Snapping Spokes Help!

andyparker
Posts: 59
Hi all
I've had a Cube Peloton 2012 now for about 5 months without any issues until now!
Last week a spoke snapped on me at the hub end whilst out riding causing the wheel to buckle slightly to the point where I couldn't ride it any further.
I figured this might happen from time to time so took it to Evans who sorted it out. Less than 1 week and 100 miles later and it has happened again
I can't immediately tell whether it is the same spoke or not but is on the same wheel (rear).
Any ideas what could be causing it? Have I just been unlucky or is it something more serious? Could it be that Somenod the spokes have had to be tightened so much to ensure the wheel is straight that there is undue pressure on some of the spokes? I had the wheel straightened once before the initial spoke snapped although that was quite a while before it went.
What's a bit concerning is that I fly out to Paris on Saturday to cycle back 401 miles to Cardiff for charity on it so I need to sort it ASAP and ensure it's reliable.
Thanks
Andrew
I've had a Cube Peloton 2012 now for about 5 months without any issues until now!
Last week a spoke snapped on me at the hub end whilst out riding causing the wheel to buckle slightly to the point where I couldn't ride it any further.
I figured this might happen from time to time so took it to Evans who sorted it out. Less than 1 week and 100 miles later and it has happened again

I can't immediately tell whether it is the same spoke or not but is on the same wheel (rear).
Any ideas what could be causing it? Have I just been unlucky or is it something more serious? Could it be that Somenod the spokes have had to be tightened so much to ensure the wheel is straight that there is undue pressure on some of the spokes? I had the wheel straightened once before the initial spoke snapped although that was quite a while before it went.
What's a bit concerning is that I fly out to Paris on Saturday to cycle back 401 miles to Cardiff for charity on it so I need to sort it ASAP and ensure it's reliable.
Thanks
Andrew
0
Comments
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No personal experience of this as I'm too light to snap spokes! However, the general view is that generally, whilst only one spoke may snap, this doesn't mean that other spokes in the vicinity haven't been compromised as well. Possibly both before and after the original breakage. Basically, that part of the wheel is under additional stress. So the correct solution is to replace some of the spokes either side as well. If only one spoke is replaced, commonly further breakages follow.
Best approach is not to give a delicate task to the likes of Evans but to take the wheel to a proper wheelbuilder who can sort it out properly. Assuming you are going to be well loaded on your ride, I'd be tempted to get the wheel properly rebuilt with all new spokes.Faster than a tent.......0 -
I have broken loads of spokes and had warrenty replacements on all my wheels. I am now getting a set of hand builts on partial warranty (bike is just over one year old so big praise for Specialized Concept Store Harrogate for top service) as the replacement set is broken as well!
In my experience once one goes - especially if its rear drive side - forget it - more will go. If they are repaired AFAIK the only possible solution is to de-tension all the spokes fit a new one and re-tension from there. I may be biased but I cannot believe any Evans would ever do that. I am sorry but I must say I think you are in trouble unless you either get it re-built by a good wheelbuilder or (much preferable) get a spare/replacement set for your Paris trip.
Sorry to be gloomy but that is my experience (hope it isn't yours though!)0 -
Yes, unfortunately cheap spokes suffer fatigue and snap pretty quickly... I have a set of new quality hand builts which are perfect for your trip and many more trips at a budget price. I have PM youleft the forum March 20230
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Shiumano R501 wheels on this I presume?http://www.thecycleclinic.co.uk -wheel building and other stuff.0
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Thanks all for the help
The wheels are Easton EA30 Aero's
I think the popular answer on here and some other websites seems to be that once one goes it is fairly common for more to go as the others may have been compromised.
I think therefore my only option aside from the drastic step of getting new wheels is to get it rebuilt with new spokes rather than just having that individual one replaced.
Just need to find a decent LBS now to do the job.
Thanks again0 -
Given the bike is not that old surely the shop you bought it from should be replacing the wheels. Radial NDS spokes do have a habit of comming loose. If I was rebuilding I would spoke freeze the nipples or use Spaim self locking nipples to stop this from happening. I am sure fulcrum do something like this on their wheels. The trick will be finding a shop with the spokes in stock.http://www.thecycleclinic.co.uk -wheel building and other stuff.0
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In an ideal world yes i would have got the supplying shop to sort it out however the bike was sourced through Halfords who sourced it from Leisure Lakes I believe. As I need it sorting ASAP I think I will just have to take this one on the chin.
The spokes were actually snapping at the hub end rather than slipping out of the nipple.0 -
andyparker wrote:In an ideal world yes i would have got the supplying shop to sort it out however the bike was sourced through Halfords who sourced it from Leisure Lakes I believe. As I need it sorting ASAP I think I will just have to take this one on the chin.
