log in
register

Suggestions for wheel upgrade from DT Swiss R460

  • Creator
    Topic
  • January 16, 2020 at 10:31 am #30417
    godot

    I’m looking for a wheelset to replace the DT R460s that came on my 2018 Specialized Allez Elite. I’ve been having continuous issues with broken spokes, mainly on the rear wheel.

    Specialized replaced the wheels for me when the hub seized (which was very nice of them) and almost immediately spokes started going on the replacement. I used a loan wheel that they gave me over winter and haven’t lost a single spoke so I know that it’s not the way I’m riding, so I assume there’s something up with this model of wheel. 

    My question is, what should I go for as a replacement wheelset? I commute around 120-150 miles a week so something hardwearing is a must. I’ve heard good things about Mavic Aksiums and they seem ridiculously cheap (£143 on Decathlon atm)… Does anyone have any recommendations?

    Cheers

  • Creator
    Topic
Viewing 15 replies - 1 through 15 (of 24 total)
1 2
  • Author
    Replies
  • January 21, 2020 at 7:11 am #955033
    0
    Chris Hayes

    I have a couple of pairs of

    I have a couple of pairs of handbuilt wheels built around Kinlin rims by Harry Rowland: great wheel-builder, and exceptionally comfortable wheels.  Hunt uses (and then labels) the same rims – and charges twice the price… I’d have no hesitation in recommending that you get handbuilt wheels and no hesitation in recommending Harry.  

    January 20, 2020 at 9:04 pm #955031
    0
    CXR94Di2

    Pilot Pete wrote:

    Pilot Pete wrote:

    CXR94Di2 wrote:
    Rebuild a DT Swiss R460 rim with 32 spoke version. You will need a new hub to match.
    err, isn’t that buying a new wheel then?sad

    PP

    Generally one wheel will be a hand custom build

    A quick Google sjscycles do rear for £109

    January 20, 2020 at 8:24 pm #955029
    0
    Dangerous Dan

    Welsh boy:

    Welsh boy:

                          I agree that high spoke counts do not guarantee a stronger wheel.  The Rolf wheels I have run for a year are 16/20 spoke wheels.  They use good design, good materials, and good build quality to make a very strong wheel.  

    The spokes are tiny, and there are only 20 in the rear wheel.  I had my doubts when they arrived, but they have taken year one and they are still as straight as the day the arrived and spoke tension is still uniform.  Yes, the Rolf wheels have a rather high flange hub which helps with the overall strength of the wheel. So it seems does the paired spoke design.  And no doubt the material used in the spokes helps as well.

    While adding spokes willl not insure a stronger wheel, it doesn’t hurt.  Nor do deep section wheels and high flange hubs.  The reason spokes fail is fatigue. more spokes means that the time each spoke is being flexed is less.  Using fatigue resistant materials helps a lot as well. 

    Our tandem has 24 spoke wheels, but the spokes are Polyphenylene Bensobisoxazole fiber. They do not fatigue.  We did break the rear while on tour in France last fall, but it was the RIM that failed, probably from one of the big hits it took on that trip.  Note well that Google will sometimes send you on “roads” that are mouontain bike trails.  Or unpaved farm paths.

     

    January 20, 2020 at 12:49 am #955027
    0
    Pilot Pete

    CXR94Di2 wrote:

    CXR94Di2 wrote:
    Rebuild a DT Swiss R460 rim with 32 spoke version. You will need a new hub to match.
    err, isn’t that buying a new wheel then?sad

    PP

    January 19, 2020 at 9:03 pm #955025
    0
    CXR94Di2

    Welsh boy wrote:

    Welsh boy wrote:

    Dangerous Dan wrote:
     Strong high spoke count wheels.

    Spoke count does not automaticcaly mean strength or lack of.  Back in the 1980’s when the norm was 36 spoke 3 cross wheels I built my first pair of wheels, 24 radial front, 28 one cross back on large flange hubs.  I rode time trials, road races, trained on them, commuted, went youth hostelling and even went touring loaded with panniers on them.  I never had to true them and the only spoke I broke was when they were about 5 years old (steel, chrome plated brittle spokes at that) so dont get hung up on spoke count, a properly built wheel with low spoke count can be strong.

    A properly built high spoke wheel will be stronger. There is only so much a 24 or less spoke wheel can take. My 24spoke wheels lasted 2 years then started popping. I run 32 spoke wheels now being 100kg no other issues since.

    If I was using my touring bike it will have 36 spokes

    January 19, 2020 at 10:52 am #955023
    0
    ibr17xvii

    Having had a couple of pairs

    Having had a couple of pairs of Aksiums have to say never had an issue.

    As a bomb proof winter wheel they are ideal & the freehub is easy to service even for someone like me!

    January 19, 2020 at 8:59 am #955021
    0
    Welsh boy

    Dangerous Dan wrote:

    Dangerous Dan wrote:
     Strong high spoke count wheels.

