Is it my fault?

[JamesC]

Well, I would be inclined to have a full rebuild done with all new spokes.

It is difficult for me to speak for Wispers because I have not owned one and there are many members here who do, and I don't recall there being many issues with spokes reported.

With the Torq, there were several people who had spoke failures and several who had none.

I probably went further than neccessary http://www.pedelecs.co.uk/forum/electric-bicycles/1770-building-new-wheel-torq.html and http://www.pedelecs.co.uk/forum/technical/1942-front-wheel-rebuild-suzhou-bafang-hub-motor-ezee-torq-1-a.html which make for heavyweight reading.

If you continue to fit spokes individually, I would recommend marking the new spokes as they go in so that you can determine if future failures are coming from the original set.

I was very pleased with the use of thinner diameter spokes that can cope better with the connection to the large hub, which tends to ask the spoke to bend more than usual.

What is the spoke length for the 26" Wisper wheel ?

James

 

[Blew it]

Rebuild!

Mussels,

Your rear wheel is really a lost cause, It needs to be rebuilt!.

Many of the spokes have now been replaced by yourself, unless you have used a proper tensioning tool, then it is now possible the loading is not being shared equally by all the spokes.

I admire your determination to resolve this issue but quite simply, this is going to finish up with a complete wheel collapse with possible damage to both yourself and your machine.

I realise this may inconvenience you, but I firmly believe it is the only way you are ever going to regain the dependability you need as a commuter.

Regards

Bob

 

[Mussels]

Hi Mussels

The spokes can be a little fragile but that is mainly because we are using stainless steel which tends to be a little more brittle than standard spokes but will never rust think that judging by the very few problems we hear about concerning spokes it is a price worth paying.

I would be interested to hear your views on this.

Best regards David

After the last two posts it looks like stainless steel may well be too brittle for what I need, facing a major repair job after two weeks is a little disappointing. Do you think it could be a bad batch?

 

[Mussels]

Another two today, time to find a local shop to do a rebuild.
Thing is should I stick with the 13g or go for 14g?

Edit: For a rebuild can the hub be disconnected and removed or does the mechanic need to do it on the bike?

 

[ElephantsGerald]

Another two today, time to find a local shop to do a rebuild.
Thing is should I stick with the 13g or go for 14g?

Edit: For a rebuild can the hub be disconnected and removed or does the mechanic need to do it on the bike?

Mussels,

It sounds like you're having a really hard time with your spokes. It must be very frustrating.

It seems very odd that you're having so much trouble as I can't remember any other Wisper owners posting about similar problems.

I would definitely get a wheel re-build done by a good bike shop, and see if you can get WEVCO to investigate the problem too; they're good 'ol boys so they might even cover the cost of the rebuild if you ask nicely .

Regards,

Elephants

 

[Mussels]

Mussels,

It sounds like you're having a really hard time with your spokes. It must be very frustrating.

It seems very odd that you're having so much trouble as I can't remember any other Wisper owners posting about similar problems.

I would definitely get a wheel re-build done by a good bike shop, and see if you can get WEVCO to investigate the problem too; they're good 'ol boys so they might even cover the cost of the rebuild if you ask nicely .

Regards,

Elephants

I would like their opinion as it is a very simple spoke arrangement and may not need to go into a shop. The wheel is almost spot on now and I understand most wheel builders aim for a tolerance of 2mm, that can't be hard in this wheel so all I need to do is get the correct tension.
I'm practiced with replacing spokes and can fit an oversize one in a couple of minutes, at least I can get home and back if I buy a few more today.

I would like to know the answers to the wheel rebuild as if I start breaking loads of spokes then I'll want to get it done in a hurry.

 

[JamesC]

Another two today, time to find a local shop to do a rebuild.
Thing is should I stick with the 13g or go for 14g?

Edit: For a rebuild can the hub be disconnected and removed or does the mechanic need to do it on the bike?

Spokes - several things to think about.

The combination of a large diameter hub motor with widely spaced flanges means that the spokes required are shorter than on regular bikes, particularly with 26" rims and smaller.

The diameter of the holes in the Suzhou Bafang motor, and the thickness of the motor flange are best suited to 13g (2.3 mm) at the motor end of the spoke.

"Single Butted" spokes, such as DT Swiss Alpine, are 13g at the hook (motor) end AND have a long hook that works well with the thick flange. The centre section and the rim end are 14g (2.0 mm), giving them more flexibility where they need to flex.

"Double Butted" spokes, such as DT Swiss Alpine III, are similar at the two ends, but have an even smaller diameter (1.8 mm) central section. I believe that the shortest Alpine III that DT Swiss make is 245 mm.

I don't know the Wisper rim, but I imagine that the holes are designed for the standard 13g spokes.

So the obvious answer is to obtain Plain 13g spokes and nipples from Wisper, and rely on a good quality rebuild.

An alternative would be to purchase a European rim (spoke holes are usually for 14g / 2.0 mm spokes) and use DT Alpine double butted spokes, if the correct length can be obtained.

What is the standard length of spokes on the rear wheel of a Wisper bike, and are the spokes the same length for both flanges ?

To verify spoke length and availability, you would want need to know the details of the motor flanges - number of holes, pitch circle of the holes (PCD), distance between flanges and offset from the centre line of the rim. (Wisper or other owners can help you with this info).

If you have these details of motor hub, SJS in Somerset may be able to advise on spokes because they handle large diameter geared hubs and therefore use short spokes quite frequently.

If you are interested in learning more about wheelbuilding, Roger Musson's book is very good - here.

James

 

[Mussels]

What is the standard length of spokes on the rear wheel of a Wisper bike, and are the spokes the same length for both flanges ?

Depending on how it is measured (inside or outside of the elbow) about 200mm, I haven't found anywhere that sells these so anything other than single thickness is probably out of the question.
Thanks for the info, it clarifies my options quite well.

 

[Mussels]

Well I got the wheel rebuilt and it lasted all of 5 miles before breaking another spoke, now I have a loan bike and the retailer is going back to Wisper on Tuesday.

 

[JohnInStockie]

I'm flabbergasted. Ive never known anyone go through so many spokes without trying to jump things

Any idea on is it always the same node on the hub/wheel that is breaking?

John

 

[Mussels]

I'm flabbergasted. Ive never known anyone go through so many spokes without trying to jump things

Any idea on is it always the same node on the hub/wheel that is breaking?

John

It wasn't always in the same place and the first spoke to break this time is not the first spoke to break before (one was by the reflector).
The only pattern I can see is they tend to break a few minutes after I have crested a hill.

 

[Wisper Bikes]

Spokes

Hi Mussels

I must say it's a little strange that you are experiencing so many spoke problems. I am no lightweight at 20 stone and have not experienced any problems, if you have time please call me on 07733226906 so we can chat about it.

All the best David

 

[Mussels]

Hi Mussels

I must say it's a little strange that you are experiencing so many spoke problems. I am no lightweight at 20 stone and have not experienced any problems, if you have time please call me on 07733226906 so we can chat about it.

All the best David

I left you a voicemail earlier but in case you didn't get my number I'll send an email with details.