I’m new to this, but having a really good time so far. However, I’ve broken two spokes this week on my 28 inch wheel … no stunt riding, just routine stuff, including a fair bit of practice making sharp turns, mainly on a gym floor. How often do unicyclists break spokes? Should I use something thicker than a 14 gauge spoke?
Factors that could add to spoke breakage might include; improperly tensioned spokes, rider weight, basic wheel strength, types of materials being used in spoke or wheel construction and or any combination of the previously mentioned items.
A double walled rim will be less likely to flex which should help preserve spokes.
You’ve mentioned that your not leaping and bounding so possibly the concern is coming from the tight turns on a wheel that might not be properly tensioned etc.
Unicycle spokes rarely break if they’re looked after. If they’re properly tensioned they should last ages.
I would imagine your wheel build is in poor shape, you certainly shouldn’t be breaking spokes if everything is in order. Of course once one spoke is missing the problem cascades.
I’ve never had a spoke break on mine before, and I’m not sure why they would break randomly unless you are really heavy. From your description, the only reason why that I can think of would be the sharp turns. FYI, threads like these should be started in Rec.Sport.Unicycling since it has to do with Unicycling.