Mavic Aksiums - slightly bent spoke

paulbnix

I have Mavic Aksiums on my bike.
I ran over a stick today and it sprang up and poked itself into the back wheel.
The result is a slightly bent spoke.
The bend is in the flat section about 5 cm from the rim.
The question is - should I just bend it back or does it need to be replaced as there are so few spokes?
If replacement is the answer where is the best place to get one.
The wheel also has a slight buckle but I am happy to straighten that out

MikeWW

Difficult without photos but I would have thought it would straighten out when you re-true the wheel

jds_1981

I got a new one from Condor. The spokes are different depending on year and which side of the back.
I rode with two bent spoke for months (bike was dragged by them underneath a van, oops.)
Eventually one broke by the little knob at the end splitting and bending.

paulbnix

I have had a closer look at the bent spoke. Its on the NDS but the bend looks more like a kink i.e. worse than I thought.


.. and I do know the bike needs a wash

dowtcha

Rose bikes also stock spare mavic spokes.

ugo.santalucia

You want to replace that spoke

paulbnix

I have tightened the bent spoke and the small buckle has virtually gone now.
I am not happy leaving it like that but am concerned by the tales I have heard about replacing one of these spokes.
Is it possible to just replace one spoke or does the whole wheel have to be loosened and then re-trued?
I am happy to tinker and remove a small buckle but do not have the expertise or tools to tackle a wheel like this.

Finally anyone in the Manchester area know of a competent LBS that could tackle this?

ugo.santalucia

paulbnix wrote:

I have tightened the bent spoke and the small buckle has virtually gone now.
I am not happy leaving it like that but am concerned by the tales I have heard about replacing one of these spokes.
Is it possible to just replace one spoke or does the whole wheel have to be loosened and then re-trued?
I am happy to tinker and remove a small buckle but do not have the expertise or tools to tackle a wheel like this.

Finally anyone in the Manchester area know of a competent LBS that could tackle this?

It's not a big job, really... when I lived in Manchester I found Ken Foster cycles in Chorlton to be a good man.
I also found Harry Hall Cycles pretty snobbish, if that helps

paulbnix

I think its now sorted.
I got a replacement spoke from Behind The Bikeshed and fitting was fairly easy aside from ensuring it didn't twist.
I used a block of wood with a long slot cut with a hacksaw to hold the spoke.

pinarellokid

Wills Wheels is a good shop for wheel parts.. in Manchester

smidsy

Judging by the general state of the bike I guess maintenance is not your forte - take it to a shop and get it repaired (clean the wheel first)#

rolf_f

smidsy wrote:

Judging by the general state of the bike I guess maintenance is not your forte - take it to a shop and get it repaired (clean the wheel first)#

Lol - I wonder how much the aero effect of the bladed spokes is offset by the piles of mud on the frame! Still, doesn't take long to make a bike look messy at this time of year.

desweller

smidsy wrote:

Judging by the general state of the bike I guess maintenance is not your forte - take it to a shop and get it repaired (clean the wheel first)#

Seriously? My bike is like that after about 1/4 mile at this time of year!