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General Category >> Technical >> Spokes, Pool Chemistry and Metallurgy??
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Message started by Mdicke on Dec 8th, 2016, 10:28pm

Title: Spokes, Pool Chemistry and Metallurgy??
Post by Mdicke on Dec 8th, 2016, 10:28pm
A few months back I had noticed a on two of the upwrongs that see very little activity in my storeroom that each had several broken spokes.  On a little closer investigation one of them had about 6 spokes broken and they seemed to be at about the same point and adjacent to each other.  My first suspicion was someone had either cut them or shoved a garden tool through them.  

Over Thanksgiving I pulled the wheels from one of the bikes and went to the LBS to get a few spokes to replace broken ones.  I presented the wheels to the shop tech and told him I needed 5 or so spokes to replace the broken ones.  He immediately came back "no you need 32 spokes for each wheel because they are all shot."  Wow that is really an up sell!!  When questioned further he showed and told me the break points were due the chemical corrosion and asked if a had a pool (yes) because the pool chemicals (chlorine) off gasses and attacks the metal in the spokes and other metal components and stuff.  I have had what appeared to be more "rust film" on tools.   [smiley=shrug.gif]

Ended up buying 5 just to get the bike back on the road, but while truing one wheel another spoke popped and had to be replaced.  As I was mounting the tire two more popped.  Guess the next moved will buy 64 more spokes and do the whole set. :(

Lesson learned and the chlorine and other chemistry has found a new home.  I did check the trike, the F5 and the other diamond frame.  All have black coated spokes and no corrosion so I guess the coating made a difference.

Title: Re: Spokes, Pool Chemistry and Metallurgy??
Post by Action Lad on Dec 8th, 2016, 10:52pm

Mdicke wrote:
A few months back I had noticed a on two of the upwrongs that see very little activity in my storeroom that each had several broken spokes.  On a little closer investigation one of them had about 6 spokes broken and they seemed to be at about the same point and adjacent to each other.  My first suspicion was someone had either cut them or shoved a garden tool through them.  

Over Thanksgiving I pulled the wheels from one of the bikes and went to the LBS to get a few spokes to replace broken ones.  I presented the wheels to the shop tech and told him I needed 5 or so spokes to replace the broken ones.  He immediately came back "no you need 32 spokes for each wheel because they are all shot."  Wow that is really an up sell!!  When questioned further he showed and told me the break points were due the chemical corrosion and asked if a had a pool (yes) because the pool chemicals (chlorine) off gasses and attacks the metal in the spokes and other metal components and stuff.  I have had what appeared to be more "rust film" on tools.   [smiley=shrug.gif]

Ended up buying 5 just to get the bike back on the road, but while truing one wheel another spoke popped and had to be replaced.  As I was mounting the tire two more popped.  Guess the next moved will buy 64 more spokes and do the whole set. :(

Lesson learned and the chlorine and other chemistry has found a new home.  I did check the trike, the F5 and the other diamond frame.  All have black coated spokes and no corrosion so I guess the coating made a difference.
VERY interesting. [smiley=chinscratch.gif]

Title: Re: Spokes, Pool Chemistry and Metallurgy??
Post by FlyingLaZBoy on Dec 9th, 2016, 8:58am
Learn, from the folks who make Tabasco:

When the peppers are harvested, they are shipped back to Avery Island where they are ground into mash. Salt is added and the mixture is put into old whiskey barrels from distilleries like Jack Daniels and Jim Beam to age for up to three years. (The bright red mash is so corrosive that forklifts only last six years.)

Title: Re: Spokes, Pool Chemistry and Metallurgy??
Post by jayg on Dec 9th, 2016, 10:18am
Impressive that the tech would have knowledge of that mode of stainless steel spoke failure. Mike, what what LBS does he work for?

Title: Re: Spokes, Pool Chemistry and Metallurgy??
Post by Phantom Rider on Dec 9th, 2016, 10:30am
Great info, now I need to move things around in the garage.  I noticed the other day some new gas lines had rust film on them and setting underneath them are guess what?  Yep pool chemicals.

Thanks for sharing

Title: Re: Spokes, Pool Chemistry and Metallurgy??
Post by rmillay on Dec 9th, 2016, 3:55pm
I suspect the problem was simple for the wrench; it's always easier the second time you see it.
The black spokes were probably anodized, if not coated.  That will protect them longer, but eventually the chemicals will get through pores or scratches in the finish and do damage.

Title: Re: Spokes, Pool Chemistry and Metallurgy??
Post by Mdicke on Dec 11th, 2016, 9:42pm

jayg wrote:
Impressive that the tech would have knowledge of that mode of stainless steel spoke failure. Mike, what what LBS does he work for?


Bicycles Inc here in Arlington.  I was really surprised because I put the wheels on the counter and and he immediately said "no you need 32 for each wheel."  He also mentioned I might want to look closer at the cables, shifters and the derailleurs sometimes it can attack components in those.  I suspect Bob may be right about this not being his first rodeo with these symptoms.  I have always gotten good service and support when I go in.  Alas, they do not really do 'bents. They have a couple but are leftovers from when they had a guy on staff that was big on recumbents.

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