Pro-Connect Rear Wheel

[c_elder]

One of my rear wheel spokes, also on a Pro-Connect, broke near the hub yesterday :-(

Took it to Evans. They didn't have the part but more importantly didn't have a slot free in their workshop for 16 days! :-((

Their mechanic said that for the weight of the bike, the Pro-Connect is under-spoked. He expected at least 36 spokes (to the current 24).

Will contact 50Cycles on Monday. They have been very helpful.

I meant to post this earlier but a combination of a busy job and an attention seeking 3 year old - well dads will understand...

I broke 2 and bent a further spoke on the WH-8R25 rear wheel of my Pro Connect in September this year. Just to put it in context, I only use the Pro Connect to commute between Richmond Park and Canary Wharf in London, a round trip of about 35 miles. The breaks came over a 4 week period.

50 Cycles replaced the wheel with an SG-S501 Alfine 36 spoke wheel (this is the replacement as 50 Cycles told me that Shimano has stopped making the WH-8R25 - draw your own conclusions).

50 Cycles responded professionally and quickly to my phone calls. The whole thing took about a month due to slowness at my end (job and child as stated before). Unfortunately, I haven't been really able to stress test the new wheel due to winter and recovering from flu.

The whole replacement was free. 50 Cycles has some kind of deal with a cycle hire shop in Richmond and the mechanic there did the job (very nice guy - would recommend!).

Of course, the whole experience was not positive but given that mechanical problems do happen, the service received was excellent - it shows that I can expect good after-sales support.

 

[swinnerton]

My wife and I bought two Pro Connects from 50 cycles ealier this year I had a problem with my pro connect rear wheel whilst on holiday in Provence in September basically the rear wheel collapsed and buckled making the bike unridable...local velo man tried to straighten it but probably made it more buckled ...50 cycles refused to replace under warranty but supplied me with a new 36 spoke wheel and Alfine hub tyre and tube for £100 including carriage.I was told it is impossible to source a 24 spoke rim so the only solution is to change the whole assembly......if you hit a pot hole and buckle the rim it is going to be an expensive business!!
New assembly with Alfine hub feels so much better silky gear change and ride with 36 spokes is much improved.....now my wife wants to change to a new hub/wheel !

 

[tillson]

Sorry if I am being a bit slow here.

Are you saying that when I need to replace the rear rim on my Pro-Connect because of damage or wear, I will have to buy a whole new gear hub costing ???? because they no longer support 24 spoke rims? If so, this is astonishing, I have only had the bike for just over 3 months!

Regards

Tom

 

[WALKERMAN]

Replacement Wheels

Sorry if I am being a bit slow here.

Are you saying that when I need to replace the rear rim on my Pro-Connect because of damage or wear, I will have to buy a whole new gear hub costing ???? because they no longer support 24 spoke rims? If so, this is astonishing, I have only had the bike for just over 3 months!

Regards

Tom

I find this extremely worrying having recently bought a Pro Connect, believing it to be all the latest components.
I hope 50Cycles post here with some sort of reassurance.
I was considering buying a second Pro Connect but this revelation has put that on hold

 

[JamesC]

I find this extremely worrying having recently bought a Pro Connect, believing it to be all the latest components.
I hope 50Cycles post here with some sort of reassurance.
I was considering buying a second Pro Connect but this revelation has put that on hold

It is sensible to wait until the 2009 models for the UK are confirmed.

Looking at the new ProConnect models on the Kalkhoff site, the familiar style of ProConnect is now fitted with the Alfine version of the Nexus 8, and the picture shows the 36 spoke version.

Rims and spokes will be easy to source to suit the 36 spoke (or 32 spoke) version; the Alfine hub itself was widely available until 6 or 8 weeks ago, but seems to be in short supply at the moment.

50C will probably know more on availability.

James

 

[burncycle]

As many will know, my Pro Connect too had rear wheel problems.
It developed a constant squeeking on rotation.
50cycle retightened the wheel, but it returned again in 2 weeks.
They had to strip the bike down and reassemble and now it seems fine.

regards Bob.

 

[Mattyduk]

hmmm. I've just preordered a pro connect. I understood they that had some of the best reliability and components of the current range of e-bikes.

I will be very disappointed if it developers any faults that require me to send the bike back in the first year, especially with my tiny 7 miles a day.

A quick question. How would I sent it back ? Courier ?

 

[burncycle]

hmmm. I've just preordered a pro connect. I understood they that had some of the best reliability and components of the current range of e-bikes.

I will be very disappointed if it developers any faults that require me to send the bike back in the first year, especially with my tiny 7 miles a day.

A quick question. How would I sent it back ? Courier ?

Yes, as i say my bike has been back to 50cycles twice and I am lucky enough to live 50min drive from them.
Keep your box cus 50cycles want you to put it back in the old box and you'll have to find packaging and prepare your bike for return yourself.
That's packaging tape (£5) and labels and any other stuff (another £5).

In reflection I would have bought the new xbyke. its much cheaper and looks great.

Regards Bob.

 

[wotwozere]

Hi Bob

You sound like an old women how hard is it to put something in a box, good your wife must have trouble with you.

How do you get through life.

thx

Bob

 

[burncycle]

Hi Bob

You sound like an old women how hard is it to put something in a box, good your wife must have trouble with you.

How do you get through life.

thx

Bob

I find your post directed towards me as both personal and insulting.

Please read the forum rules........

2. Be nice to each other - no personal attacks on other users.

3. Defamatory, obscene, indecent, lewd, pornographic, violent, abusive, insulting, threatening and harassing comments are not tolerated.


