Loosened spokes/Wisper 905

[allen-uk]

Just taken my Wisper 905 in to my local bike shop for a 300 mile service (first since new), as it's easier than trying to transport it to my Wisper dealer. (LBS is just round the corner!)

Anyway, point is this: the Wisper manual does mention that checking spoke tension is a Big Deal and must be done at 300 miles, which I passed on to my LBS guy, who pinged a few spokes and shook his head, saying that most of the front ones were 'very' loose, and quite a few back ones could do with tightening.

Which was the first time in 50+ years that I'd appreciated the need for good spoke tension.

So, any Wisper riders, do remember to check those spokes.

Q for those that know: is it just Wispers that suffer from this, or is it common to ebikes, and either way, any reasons?


A.

 

[flecc]

I've found it on other e-bike makes and also on normal bikes. I think some of the cause is due to automatic wheel building machines, but spokes should be checked after the initial few hundred miles anyway since they do stretch a bit with first use.
.

 

[Wisper Bikes]

Hi Allen

The spokes should have been checked and adjusted during the pre delivery inspection so I am surprised they were so loose. Did you buy the bike over the internet?

It is still important to have spokes checked every few hundred miles especially on the driving wheel, it keeps the rims true and lessens the chances of spoke breakage.

All the best

David

 

[jerrysimon]

This is interesting in that I have been reading a lot about good hand built wheels.

According to the experts if they are initially built well, then they should never require subsequent spoke adjustment after being ridden. Subsequent loose/failed spokes are considered evidence that the wheel builder needs more practise.

I have to say as an amateur wheel builder myself, I have not reached that stage yet

Maybe powered wheels are different

Regards

Jerry

 

[allen-uk]

Did you buy the bike over the internet?


David

It's probably jet-lag, David. I bought it from you, at Woking...


Allen.

 

[eddieo]

This is interesting in that I have been reading a lot about good hand built wheels.

According to the experts if they are initially built well, then they should never require subsequent spoke adjustment after being ridden. Subsequent loose/failed spokes are considered evidence that the wheel builder needs more practise.

I have to say as an amateur wheel builder myself, I have not reached that stage yet

Maybe powered wheels are different

Regards

Jerry

After the wheel failure on my first bike and the rebuild by SJS, I know my wheel was bomb proof and required no attention(I sold the bike a year later) I think Mussels who has a long commute had a similar experience. So yes a hand built rim by someone who knows what they are doing is obviously better....

 

[flecc]

According to the experts if they are initially built well, then they should never require subsequent spoke adjustment after being ridden.

True, since a good hand build stretches the spokes into a settled final condition. On many bikes it's automatic wheel building machines that are to blame for inadequate delivery tensions. They appear to aim primarily for trueness, sometimes at the cost of full tensioning, even leaving some very slack spokes at times.
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[Wisper Bikes]

It's probably jet-lag, David. I bought it from you, at Woking...


Allen.

Hi Allen

I assume you mean Powarider? That is Steve Mill's company, Powarider is a Wisper Main Service dealer for Wisper (and others).

We have contracted our UK service to Steve's main business CycleTech with Norman being more in the background now.

I will have a chat to Steve about spoke checks during the POI.

All the best

David

 

[allen-uk]

I assume you mean Powarider? That is Steve Mill's company, Powarider is a Wisper Main Service dealer for Wisper (and others).
David

Yes indeed. Confused. I had thought that Steve Was Wisper, and David Was Wisper. Now I know differently, I will address my queries with more care.

So where are you based, David, if not Woking?


Allen.

 

[Wisper Bikes]

True, since a good hand build stretches the spokes into a settled final condition. On many bikes it's automatic wheel building machines that are to blame for inadequate delivery tensions. They appear to aim primarily for trueness, sometimes at the cost of full tensioning, even leaving some very slack spokes at times.
.

Hi Tony

As you quite correctly point out most bike wheels are made on rather clever auto wheel building machines to keep costs down. However our wheels are then hand checked and adjusted and should be re-checked during POI. Since we introduced hand adjustment at the end of the manufacturing progress about a year ago the incidence of broken spokes has reduced massively. Consequently, we are now very rarely asked for replacement. If anyone is having any spoke problems whatsoever please contact us, spokes are replaced free under warranty.

All the best

David

 

[Wisper Bikes]

Yes indeed. Confused. I had thought that Steve Was Wisper, and David Was Wisper. Now I know differently, I will address my queries with more care.

So where are you based, David, if not Woking?


Allen.

Hi Allen, in your case it is confusing as Steve is both your supplier and the Wisper service contact as he owns and runs both Cycle-Tech and Powarider!

Please speak to Steve regarding anything Wisper.

We are based in Sway, in the New Forest.

All the best

David