Breaking Spokes

Neil_aky

I've got an original Carrera Subway which I use in the winter. This year I have broken 3 spokes on the rear wheel in as many rides.

The question is if I keep replacing spokes at this rate I will spend more than the bike is worth (let alone the wheel).

Would I be better off replacing the wheel and if so, any recommendations? I just want a strong wheel that can take a 26 x 1.5 tyre with minimal cost. I weigh about 80Kg (should be about 72Kg late this year )

Thanks

Neil

thistle_

The rule of thumb I've heard is if you break 3 spokes in a wheel there's something not right with it.

My third (maybe 4th) broke last weekend so I had it rebuilt by my LBS - but that was £75 including spokes which was £20 cheaper than a new wheel :roll:

Has your chain ever come off the biggest cog and damaged the spokes?

Neil_aky

No, chain has never come off, but I think the wheel is probably worth a lot less than £75 - it the wheel which came with the bike. The bike is sound but obviously the wheels and a few other components are where the money is saved - still I've had it for 6 years but only started doing serious miles last summer.

rolf_f

thistle (MBNW) wrote:

The rule of thumb I've heard is if you break 3 spokes in a wheel there's something not right with it.

My third (maybe 4th) broke last weekend so I had it rebuilt by my LBS - but that was £75 including spokes which was £20 cheaper than a new wheel :roll:

Expensive spokes? Seems a lot that. I have a pair of commute wheels handbuilt by Spa Cycles. That was about £160 a pair so you effectively paid the same amount for the spokes replacing as I did for an entire new wheel. It seems a lot.

In any case, if you buy the spokes, remove the old spoke and relace the wheel yourself, you'll probably find the LBS won't charge much to true and tension your efforts.

The Rookie

Spokes should be costing less than £1 each, or are you paying for fitting as well?

Neil_aky

I am paying for the fitting as well - been thinking about just diving in and replacing myself...

Any advice? How difficult is it to replace and get the wheel true / spokes tensioned correctly?

Thanks in advance.

rrsodl

I had a similar problem with a subway a couple of years ago. Spokes started braking. On inspection I realised the spokes were of a very poor quality and they simply went rusty. I got a new wheelset.

You could have the them rebuilt with good spokes. You might be looking at £1 per spoke and about £30 - £40 to rebuild them.

rrsodl

Double posting - sorry

Neil_aky

I'll take a closer look at the weekend and probably just replace the wheels...

Good excuse to spend money on a bike!

gbsahne001

The Beginner wrote:

Spokes should be costing less than £1 each, or are you paying for fitting as well?

Really, where do you get your's from? the spoke for the R500 (see previous thread) cost me £3.

The Rookie

Depends on the spoke, for something like a formula (plain gauge 2mm) I've paid from 50p to £1 each (2 LBS and Halfords), for about £1.50 a spoke (in bulk buy) you can get DT swiss DB 2.0/1.8/2.0....

Replacing a single spoke is really easy, once it's in, tension to the same 'ping sound' as the others and the wheel will be just about true, tweak it and it's neighbours if it's not. Tools - spoke key and for the rear chain whip and cassette tool.

Good excuse to upgrade though - yes!

Naugas

Most times the spoke tension is too low if spokes starting to break. In my experience even cheapo stainless spokes are of high quality nowadays. Plain steel is another story, only the lowest quality bikes have them.

ugo.santalucia

You can get excellent quality spokes for 25-30 p each, Alpina for instance... problem is you won't find a retailer that gives you that price on single spokes... you need to place a minimum order

If you need single spokes, just ask... I have probably around 200 of them of various sizes and brands, leftovers from other jobs