Broken Spokes

steelo

I have a broken spoke on my rear wheel, on the cassette side.

If I put the wheel into the LBS it will cost me £18 (60p for spoke and the rest for labour and VAT). It will also take the best part of a week to get the wheel back from them as they are usually quite busy.

Is it wise to try and sort it myself? I have a spoke key but need to know if there is a preferred spoke type/material to get.

supersonic

Thats a lot of labour - some spoke replacements are just that, they put a new spoke in and wind it up until the wheel is straight, or they put the new spoke in and check the whole tension, plus other spokes, and retrue/tension the whole shebang. Even then 18 quid is a lot.

If you do it yourself first check the other spokes arent loose - this may indicate they are fatigued too. Then you need to find out what length spoke you need, and go get one - a stainless steel one is best of the same guage you allready have. Then you thread it through the hub and to the rim, into the nipple, using an existing spoke as a guide as you weave it through. Then tighten it, and true the wheel, again checking for uneven tension elsewhere.

steelo

Thanks for the reply.

I spoke to my LBS and they recommend I give it a go myself, partly due to the increasing cost as more spokes break in the future, but also as its a good skill to have, wheel building etc.

They also agreed to fix the wheel if it all went 'pete tong'.

Prices aside, my LBS are a pretty damn good bunch of guys, always helpful and enthusiastic. They're really encouraging about the sport.

The BIG GT

Look for another LBS (you are allowed to use more than one)? :?

I had one that was good for bits and advice and another that was great for repairs, etc. and advice!

My workshop LBS guy took the wheel off me as it came from the bike (I'd off-road commuted to work), removed the tyre/tube, replaced 2 spokes, re-tuned the rest, put the tube/tyre back on, pumped the tube up and gave me 2 spare spokes for any future repairs and still only charged £9!! :shock: Oh and he let me collect from his house, 30 seconds away from my work!!

In fact the last time 2 times I used him, he did a spoke repair and then a front-mech fix for nowt, as a special for me!! 8) 8) 8)


Pain in the @r$e that he's now retiring to Southern France......
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