The spokes were actually snapping at the hub end rather than slipping out of the nipple.
That's what they commonly do... it's due to metal fatigue, caused by low tension and possibly poor quality material. It's not uncommon in Easton wheels, for both reasons.
Your wheels have J spokes, which helps, meaning a decent LBS should have a decent stock of spokes to rebuild them. Chances are they spot the opportunity and, given you don't have much time, they sell you a new set of something they have to get rid of for your trip and take their time to fix your wheels too (also called two pigeons with one stone). I don't expect your average LBS to rebuild your wheels in a day or two.
On the other hand, you might strike lucky and find a good LBS, which will sort you out. For a full rebuild with quality spokes, expect to pay 100 pounds... for a quick fix (tension and true) you might get away with 20 quid, but it won't solve the underlying problem (metal fatigue) and I wouldn't certainly trust it for your coming tripleft the forum March 20230 -
The first thing you need to know is the "Sale of goods act 1979" the bike came with a one year warranty, and it is not fit for purpose. Two broken spoke is not acceptable.
As a qualified Cytech mechanic and qualified DT Swiss wheel builder myself, take the bike back and remind them of the Sales of Goods act 1979 and that the bike/wheel is NOT fit for purpose. It could be worth speaking to your local Trading Standards. Why should you shell out more cash for a bad product. Proven twice now??
As a wheel builder, yes it needs to be striped down and rebuilt, as this problem will carry on, simple as that...
All your spokes have now been put under a load that they where not build for. In my book they all need scrapping ASAP.
This is your life we are taking about.
Question, would you ride a bike with no brakes? It's the same as spokes your life is in this machine. So it needs to be spot on.
You either want your money back for the bike or they REPLACE the wheel. Remember Sale of Goods Act 1979.
Good luck0 -
Thanks for the help guys
Immediate problem solved in that I have borrowed a wheel for my Charity ride so all good to go.
Cyclopaedia didn't have time to rebuild the wheel for Saturday even though they did have the required parts. All they could do for Friday was replace the spoke that was broken.
Onto the real problem to solve and I phoned Halfords today as well - when I explained what had happened the woman said she had heard of a few spokes going on this model - she phoned Leisure Lakes whilst I waited and indicated they would likely replace the wheel. I've given them the frame number and she is going to hopefully sort for me.
All in all progress!0 -
andyparker wrote:Thanks for the help guys
Immediate problem solved in that I have borrowed a wheel for my Charity ride so all good to go.
Cyclopaedia didn't have time to rebuild the wheel for Saturday even though they did have the required parts. All they could do for Friday was replace the spoke that was broken.
Onto the real problem to solve and I phoned Halfords today as well - when I explained what had happened the woman said she had heard of a few spokes going on this model - she phoned Leisure Lakes whilst I waited and indicated they would likely replace the wheel. I've given them the frame number and she is going to hopefully sort for me.
All in all progress!
Are you saying that a call centre assistant at halfords knows what a spoke is?
Progress indeed...left the forum March 20230 -
ugo.santalucia wrote:andyparker wrote:Thanks for the help guys
Immediate problem solved in that I have borrowed a wheel for my Charity ride so all good to go.
Cyclopaedia didn't have time to rebuild the wheel for Saturday even though they did have the required parts. All they could do for Friday was replace the spoke that was broken.
Onto the real problem to solve and I phoned Halfords today as well - when I explained what had happened the woman said she had heard of a few spokes going on this model - she phoned Leisure Lakes whilst I waited and indicated they would likely replace the wheel. I've given them the frame number and she is going to hopefully sort for me.
All in all progress!
Are you saying that a call centre assistant at halfords knows what a spoke is?
Progress indeed...
Probably meant she had spoke to some people about a thing called a wheel so she phoned a company with bike in their name and a lake to find out what it was?0 -
Haha, now now gents!
I'll reserve judgement however until it's actually replaced!0 -
So the plot thickens a bit more today
Cyclopaedia phoned me this morning to say that the wheel is too buckled to be brought back into line by fixing the one snapped spoke. He said that It really shouldn't be that bad after a one spoke snap.
Anyway seems to add more weight to getting it replaced under warranty - just have to wait for Halfords to do their thing with Leisure Lakes.0 -
Just had it confirmed that there is a known problem with these wheels!
New one on back order as a replacement - 3 week wait though!0 -
andyparker wrote:Just had it confirmed that there is a known problem with these wheels!
New one on back order as a replacement - 3 week wait though!
Good thing you're getting one more of the same then... :twisted:left the forum March 20230