Snapping spokes on e tandem

[maxb]

I have A Trek T900 tandem with a rear wheel motor e bike conversion supplied and fitted by Woosh cycles. I am having issues with the spokes snapping, usually two per 30 mile ride.
Is this to be expected with this kind of setup in a tandem?
Any ideas why this would be happening ?
Thinking about getting the wheel 're built would it be best to send it to someone experienced in e bike wheels or would any wheel builder be ok ?

Thanks Max

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[Deleted member 4366]

I guess you have 13g straight spoke, which seem to give a lot of problems. If it were my bike, I'd change to 14g single butted or double butted spokes, which will be more elastic, which makes them more robust against many of the problems that cause stiffer spokes to break.

 

[Woosh]

Hello Max,

Your wheel may need truing. Could you bring it in one day in the week? It will take about 30 minutes to fix.

 

[mike killay]

My experience with snapping spokes is that the problem first arose when I tried to ride off with the security chain in the back wheel.
After replacing about 10 spokes, I took it to a wheel builder who found that all the spokes had been inserted from one side only.
He rectified this and the wheel was ok for a few months but soon began the dreaded clicking sound.
I tightened them up and all is OK.
My conclusion is that regular pinging is necessary.
One problem with stainless spokes is that they don't rust, so don't become rusted solid, consequently they can unwind.
Although I am uncertain, alloy wheels may not be so solid as the old steel wheels and the spoke holes might be subject to plastic deformation.
generally, a spoke only needs a few turns from very loose to correct, so the slightest, invisible to the naked eye deformation would account for a loose spoke.

 

[maxb]

I guess you have 13g straight spoke, which seem to give a lot of problems. If it were my bike, I'd change to 14g single butted or double butted spokes, which will be more elastic, which makes them more robust against many of the problems that cause stiffer spokes to break.

Hi Yes it does have the 13g spokes which tend to break off at the elbow so maybe a change to the 14g spokes would make sense if there stong enough for the loads a tandem puts though the wheel.

Max

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[maxb]

Hello Max,

Your wheel may need truing. Could you bring it in one day in the week? It will take about 30 minutes to fix.

Hi thanks for the reply.

The wheel has gone out of true after its last spoke snapping episode so it
defiantly needs a 're true.
I will give you a call Monday.

Max

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[Deleted member 4366]

14g will be more than strong enough.