Snapped spoke, buckled wheel, argh!

nich

Not sure how it happened, but on the way home noticed my rear wheel was rubbing against the brake. Turns it it is totally buckled, so I had to undo the brake and ride home with just the front argh.

Anyway, got home, and on further inspection noticed that one of the spokes was loose, and it had snapped off at the hub - must have had a clunk or something, but it seemed fine this morning.

Is this something that a bike shop can fix? Or is it worth getting a new rim? Tis rather annoying, luckily I have a slicked up mtb as a backup 8)

Oddjob62

A single broken spoke is a pretty easy fix. In fact you could probably true the wheel with the remaining spokes and ride it for weeks without issue (not that i would recommend it)

nich

Hmm I'll give it a go. I'm not that clued up on wheels

Oddjob62

nich wrote:

Hmm I'll give it a go. I'm not that clued up on wheels

I'm hoping you mean have a go at replacing the spoke, not riding without.

nich

Yes replacing it. I'm heavy and need all the spokes I can get

SickAsAParrot

If its on the cassette side you will need a cassette removal tool. In any case unscrew the broken spoke from the rim end and take it to LBS, they should have exactly the right length, thread the new one through the hub hole, taking note of the way the other spokes are threaded and screw it back into the rim (you'll have to flex it a bit). Tighten it up, it may true the wheel back in by itself.

jairaj

I'd let the experts do it if you are new to wheel building. You have to get the right sized spoke and then make sure there is even tension throughout the wheel. This can be quite hard to do correctly.

Also if one broke then the others may also be damaged, make sure you check them all and replace any that don't look 100%. Otherwise you will just keep braking and replacing them one by one.

rjsterry

jairaj wrote:

I'd let the experts do it if you are new to wheel building. You have to get the right sized spoke and then make sure there is even tension throughout the wheel. This can be quite hard to do correctly.

Also if one broke then the others may also be damaged, make sure you check them all and replace any that don't look 100%. Otherwise you will just keep braking and replacing them one by one.

+1 I had a recurring broken spoke problem due to each break over-stressing the surrounding spokes, and I'm only 10st. The spokes always broke a few miles from home or work of course so had to ride on the broken wheel, which just makes it worse. Eventually ditched the wheels as it was becoming a fortnightly visit to the bike shop.

wgwarburton

rjsterry wrote:

jairaj wrote:

I'd let the experts do it if you are new to wheel building. You have to get the right sized spoke and then make sure there is even tension throughout the wheel. This can be quite hard to do correctly.

Also if one broke then the others may also be damaged, make sure you check them all and replace any that don't look 100%. Otherwise you will just keep braking and replacing them one by one.

+1 I had a recurring broken spoke problem due to each break over-stressing the surrounding spokes, and I'm only 10st. The spokes always broke a few miles from home or work of course so had to ride on the broken wheel, which just makes it worse. Eventually ditched the wheels as it was becoming a fortnightly visit to the bike shop.

I've not found this to be a problem on 36-spoke wheels (I'm 85Kg).

Low spoke-counts may not be the best choice for a commuting bike, where reliability is more important than saving grammes.

Cheers,
W.

rjsterry

WGWarburton wrote:

rjsterry wrote:

jairaj wrote:

I'd let the experts do it if you are new to wheel building. You have to get the right sized spoke and then make sure there is even tension throughout the wheel. This can be quite hard to do correctly.

Also if one broke then the others may also be damaged, make sure you check them all and replace any that don't look 100%. Otherwise you will just keep braking and replacing them one by one.

+1 I had a recurring broken spoke problem due to each break over-stressing the surrounding spokes, and I'm only 10st. The spokes always broke a few miles from home or work of course so had to ride on the broken wheel, which just makes it worse. Eventually ditched the wheels as it was becoming a fortnightly visit to the bike shop.

I've not found this to be a problem on 36-spoke wheels (I'm 85Kg).

Low spoke-counts may not be the best choice for a commuting bike, where reliability is more important than saving grammes.

Cheers,
W.

Oddly enough the breakages were on a 32- or 36-spoke wheel (can't remember which), but I have been on 16-spoke front and 20-spoke rear for a few years now, with (touch wood) no broken spokes. I've always thought that having a right angle bend in the spoke where it meets the hub was a bit dodgy (that's where all my breakages were, and mine are all straight pull now), but that is probably nonsense as so many wheels use 'J' spokes.

fenboy369

My LBS do a spoke replacement and true for 6 quid....

rjsterry

fenboy369 wrote:

My LBS do a spoke replacement and true for 6 quid....

That's good - almost worth posting the wheel to them at that price!