Cube Attain Sl 2018 wheel issues

[Tobes]

Hi,

Wondered if anyone else had experienced any issues with Cube wheels?

I bought the bike Mid November (Cycle Surgery Victoria), against some advice from colleagues who were all pushing me to go the Giant/Specialised route. However for the money it was the only bike offering full 105 group set....

Anyway back on track, in just over 120 miles I have had 6 punctures (5 rear, 1 front) and had two spokes fall out. Punctures have all been down to rim tape issues, well all rear have been, front went tonight and Ive not changed it yet. All in all I have walked a little over 20 miles with the bike and flat tyres, taken it on 2 trains and back to store twice.

In comparison I have done over 700 miles on a Halfords Carrera without a single issue

I now have zero confidence in the bike and it's ability to get me to work and wondered if I am the unluckiest cyclist ever with this bike or if anyone else has had any issues.

Some searching online in particular on Evans web site within the reviews of the cube attain does seem to show that others have had something similar.

So just looking for any advice anyone may have on how to move forward or if they had a similar experience how it got resolved. I have sent a fairly lengthy email to cycle surgery this evening with all the details and requested them to contact Cube on my behalf.

 

[gbb]

Regarding the punctures, you're exceeding unlucky. A puncture every 20 miles is extraordinary...I probably get one or two a year.
Consider road positioning. If you're too close to the gutter, that's where the majority the crud, flint and debris is. Take a stronger position and avoid it...apologies if you already do .
Road conditions there ?. Potholes are killers, is that a problem there thatd knock spokes out ?
Your weight ? I see the spoke count is 28 on the rear, not a fragile wheel in that sense...are you a big fella ?
Tyre pressures ? Under inflated tyres are more prone to punctures.

Just a few things to think about.

 

[I like Skol]

Ignore @gbb I don't think he actually read your post!

Get your bike back to the retailer and insist they sort the spokes and replace the rim tape. If the spoke problems still keep happening then it is new wheel time, they have no choice in the matter and are under a legal obligation to supply a bike that is fit for purpose. Wheels that are failing within 120 miles due to poor components or assembly are not fit for purpose and there is no argument about that.

 

[Spiderweb]

Regarding the punctures, you're exceeding unlucky. A puncture every 20 miles is extraordinary...I probably get one or two a year.
Consider road positioning. If you're too close to the gutter, that's where the majority the crud, flint and debris is. Take a stronger position and avoid it...apologies if you already do .
Road conditions there ?. Potholes are killers, is that a problem there thatd knock spokes out ?
Your weight ? I see the spoke count is 28 on the rear, not a fragile wheel in that sense...are you a big fella ?
Tyre pressures ? Under inflated tyres are more prone to punctures.

Just a few things to think about.

It doesn't sound like rider fault to me, @Tobes has done hundreds of miles on his Carrera without issue.
The retailer has to sort the obvious wheel issue out, if not take the bike back and insist on a full refund.

 

[ianrauk]

That is just very poor. Insist on a new set of wheels at least.

 

[Tobes]

Thanks for the responses. I was beginning to lose the 'wheel' to live.

I do appreciate all comments raised.

I do ride wide and am not afraid to hold a strong position on the road. I also generally cycle in Richmond Park when not commuting and the surface there is very smooth (Had two punctures there).

I'm not that heavy circa 90kg, 88 on a good day. Was 105kg when i got my carreera.

As for rim tape they have done the rear but obviously as I've now found out they didn't change the front despite working on the front wheel spokes.

No response to my email yet from cycle surgery.

Will give an update once they do.

 

[gbb]

Thanks for the responses. I was beginning to lose the 'wheel' to live.

I do appreciate all comments raised.

I do ride wide and am not afraid to hold a strong position on the road. I also generally cycle in Richmond Park when not commuting and the surface there is very smooth (Had two punctures there).

I'm not that heavy circa 90kg, 88 on a good day. Was 105kg when i got my carreera.

As for rim tape they have done the rear but obviously as I've now found out they didn't change the front despite working on the front wheel spokes.

No response to my email yet from cycle surgery.

Will give an update once they do.

Good to hear your riding position is strong so that vastly reduces the chances of debris punctures, something I was merely suggesting a possibility up post, not THE cause .
Hope you get some sort of result from the supplier.

 

[Ananda]

Both wheels on my cube hyde where out of true from the crate. My guess is that some wheel checking is important from the word go on mass produced bikes.

 

[Joe_Cycles]

I am experiencing the same problem with internal punctures on my cube attain 2018, I've had around 6 punctures in the 9 months that I've owned the bike, I believe all of them were internal.

I've replaced the rim tape front and back several times but the spoke holes always seem to reveal themselves from the side of the rim tape, I'm trying to get hold of wider rim tape to resolve the issue.

I would be interested to know if Cycle Surgery offer a solution as I also purchased from them.

 

[Tobes]

I am experiencing the same problem with internal punctures on my cube attain 2018, I've had around 6 punctures in the 9 months that I've owned the bike, I believe all of them were internal.

I've replaced the rim tape front and back several times but the spoke holes always seem to reveal themselves from the side of the rim tape, I'm trying to get hold of wider rim tape to resolve the issue.

I would be interested to know if Cycle Surgery offer a solution as I also purchased from them.

Hi Joe

Sorry to hear you have had similar issues.

I do not know how exactly but they are able to remedy as my rear wheel was puncture free since their initial repair. However I do not know whether this was the result of applying multiple rim tapes or any other method of mitigation.

An update on my issue which may in turn assist you.

I received a response from their customer services and we exchanged a number of emails. They have offered to give the bike a full service and to undertake a thorough inspection of both wheels. I had read online that spoke holes in rear wheels on particular had been drilled over size at point of manufacture and this leaves a sharp edge which can extend beyond rim tape edges especially if the tape that is fitted is loose. ( Joe is yours blue by any cha ce?).

They have confirmed they will determine method of repair after this inspection as i do not want a fudge which will leave me at risk of it does fail again and I'm at roadside without additional supplies of whatever they used.

Following the repair they have states they will take the bike back and replace if the same problem occurs again.

Have to say customer services have been great.

Taking bike in tomorrow will let you k ow what happens and how they resolve.

 

[I like Skol]

Velox rim tape.

 

[Joe_Cycles]

Hi Joe

Sorry to hear you have had similar issues.

I do not know how exactly but they are able to remedy as my rear wheel was puncture free since their initial repair. However I do not know whether this was the result of applying multiple rim tapes or any other method of mitigation.

An update on my issue which may in turn assist you.

I received a response from their customer services and we exchanged a number of emails. They have offered to give the bike a full service and to undertake a thorough inspection of both wheels. I had read online that spoke holes in rear wheels on particular had been drilled over size at point of manufacture and this leaves a sharp edge which can extend beyond rim tape edges especially if the tape that is fitted is loose. ( Joe is yours blue by any cha ce?).

They have confirmed they will determine method of repair after this inspection as i do not want a fudge which will leave me at risk of it does fail again and I'm at roadside without additional supplies of whatever they used.

Following the repair they have states they will take the bike back and replace if the same problem occurs again.

Have to say customer services have been great.

Taking bike in tomorrow will let you k ow what happens and how they resolve.

Glad to hear that Cycle Surgery have been helpful resolving your issues!

The rim tape that came with my bike was blue plastic and it was slightly loose so it moved around and exposed the spoke holes. I changed the tape but 18mm tape was not wide enough to cover the holes completely, this must be related to the oversized holes that you mention. I expect that many people will be having issues with these Cube wheels in this case.

I will probably visit Cycle Surgery next week.

Thanks for your info!