Mavic Ksyrium Elites
Years ago (6-7??) I had successive bad luck long rides and busted spokes halfway out in the middle of nowhere. So, when I got home I invested in two identical sets of Mavic Ksyrium Elite 700 wheels (19 spoke, shimano hubs). One set for my road bike and the other on my tri/TT bike.
Well, last year, 30 miles into the Austin-to-Shiner century, my rear hub broke (the "ear" where the spoke is secured broke completely off) and was unfixable. Local bike shop told me it'd be cheaper to buy a new wheel than to send it back to Mavic. Ever since then it's been sitting in my room collecting dust - waiting for me to find a suitable replacement. So now I'm swapping one rear wheel between my bikes.
Just yesterday, about 23 miles into a 40-miler, I broke a rear spoke on my other wheel (initially, I thought it too was the hub itself). Thankfully, my LBS said they could have it back to me within a few days - we shall see!
And last week, a local buddy of mine broke his rear hub on his Mavic in the same way as well. Seems too much like a coincidence to me. Maybe a manufacturing defect, or just the effect of multiple years of my fatass riding around on it?!?
It's suggested to me online (fb) that I just find a new hub and rethread the wheel with it. Not having much luck finding any on ebay or craigslist (my search-fu isn't too strong I guess).
Right now, I only have my zipp 808 rear to ride on.
Any suggestions on how to get my wheels up and operational and not have to spend hundreds of dollars to do it?
Comments
Scott, my oldest son is a full-time bike mechanic for the Performance Bike shop in Cincinnati. I will forward your message to him and let you know what he says. His boss was at one time the traveling mechanic for USAT. Bob
BTW, I have a set of K10 Ksyrium Yksion (10th anniversary edition) which I love and have had no trouble with over 1000's of miles.
Scott,
This is a followup to my message earlier this evening. I spoke to my son the bike mechanic. His initial suggestion is to keep the Mavic with the broken hub for parts, starting with using one of the spokes on other wheel with the good hub. At some time you can use other spokes, bearings and maybe the Mavic rim.
If you want to fix the Mavic with the broken hub you may need to contact Mavic since their hubs are not readily available in stores. Likewise, you may want to see if you can get a spoke(s) directly from Mavic if you don't want to use the other for parts.
He does not have either a Mavic hub or Mavic spokes, but if you get those to him with your wheel(s), he can rebuild your wheel(s) at a very reasonable cost. I would have you make those arrangements directly with him.
Bob
In addition, an additional bike mechanic told me that's pretty much the only thing to do with them these days. The product life cycle for those specific wheels is long over!