    Spoke count does not automaticcaly mean strength or lack of.  Back in the 1980’s when the norm was 36 spoke 3 cross wheels I built my first pair of wheels, 24 radial front, 28 one cross back on large flange hubs.  I rode time trials, road races, trained on them, commuted, went youth hostelling and even went touring loaded with panniers on them.  I never had to true them and the only spoke I broke was when they were about 5 years old (steel, chrome plated brittle spokes at that) so dont get hung up on spoke count, a properly built wheel with low spoke count can be strong.

    January 18, 2020 at 10:29 pm #955019
    0
    Rapha Nadal

    I’ll echo the hand built

    I’ll echo the hand built recommendations here.  Mavic back up is shite as it that from Fulcrum.  Having to order spokes from Germany when the distro HQ is 30 mins down the road and won’t sell any to you directly is utter lunacy!

    January 18, 2020 at 10:12 pm #955017
    0
    Jimmy Ray Will

    The rear wheel that comes
    The rear wheel that comes with the spec allez elite is the worst wheel I’ve ever ridden in nearly 30 years. Literally anything is better.
    Too few spokes, rim not stiff enough for the spoke count, and the lacing is shit… oh, plus the flange width is too narrow to support anything. Literally shite.

    January 18, 2020 at 9:53 pm #955015
    0
    Dangerous Dan

    About 40 years ago I was a
    About 40 years ago I was a wheel breaker. Like one rear wheel every 3 months. My LBS at the time built me an indestructible rear wheel: 40 spokes and a 20 mm rim. That wheel lasted about 40,000 miles.

    I am about 100 kilos and still fairly strong. I ride about 200 miles a week on the road bike.

    When a spoke broke I knew that the rest were suspect. I bought a set of Hope road hubs and had a set of 36 spoke wheels built with DT Swiss touring rims.

    They have about 10,000 miles on the clock. No issues what so ever.

    That is option one. Strong high spoke count wheels.

    Last year I decided to try a set of Rolf Echelon wheels. 3,000 miles and they are still absolutely straight.

    Option two: technology. Rolf uses a paired spoke set up. They seem to be holding up for me. They may not be available in the UK.

    January 18, 2020 at 8:11 pm #955013
    0
    vonhelmet

    I have one set of aksiums
    I have one set of aksiums that have been through the wringer, but are still in good nick, but I bought a second hand set and they’re well rusty. Not sure how they’ve got like that.

    January 18, 2020 at 6:31 pm #955011
    0
    Welsh boy

    Aksium wheels are great, I

    Aksium wheels are great, I have used them extensively, commuting, camping holidays in France, canal towpaths and regular 60 mile rides in the winter.  I am on my second pair, they are the only wheels I have bought a second pair of.  The bearings have outlasted those on much more expensive wheels and are you really worried about a couple of hunder grammes?

    January 18, 2020 at 6:09 pm #955009
    0
    CXR94Di2

    Rebuild a DT Swiss R460 rim
    Rebuild a DT Swiss R460 rim with 32 spoke version. You will need a new hub to match.

    I had some 24 spoke wheels which kept popping rear spokes. I had some 32 spoke DT swiss hubs so git some 32 rims to match- no more problems

    January 18, 2020 at 6:01 pm #955007
    0
    mike the bike

    DrG82 wrote:

    DrG82 wrote:
    My aksium wheels are crap, the spokes are mild steel and rusting like an old trawler. And pretty much every spoke nipple has seized because of the mixed metals creating galvanic corrosion. Yes they are on a commuter bike but I really tried to keep on top of cleaning and servicing and greased all the nipples every time I washed it.

     

    Are you sure your Aksium spokes are mild steel?  Their product catalogue specifies stainless and mine have certainly been that too.  The nipples should be brass and this is generally reckoned to be the best material for keeping corrosion to a minimum.  

    A useful tip given to me years ago, and which I would recommend, is to smear vegetable oil               (basically any cooking oil) around the nipples two or three times every winter.  This keeps them lubed but won’t affect the inner tube or tyre if it penetrates the rim through the spoke hole.  I’ve passed on that pearl of wisdom to dozens of riders and have had only good comments. 

    Best of luck.

    January 18, 2020 at 5:42 pm #955005
    0
    MTB Refugee

    For commuting you should

    For commuting you should probably be thinking about getting a nice strong wheelset, so I wouldn’t be looking at anything “race” or “performance”.

    I upgraded to the DT Swiss ER1400 wheelset which are in the enduro range (that’s what the ER part of the name means). They are still plenty light and strong to go with it. The rim profile is wider than the performance rims which helps with fatter tyres (I run 38mm tyres on the ER1400s). If the 1400s are a bit too expensive, then the 1600s or 1800s are all great wheels. I’ve got 2 sets of DT wheels, P1800s that the bike came with for skinny slicks with and ER1400s for the fatties. Both have been flawless.

  • Author
    Replies
Viewing 15 replies - 1 through 15 (of 24 total)
1 2
  • You must be logged in to reply to this topic.