Bent Spoke...

Bmjboy

Hi All - I have one bent spoke (lucky me) - Im wondering if a simple "Bend it back in" approach will be Ok, or If I need a new one, now this one has weakened?

I dont particulaly fancy running my chin along the ground if the wheel collapses!

Probably over-worrying about it, but it does need fixing or bending back...

Any advice most welcome.

nicklouse

has the bent spoke distorted the rim? are anyother spokes lose?

may be nothing may not be. if you are not sure get it looked at.

Bmjboy

Its one single spoke bent nearer the rim than the hub, it occured when my bike come off my bike rack quite spectacularly(!)

Luckily, the only damage to the bike is the seat and 1 spoke, could of been 1000 times worse if the bike fell into the road while driving...

Bikes probably due a service, I guess it wouldnt hurt to get it checked.

Im going to be doing 20miles a day on road next week, so must be sure.

nicklouse

LBS time.

anything could have happend to the wheel. and if you are up for a bit of riding next week you dont want it failing on you do you.

ride_whenever

You could always get it rebuilt with new spokes as a treat, should be about 40 quid, 20 for the spokes and 20 for the labour.

Bmjboy

I can think of many more ways to spend £40 to treat myself or bike

I just want to ensure I am safe, I dont do much extreme stuff so Im assuming other spokes are all Ok...

Hopefully its just the 1 spoke that needs attention and it wont cost a fortune!

royboy11

What i do when i have one or a couple bent spokes in a wheel but it's still true and solid. I just put in a couple new spokes and tension them to whatever the others are currently at. It's a quick job and doens't require taking it in to a shop. It's really cheap to buy a couple spokes and ends.

CitizenLee

I wouldn’t worry about it if all the other spokes are fine. Just wait until you next get a service.

If you are worried then it shouldn’t be too much trouble for your LBS to replace one spoke.

Either way I don’t think you need to get your whole wheel re-laced.

Everyone will no doubt argue it's not the best thing to do but I've ran a wheel with 3 spokes missing for a good few months with no problems what so ever. Fair enough it was a 20" BMX wheel so should be stronger anyway but the stuff I do on the BMX probably puts more stress on the wheel than most casual MTBers would on theirs. Go to any skatepark or street spot and you'll find at least a few people with missing spokes. I've still to see a wheel collapse

Bmjboy

Thanks ROYBOY11 - Could you point me in the direction to a guide or something??

I'd need a black spoke and I guess whatever tooling for the job!

CitizenLee

http://www.google.co.uk/search?hl=en&q= ... heel&meta=

http://www.google.co.uk/search?hl=en&q= ... poke&meta=

Be warned, you can make it worse if you dont know what you're doing!

Have a practise on an old wheel 1st.

royboy11

The only tool you need is a "spoke wrench". There are different sizes so you can get one that has the most common sizes.
http://www.poweridestore.com/images/Spoke%20Wrench.jpg