had flimsy stdewalls that bottomed
out on bumps & holes. They were also rated for too little pressure to adequately support my weight. Since
going to better tires I have not had a spoke issue in 4000 miles. Still it can also be inadequate spokes.

 

[Stefan Mikes]

Hey @bellandbottle: Don't get me wrong. I really cannot find the reason for your spokes snapping because I also ride Vado SL on 21 mm wide 28h rims and still no issue...

 

[john peck]

My broken spoke issues were directly related to the tires i was using which had flimsy stdewalls that bottomed
out on bumps & holes. They were also rated for too little pressure to adequately support my weight. Since
going to better tires I have not had a spoke issue in 4000 miles. Still it can also be inadequate spokes.

Alzo, b4 every ride now i preflight check tires, spokes, wheel true, & brakes. It´s worth the effort.
You may also have damaged or worn spoke bores on yur hub. If that´s the case, it will only get
worse with time.

 

[TrevorB]

Broken spokes can be lack of tension in spokes, pays to have wheel tension by shop every year. Once you start breaking spokes time to rebuild wheel as all spokes will have lost strength. If replacing spokes yourself take a good spoke from same wheel into shop for them to match it, buy a spare. There are dozens of lengths and gauges as I discovered after a couple of trips.

 

[bellandbottle]

Just an update to what transpired in my case, the specialist wheel builder could not get hold of the hub we selected - supply difficulties . He is held up on several jobs, with deliveries quoted as September/October..

Fortunately, DT Swiss has just brought out a range of wheels for ebikes, and heavier riders/weight carriers - HU 1900, at around $250. The wheel builder bought one in for me and worked his magic on it - it was fitted today.