Spoked wheels . . . .

[twizzle]

The only time I’ve had a problem cleaning spoked GS/GSA wheels, is when I used Muc Off. This left a white coating on the black rim, which was a bugger to get off. Ended up scrubbing them with WD40. Since then, I only use a PH neutral shampoo on the bike, such as Auto Glym. Use this with a proper spoke wheel brush and they take no longer than an alloy wheel to clean. And spoked wheels just look so much better!

Muc off is fine - but never let it dry - soak the wheels - apply muc off - watch and wet as required brush scrub rinse.........simple - never let any cleaning product dry out

 

[stick]

No doubt they are better able to take a knock, but the chances of crack on road (I would have thought) is negliable - they would not be used if the risk was higher.

My mate changed to spokes due to the fact that his front had to repaired twice , the third time it happened he changed . No issues since .

 

[Dougunn]

Thanks all, lots of useful perspective!

Doug

 

[wheelnut]

Spray a bit of stuff on them and hose them off. This is my fourth or fifth GSA and it’s really never been an issue.

 

[Mr Bean]

My mate changed to spokes due to the fact that his front had to repaired twice , the third time it happened he changed . No issues since .

For what reason? Pretty much all bike manufacturers supply alloy wheels; the fact that your mate has had two repaired is not evidence that they are fundamentally flawed.

 

[stick]

For what reason? Pretty much all bike manufacturers supply alloy wheels; the fact that your mate has had two repaired is not evidence that they are fundamentally flawed.

The front seems weak , and the roads we ride are sometimes strewn with holes etc , as I say our experience and also discussions with the wheel repair workshop showed that the wheels seem weaker as he had done so many repairs to the fronts . Not on the spokes , or rarely and if he had it was due to off road damage . So I think it’s fair to point out that if you use the bike on roads which may offer the chance of a hole or two rather than the Tesco run , there is a good chance you can damage you bike . Fundamentally flawed may be not as designs are different from manufacture to another , but at over £100 a repair it gets costly and also the added worry of a wheel that is weak .
That’s why we run spokes and also why my alloys are used occasionally when comparing tyres .

 

[Speedy1959]

If anyone wants to swap their "inferior" Alloy wheels for my "Superior" (but hard to clean) spoked wheels just let me know..
I will be round in a couple of hours !!!

 

[Mr Bean]

So I think it’s fair to point out that if you use the bike on roads which may offer the chance of a hole or two rather than the Tesco run , there is a good chance you can damage you bike .

Just back from a 2,200 mile run to, and around the Scottish Highlands etc. with plenty of single track, pot-holed roads and no damage.

Appreciate there are many higher milers than me, but (touching wood) after riding in excess of 100k miles (both in the UK and Europe) on BMW's with alloy wheels on all sorts of roads, I've never experienced, or seen others with wheel rim damage. For the majority, who never go off-road, the comment of there being a 'good chance' of damage and 'weak' wheels is over estimated.

 

[stick]

Just back from a 2,200 mile run to, and around the Scottish Highlands etc. with plenty of single track, pot-holed roads and no damage.

Appreciate there are many higher milers than me, but (touching wood) after riding in excess of 100k miles (both in the UK and Europe) on BMW's with alloy wheels on all sorts of roads, I've never experienced, or seen others with wheel rim damage. For the majority, who never go off-road, the comment of there being a 'good chance' of damage and 'weak' wheels is over estimated.

I stand corrected , but wished only to share my and others experiences over many miles of back lane bashing . Maybe we have been unlucky , but it does bugger up your day when it happens and for us as a riding group , too many times.
But we are all different and perhaps my observations are tailored more to our exuberant styles...

 

[Mr Bean]

But we are all different and perhaps my observations are tailored more to our exuberant styles...

We are, and this is the most exuberant I dare go - pegs just touching down at this point...