broken spoke

struck
struck Posts: 320
edited March 2009 in MTB workshop & tech
i have a broken spoke and since last ride have noticed quite a few other spokes have lost their tension...

can my lbs simply replace the spoke and re-tension the wheel or do i need it fully rebuilt?

how much is the norm for a wheel rebuild? i'm from cardiff but a student in portsmouth and all bike shops here are a bit crap and rip you off compared to mine at home :(

Comments

  • nicklouse
    nicklouse Posts: 50,675
    normally it is the start of a whole batch of spokes going.

    where did it brake? at the elbow?

    either replace the wheel or go for a rebuild.
    "Do not follow where the path may lead, Go instead where there is no path, and Leave a Trail."
    Parktools :?:SheldonBrown
  • struck
    struck Posts: 320
    yes broke on the elbow, on the non-drive/dished side. it's needed a new hub and rebuild for a while really, just cant afford it. im hoping theres inexpensive option of replacing spokes..
  • struck
    struck Posts: 320
    also i dont want to have to buy new wheel until i get 24" NS suburban frame and buy a single speed bmx hub..

    at the moment an ss bmx hub wouldn't fit my Identiti dr jekyll. i think... (old model before ADS)

    thanks
  • nicklouse
    nicklouse Posts: 50,675
    it depends on the OLD and the axle size. and they look the same 135 and 10mm.
    "Do not follow where the path may lead, Go instead where there is no path, and Leave a Trail."
    Parktools :?:SheldonBrown
  • struck
    struck Posts: 320
    thanks nick, i'll get some research done tody...


    are you saying ii is not possible to just replace spokes and keep current hub and rim??
  • nicklouse
    nicklouse Posts: 50,675
    no it is perfectly possible but...

    find a local wheel builder and find out what it will cost for them to sort your wheel.

    you could just have the broken spokes replaced but more will start to go soon.


    a new wheel for the new bike will laso fit the Dr J.

    So where do you put the money. fix or new.
    "Do not follow where the path may lead, Go instead where there is no path, and Leave a Trail."
    Parktools :?:SheldonBrown
  • nicklouse wrote:
    normally it is the start of a whole batch of spokes going.
    replace the wheel

    EEK! :shock: I hope not!

    I had a spoke snap on friday, was only out on a road/light trail ride - nothing technical, had front and rear shocks locked out for 90% of ride.

    Rutland Cycles at Grafham (my nearest decent LBS) quoted £1 for the spoke and £8 for the labour to replace it. (Not sure if it'll be more than that to replace like for like, that's probably their generic cheap spokes) Don't really want to have to replace the wheelset.

    Mine snapped at the nipple.
    Boardman Road Comp '08
    Spesh FSR XC Expert '08
  • nicklouse
    nicklouse Posts: 50,675
    Like i said it does depend on where it broke. but often it is a sign of a poor wheel build and the rest will follow soon after.
    "Do not follow where the path may lead, Go instead where there is no path, and Leave a Trail."
    Parktools :?:SheldonBrown
  • Yeah, the wheel is the standard one the bike came with, and is over a year old. So it's a factory build, not a wheelbuilder special. To be expected I suppose.
    Boardman Road Comp '08
    Spesh FSR XC Expert '08
  • struck
    struck Posts: 320
    well the rim is fine, a single dent from when i was playing around and forgot i had really low tyre pressures.. the hub has had a slight amount of play for a while, have also been advised by bike shop to replace. but that was over a year ago and the wheel is almost 6 years old - i think its done pretty well, considering its been used in the peak district, lake district, and so many bails on the street and skateparks (not just bails, i think im not bad...).

    so guess i'll start saving for new hub and rebuild, just means no street or trials for the next few weeks :(

    know any good wheel builders in the south? not cycleworld...

    think i may as well buy whole build from CRC. both sets i bought from them have been perfect.
  • Well, that's mine fixed! Rutland Cycles at Grafham did it while I waited....and drooled over the Yeti 575 frames.....for £8 all in! :)
    Boardman Road Comp '08
    Spesh FSR XC Expert '08