Ti spokes breaking

[Elefantino]

Broke my second ti spoke in 3 rides today, on Rolf Sestrieres. I have about 500-600 miles on them and never had problems until recently. Checked all the nipples, etc., and everything looks good. But two thwwwaaaaaaannnngs in the last three rides makes me wonder.

And it's not like I weigh a ton: 178.

I replaced the last broken ti spoke with a DT 14-15 stainless. Don't think that would cause a second break.

Who has experience with ti spokes?

[JohnS]

I've had Rolf Sestrieres on my bike for 6000+ miles with no problems.

[ergott]

Rolf S didn't come with ti spokes.

[Elefantino]

Nope. Didn't come with them standard, but had them when I bought them from a racer. And the rear rim was NOS.

[ergott]

That explains it. Can you describe the stamping on the spoke head or even take a pic? I'd like to see what brand of spoke.

[ergott]

Oh yeah, where are they breaking? A pic of the break could help figure things out.

[pdxmech13]

Marwi tastic.

spokes weren't set rite

[ergott]

Marwi tastic.

spokes weren't set rite

If you know that for a fact that is a very viable explanation.

[pdxmech13]

you know why they break as much as me.

stress box is key with any paired high tension.

I've built tons with and without.

stress box makes the job a lot easier.

[stevep]

replace with steel spokes.
problem gone.

[Ti Designs]

replace with steel spokes.
problem gone.


I would much rather argue about why spokes break than ride my bike - leave the common sense solutions out of this!!!

[Elefantino]

That explains it. Can you describe the stamping on the spoke head or even take a pic? I'd like to see what brand of spoke.

They appear to have a "CI" or a "CII" stamp on the head (or maybe it's "ID" upside down).

The breaks are clean, square breaks approximately 1 inch from the hub. No crimping or bending, just a snap.

[Frustration]

you know why they break as much as me.

stress box is key with any paired high tension.

I've built tons with and without.

stress box makes the job a lot easier.


With Paired spokes at high tension, having a steel next to a Ti might be problem number two?

[zap]

I built a wheelset with Union Ti spokes some time ago.

Within 2000 miles, spokes on the none drive side would break right at the elbow. I think it was the pulling spokes that were the problem. What I suspect happened is that the pulling spokes on the non drive side moved around a bit and the elbows would work harden, become brittle and snap. Or it could have been a simple fatigue failure but doubt that since I've built wheels using the same model hubs and rims before using ss spokes with no problems.

After the 3rd non drive side ti spoke broke, I replaced all the pulling spokes with ss and all was well for the next 13k or so miles.

Ti spokes on the drive side and front wheel held up fine for 15K + miles.

Today we have DT Revolution spokes, Sampim Cxray and the Wheelsmith equivalent so from a weight weenie standpoint why bother with ti spokes.

[Elefantino]

Hmmm. Both have been non-drive side.

[pdxmech13]

poor build plain and simple !