I will report this post from you to the forum administrator.

 

[wotwozere]

boooohooooo

Hi

Like I said, look at your repsonse, speaks for itself.

I am telling my mummy ........
thx

Bob

 

[tillson]

hmmm. I've just preordered a pro connect. I understood they that had some of the best reliability and components of the current range of e-bikes.

From a personal point of view, my Pro Connect hasn't developed any serious problems and the components seem to be of a very good standard. The two problems that I have had, a faulty charger and a snapped prop stand (my fault), 50 C have sorted within 24 hours.

The wheel does worry me though as spares /support for the 24 spoke design seems thin on the ground and I believe that the 24 spoke gear hub is no longer in production. It just makes me wonder what I will do if ever I need a new rim. Buy a new hub gear as well? ££££££.

It may be that the latest Pro Cs don't use the 24 spoke wheel if it is true that they are no longer in production.

Edit: Gentlemen, can we please return this discussion to the subject of the Pro Cs rear wheel. Thank you.

 

[burncycle]

Hi

Like I said, look at your repsonse, speaks for itself.

I am telling my mummy ........
thx

Bob

What you need to understand is that you wont get away with this sort of behaviour in your posts.
I was a bit like that earlier this year and I nearly got kicked off because of it.
Try and change and you'll stay on the forum alot longer.

 

[Mattyduk]

From a personal point of view, my Pro Connect hasn't developed any serious problems and the components seem to be of a very good standard. The two problems that I have had, a faulty charger and a snapped prop stand (my fault), 50 C have sorted within 24 hours.

The wheel does worry me though as spares /support for the 24 spoke design seems thin on the ground and I believe that the 24 spoke gear hub is no longer in production. It just makes me wonder what I will do if ever I need a new rim. Buy a new hub gear as well? ££££££.

It may be that the latest Pro Cs don't use the 24 spoke wheel if it is true that they are no longer in production.

well, thats a bit more comforting. The bike does come with a 2 year guarantee, so any problems or the inability of them to get me spares, and I'll get a refund. Hopefully it will be all right

 

[Danny-K]

hmmm. I've just preordered a pro connect. I understood they that had some of the best reliability and components of the current range of e-bikes.

I will be very disappointed if it developers any faults that require me to send the bike back in the first year, especially with my tiny 7 miles a day.

A quick question. How would I sent it back ? Courier ?

As regards spoke breakages in the rear wheel I think you needn't worry unduly as the current Pro Connect's all come with 36 spoked wheels. The majority of problems reported that I have read of, appeared to originate from mostly those owners with the measly 24 spoked wheels. An older thread somewhere on here centred on the pro's and cons of 24 spoked wheels versus 36 spoked wheels. With the more experienced riders having a hard time making their case heard for a 36 spoked wheel as the best choice for heavy e-bikes. Time has subsequently proved them correct. I think the message has got home and I doubt very much your Pro Connect will arrive with the infamous 24 spoked wheels.

 

[Danny-K]

...The wheel does worry me though as spares /support for the 24 spoke design seems thin on the ground and I believe that the 24 spoke gear hub is no longer in production. It just makes me wonder what I will do if ever I need a new rim. Buy a new hub gear as well? ££££££.

It may be that the latest Pro Cs don't use the 24 spoke wheel if it is true that they are no longer in production...

Tillson - If ever I fall upon a cheap large framed Pro Connect, (eBay I s'pose), I already have my plans drawn out ready: The rear wheel would immediately be auctioned off on eBay possibly as a spare for worried 24 spoker owners. I would then have my wheel-builder of choice put together a top notch 36 spoked wheel coupled with a SRAM dual-drive gear system. Flecc has pointed out shortcomings in that proposal on another thread but did opine a possible way out of the dilemma, which I would investigate further.

- But continue to worry about spares and support for the 24 spoked option - Nah! It was an ill-advised concept for a 'heavy' ebike to start with.

 

[Mattyduk]

As regards spoke breakages in the rear wheel I think you needn't worry unduly as the current Pro Connect's all come with 36 spoked wheels. The majority of problems reported that I have read of, appeared to originate from mostly those owners with the measly 24 spoked wheels. An older thread somewhere on here centred on the pro's and cons of 24 spoked wheels versus 36 spoked wheels. With the more experienced riders having a hard time making their case heard for a 36 spoked wheel as the best choice for heavy e-bikes. Time has subsequently proved them correct. I think the message has got home and I doubt very much your Pro Connect will arrive with the infamous 24 spoked wheels.

thanks very much for that. It is a brand new one that had to be ordered in, so I'll query with Lloyd to make sure it is a 36 spoke version.

cheers

Mat

 

[timelordUK]

2 weeks after my last spoke breakage... I am still off the road.
Had one replacement 36spoke wheel which had a faulty hub - would not change past 4th gear.
No more replacments in stock...
can not source a 260mm 13 gauage spoke from anywhere except 50cycles...
They send out a tempory spoke, but I made a typo in my email request and put 240mm instead of 260..... so I got 240mm spoke... could kick myself.
This is too much to bear from a 1500 bike.

Don't get me wrong... I love riding it..... I now HATE driving... but for the want of a spoke... this really takes the ****....

But.... have to say 50cycles.. have all been brilliant with this sorting things out as quickly as they can.... all the problems have been with stock running out, royal mail and the post room at my work...

I will reiterate... 50cycles have been more than accomodating with my frustrations... (sorry guys)