Replace 14 gauge spokes with 12 gauge?

[dilkes]

I have a front-wheel geared kit on my bike which has 700C wheels and 3 speed internal Nexus hub on the rear. Battery is 10Ah LiFePO4 in an alloy case mounted on rear rack.

I am continually breaking spokes (14 gauge) on the rear wheel. The front wheel (with the motor) has 12 gauge and I have no problem with that. I am wondering if it's feasible/advisable/practical to get the rear wheel re-laced with 12 gauge spokes? I am guessing there is just too much weight there with battery and a rather "husky" rider.

Anyone have any suggestions or experience on this? Would it help? and if I got a shop to do it, any idea of cost? Or any other thoughts on how to mitigate this problem?

Thanks for any guidance.

 

[bowlofsalad]

I am assuming you are riding within typical electric bicycle weights and speeds, not an electric motorcycle weights and speeds.

I don't know what you've tried to change, but common ideas that might relate to spoke breakage on a bicycle is improper spoke tension one one or several spokes, or really poorly made spokes. It is easy to assume that thicker is better, but for spokes using a bicycle rim, thinner is better. I might suggest that instead of considering using 12ga spokes that you use butted spokes, something like 13/14, 13/15/14 or 14/15/14. These spokes are strong where they need to be but are still able to achieve the appropriate amount of stretch that will allow the spoke to stay under tension while being ridden.

In my mind, the best build wheel for a bicycle or electric bicycle involves 13/15/14 spokes, a very strong rim with as high as possible spoke tension even across all of the spokes.

If you were using a motorcycle rim, you could probably use 12ga spokes, not to suggest this is an appropriate route for you at all.

Danscomp.com sells spokes for incredibly great prices which include polyax nipples and odd lengths, though they don't sell 13/15/14 spokes, they do sell 13/14 and 14/15/14 spokes, sapim is a great brand of spoke. I would have ended up paying 2-3 times as much for spokes else where as I did getting them from danscomp.

If I were you, I'd rebuild the rear wheel (and probably the front too) using quality butted spokes and a great rim. Breaking spokes sucks, reliable wheels are worth it.

You did say you were 'husky', but that is pretty vague, around how much do you weigh?

 

[999zip999]

Some rims just have cheap spokes or not under tension. Where the spokes breaking ? It very hard to get tension on 12 ga. Spokes in a bike rim as they are not disign for a bike rim.

 

[MadRhino]

I just did the opposite. Relaced my cromotor 1 that had done 35 000 km laced in a Halo SAS with 12 ga Sapim SS spokes, now with 14 ga DT Swiss. I still used rim washers and flange washers, and lacing very tight.

A wheel is good when true aned tight, no matter the size of the spokes. Lighter means better performance, that is the reason I used smaller spokes this time. It may not do as many Km, or probably require more frequent trueing, but it will have better acceleration. The Halo was broken on a stone after a lot of abuse, now using a lighter MTX 39 to try.

 

[wesnewell]

No, thinner is not better. If you're breaking spokes it's because they are either lousy grade of spoke or they aren't installed properly, or both. They usually break because they are not tight enough or they are tightened unevenly around the wheel. So let's drop this myth about thinner spokes being better. Common sense says otherwise and so will strength test. It may be harder to get 12g spokes tensioned right than 14G spokes, but done right they are stronger.

 

[mlt34]

It's very strange that you're breaking so many spokes in your non hub motor wheel. I assume this is the wheel that came with the bike? Is it newish or still under warranty? You shouldn't be breaking spokes like that, and you're probably pedaling less than the bike was designed for since you have electric drive, meaning you should be stressing the rear spokes even less than normal.

 

[Punx0r]

So let's drop this myth about thinner spokes being better. Common sense says otherwise and so will strength test. It may be harder to get 12g spokes tensioned right than 14G spokes, but done right they are stronger.

That assumes a rim stiff enough to take the appropriate tension of 12ga spokes. Conventional wisdom on this forum is that most bicycle rims are not up to the job.

 

[johnrobholmes]

Where is the breakage occurring?