Technical > Wheels, Tyres and Brakes
Nomad Mk3 26inch or 700c
mickeg:
I think you can't switch to 36 spoke. The shell is shaped for either 16 or 18 spokes on each side.
Could it have been a bad batch of spokes? I think it was over a decade ago, Sapim had a bad batch of metal and made a lot of defective spokes. I assume your spokes were much newer than that batch. That bad batch, the spokes often broke in the middle, not the ends.
The only spokes I have ever had break were on an early 1960s tubular tire wheel.
I got a dent in a spoke on my Rohloff wheel, see photo, but the spoke did not break. My spokes are Wheelsmith which is no longer in business. When I got home, I replaced that dented spoke.
dsim:
--- Quote from: PH on October 31, 2024, 12:18:56 AM ---For heavily loaded touring, I'm not sure you'll see much benefit swapping 26" to 27.5, there's only one way to know, unless you can borrow some.
I'm a bit surprised you broke spokes, I've broken more hubs than spokes! Actually, I've never broken a spoke on a Rohloff wheel, was it a SJS build?
--- End quote ---
I think I'm going to stick with 26 inch now as 40mm is too narrow and 650b seems like it might be more complication for little benefit. Even though 26 inch is slowly dying, I'm confident that it will still be more available than 650b.
Both wheels were built by SJS in March after I decided to switch to disc brakes rather than rim brakes. The rear was rebuilt because I wasn't happy going on the trip with the brake wear on the surface.
SJS quoted me for a Rohloff wheel build including changing the shell from 32h to 36h. I'm happy to eat the cost and slightly heavier wheel to minimise spoke breakages since I've got much rougher sections to come.
Not sure why I got broken spokes, as my previous SJS-built wheels had no problems. But myself plus carrying too a lot of stuff (which I'm going to be cutting down on quite a lot) likely contributed much more than anything on SJS' side
dsim:
--- Quote from: WorldTourer on October 30, 2024, 10:01:02 PM ---
Tire availability on the Central Asia route isn’t a big problem. I cycled from the Caucasus through the Pamirs last season, and when I needed to replace a 650B tire, I easily found someone through the WhatsApp group that everyone is on (“Cycling East”) who was flying in to Central Asia, and was willing to bring along some spare parts for people.
Even if you don’t plan to use tubeless tires anytime soon, you should future-proof the build by asking SJS to use a tubeless-ready rim.
I’m really surprised that you broke spokes on a SJS-built 32h Rohloff wheel. Never had a broken spoke on that in tens of thousands of km of cycling rough roads and singletrack, though I am a rather light rider. If you want 36h, wouldn't that require getting a completely new Rohloff shell?
--- End quote ---
I'd prefer not to rely on other travellers to bring stuff as that would probably be a headache organising. Think I'm going to switch to 26 inch since I'm sure it'll be available, even if not in the exact model/width/tread that I'd prefer. 700c x 40 is too narrow.
I'll see if SJS can build it tubeless ready. The rims I'm using currently are Ryde Andra 30 which aren't compatible with tubeless. Can you recommend a suitable tubeless ready and strong rim? Ryde Andra is probably overkill. I'm trying to reduce bike and luggage weight where possible without significantly impacting reliability.
SJS quoted me for changing the Rohloff shell to 36h and a wheel build. It's not cheap, but I think it'll be worth it
dsim:
--- Quote from: mickeg on October 31, 2024, 01:54:46 PM ---I think you can't switch to 36 spoke. The shell is shaped for either 16 or 18 spokes on each side.
Could it have been a bad batch of spokes? I think it was over a decade ago, Sapim had a bad batch of metal and made a lot of defective spokes. I assume your spokes were much newer than that batch. That bad batch, the spokes often broke in the middle, not the ends.
The only spokes I have ever had break were on an early 1960s tubular tire wheel.
I got a dent in a spoke on my Rohloff wheel, see photo, but the spoke did not break. My spokes are Wheelsmith which is no longer in business. When I got home, I replaced that dented spoke.
--- End quote ---
The wheel was built in March by SJS so I doubt it was affected by a bad batch from a while ago. I'm blaming my weight and luggage weight combined with how I was riding over anything on SJS' side.
The ride to Tbilisi has already reduced my weight a bit, and going to be taking off another 10-15kg of luggage weight too, so I think that plus 36h should fix the problem.
I carry spare spokes anyway and they are easy to change, but I'm lazy and don't like getting off the bike to faff.
mickeg:
Sounds like you have a plan.
Keep in mind that tubeless ready rims, if you are using tube type tires can be harder to remove and replace tires because there is a shelf that the tire bead sits on. Some people have found it difficult to get the bead off of that shelf if they get a flat. It does vary some based on tire, some will have a slightly tighter bead. And you may need stronger tire levers.
But, if you go tubeless, then of course you need tubeless ready rims.
You may want to keep your old rims, just in case you go back to them later.
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