Last Friday night on my way home from work, I had a rear wheel split and cause the tire to blow out. I replaced my rear wheel a year ago with an aftermarket brand. The shop that sold me the wheel 80 Spoke touring wheel, said he had never seen that happen. The rear wheel split at the seam. The wheel made by Mid Western leaves me with a bad feeling. If any of you are using the Mid Western Wheels I highly suggest that you inspect your wheels very carefully for any cracks. I was very lucky that the light at the intersection had turned red so I was slowing down when it let go. Had it happend a few minutes earlier or later it could have been big.

See the link to see pictures of the wheel.

http://img248.imageshack.us/i/cimg1611.jpg/

http://img80.imageshack.us/i/cimg1610.jpg/

And for additional info, I did not hit anything, the thing just blew out.

 

Ouch!
Glad you're OK!
Could have been worse.
The only time I see wheels do this is if they are steel and overloaded when they hit something, mainly on pickups.
Could've been a flaw?
Like a thin spot or bent to fast when it was made. .
Dealer is going to have to determine cause.

 

I seem to recall someone on the board here having that exact same problem a month or two ago. He caught it before it split when he was washing the wheel, but it was coming apart. I think it might have been the same brand. Maybe a search will turn it up.

 

be thankful it wasn't the front wheel.

 

Was it a radial spoked wheel, I have heard several people with this problem on radially spoked wheels? I had the same thing happen on a cross spoke wheel several years back. Mine was American Wire Wheel purchased before they were bought out by Dayton Wheel. Dayton Wheel warranted it, confirmed it was an issue with the previous owners and also upgraded me to polished stainless spokes on the relace. About 6 months later I called the guy to see if he would cut me a deal on two more wheels for my other bike and he gave them to me at half price. When he shipped them he also threw in a THIRD wheel, it had a small defect in the chrome on the hub and was rejected by quality, AT NO CHARGE. Needless to say, I like American Wire Wheel, plus they're tubeless.

 

Should have gone right out and bought a lotterry ticket!

 

Daaaaammmmnn....that's not gonna do much for their sales.

 

As anyone who has ever had a flat on the rear tire will attest, you are one lucky individual! Glad you are okay

 

Glad your OK! Bet that was scary!

 

Count your lucky stars. That coulda been real messy.