gearbasher

Maybe this should be in the mechanics section, but since all the bikes are steel and the youngest is 14 years old, I'll post here.

After a ride on my mid '80's Maza Prestige about three weeks ago, I disovered this on the rear rim:



OK, no big deal. It was a cheap set of factory wheels ($200 for the pair). I got about 40,000 miles out of them. The bike needed an overhaul, anyhow. So, I bought a cheap replacement rim and stripped the bike down to the frame. I figured I'll take my time. I have 4 more bikes.
So, I break out my Titan (one of those NOS ones from ebay a few years back). About a week ago, just before a ride, I see this on the rear rim:



Now, these little "stress cracks" were present on almost all the drive side spokes. This pissed me off. I built this wheel. I tend to keep my spokes on the tighter side, but I do not go over most manufacturer's recommendations. It is an Ambrosio excellence rim and Ambrosio sucks for giving out tech. specs. So, I guess-timated the tension. It had only about 12,000 miles on it. I built it with the same tension as another Excellence rear wheel I built that has 25k on it and is still going strong. I'm wondering if I got a "second" when I bought this rim? When it was new, two of the eyelets were loose and the weld at the seam is horrible:



Anyhow, I shrugged it off. This bike needed an overhaul also, so it's stripped to the frame and I ordered a DT Swiss rim to replace the Ambrosio. Hey, I still have three more bikes.

So, out comes my '97 Guerciotti PRX. Love that bike. Today, I'm riding about 14MPH, Chewing the fat with another biker. I stood up, gave one pedal stroke and ping...there goes a spoke.

Gotta go. I have some wrenching to do....Thanks for listening.

Collin2424

Man, that sucks. Unfortunate luck. Take it as a compliment - you must be a strong rider

Sorry for your troubles.

-Collin-

Beach Comber

Sounds like you 'spoke' too soon......

nlerner

When it rains, it pours! Sorry about those wheel troubles.

Neal

noglider 

Good thing you're a good enough mechanic to notice before they broke catastrophically.

miamijim

Welcome to the world of hardened/anodized rims.

Bianchigirll 

sorry to hear of your rim troubles, just be glad it is only 3 more bikes

sailorbenjamin

Well, my 2 favorite bikes have low tire pressure and my pump is leaking. My neighbor's pump has a worn out head. Pops off before you get what you want out of it.
I tuned up the car Sunday morning, all ready to drive up to Albany to get this old bike I've been pining after for a while and notice that I sorta broke the radiator while doing the tune up.
Then my wife notices that the kids are all scratching their heads. Lice. They've all got lice. We've all got lice. Spent the evening combing kids and laundering everything in the house instead of driving to Albany.
Got all the parts yesterday afternoon, May as well do the hoses, funky engine mount and cracked power steering hose while my fingers are greasy. Fought it till midnight.
This morning the sitter called to say she and her daughter have the stomach flu. Ok, I'll watch the kids and put the car back together at the same time.
Done. Now the modem's not responding. Can't return all those emails I've been putting off or even call the guy in Albany (his number is in an email).
Ok. Modem's up. Car's running. Kids are in bed. Time for some Bike Forum and a beer.
I should probably look at my rims.

Grand Bois

Looks like Jobst Brandt was right about that.

https://www.sheldonbrown.com/brandt/anodized-rims.html

knoregs

You should change your nick from gearbasher to rimcracker or spokepopper and then add a little notch or mark in your signature every time you trash a wheel. Then you wont feel so bad.

~kn

Collin2424

I know you didn't intend it this way, bit I thoroughly enjoyed reading that

Hope all is well finally!

-Collin-

hueyhoolihan

good god! head lice?

what have you guys been doing? playing kissyface with a weasel?

maybe you should check for scurvy too...

pretty funny read really. had to laugh.

sailorbenjamin

Well, I've got 3 daughters and a wife in the school. We get whatever comes around.

hueyhoolihan

understood...