Breaking Spokes

stage_fright

Broke a spoke on the rear wheel on a long ride last week, something I had never done before in maybe 2,000 miles on that bike (actually – not something I had done before EVER!). Wheel had recently been trued and set up, so dropped it back to a LBS – and on my second ride after popping re-fettled wheel back in – broke another.

Both broke on the 90-degree bend where they connect to the hub – the obvious weak point I assume – but any suggestions on where I go from here? Do I get that one spoke replaced or is there some more fundamental issue going on?

The wheels are the ones that came with my Bianchi labelled as Compagnolo by Ambrosio if I have that right. I have no idea as to the quality of the wheels.

Thanks!

acorn_user

Well, the quality of the rims and hubs is probably pretty good. But you might have gotten a badly built one. I broke a spoke for the first time last month. Upon inspection, a few of the spokes had cracks, so I had those replaced too. You might look at yours to see if this is the case.

salsarider79

If you ride home after breaking a spoke, you will put a lot of stress on the rim and the other spokes. If you have a spoke key, loosen a few spokes around the snapped spoke, and don't ride. If you rode home, or the wheels have had a hard life, you may have stressed a few spokes a bit too much. Best to check them all just to be safe.

p.s. the only time I've broken a spoke was tootling down a road at less than 5mph. :?

NervexProf

Stage - was the breakage on the 'drive side' ?

Bugly

Bianchi labelled as Compagnolo by Ambrosio

Compagnolo = Campagnolo the most respected manufacturer of quality components for road bikes.

Ambrosio = Ambrosia = italian rim manufacturer again with a strong racing lineage.

What are the spokes you are using?

How old are the wheels? Are the hubs High FLANGE or Low Flange? As you are posting in the beginners area the wheels are more likely to be clincher then tubs.

if the spokes break at the bend check your hub. Are the holes getting distored or too deep? if so the angle of the spoke coming out of the hole is going to be extreme and breakage is going to continire _ your hubs are getting worn out.

If the spokes are breaking on the drive side check for cuts caused by the chain hitting the spoke due to badle adjusted rear deraileur. If you have cuts on the spokes get them replaced and adjust your derailuers.

knedlicky

Stage Fright wrote:

Wheel had recently been trued and set up, so dropped it back to a LBS – and on my second ride after popping re-fettled wheel back in – broke another.!

Based on your recent visits to them, I think you should be able to go back to your LBS and have them rectify the problem at their own cost. Seems to me they haven't really true-ed the wheel such that the tension is balanced.

stage_fright

Thanks for the advice so far!

First breakage was halfway through a 90-mile ride - I was forced to keep going after removing the broken spoke - so am happy to accept that in doing that the other spokes would have been stressed (am 14st and 6ft2, so not the smallest of riders).

Partly the reason I mentioned the quality of the wheels was that I had no idea of their standard, and was wondering if a wheel upgrade was worth the money (the lovely wife has already said 'does that mean we need to get you new wheels, and has already used the word Mavic in conversation'!)

I am fairly sure both breaks have been on the drive side, when it stops raining so hard I'll go out to the garage and have a look at the latest one.

salsarider79

Maybe the word 'Mavic' is a good sign. Is your birthday soon? That may also be a good chance for something new, exciting and shiny.
Anyway not a bad idea to loosen the spokes on the opposite side to the side you snapped spokes, to stop stresses on the rim. You don't want to deffinatly ruin the wheel would you?

bill57

Bugly wrote:

Ambrosio = Ambrosia = italian rim manufacturer again with a strong racing lineage..

Ambrosio = Ambrosio SpA, Italian rim manufacturer with a strong racing lineage.

Ambrosia = Creamy Rice Pudding, or in Greek Mythology, the food of the Gods