Bicycle Mechanics - Fallen Wheel Eyelet

I just got a 87 Trek 560, and been riding it last week like 40 miles or so, just getting back to bicycling. Yesterday was my first bike commute to work. However, on the way home I mentioned that one eylet of the rear rim was displaced, and just running up and down the spoke. Tried to put it back in, but it would not stay.

I was worried, so I just superglued it back in place. However, I'm not sure what exactly is their function, and if it will affect the integrity of the rim and wheel. What should I do?

The rim is in great shape. Plese let me know what you think

Ok, been reading the net, I'm not sure that it's actually called the eylet. I have Matrix rims, and what has fallen is like a circle that is bordering the whole in the rim through which the spoke goes. Is that right?

I'm not an expert, but the same thing happen to my rear Mavic Cosmos wheel a few years ago. I also glued it back in place, and I've been riding it without incident since then.

The part is a grommet and there is a flange, or should be on the outside where the nipple passes through the rim, and inside where the nipple seats. Sounds like you broke a grommet and what you saw was the half on the outside of the rim. The other part is either still around the nipple, stuck to your rim liner, or getting ready to flat your tube. I just had the same thing happen, but several grommets were failing at once on my old rim. My LBS said replace the rim, although several members here say that you may be able to use a nipple washer to help keep the nipple from eating up the inside of the rim. I would take it to a reputable shop and let their wheel builder give it a look. If one grommet has failed, others are probably not far behind. Maintenance now could save your rim.

Get that wheel looked at by a professional. You don't want to pull a spoke out of the rim. Consider replacing the rim with a new one. If one has failed, others are soon to follow. Besides, the rims are almost 20 years old. They've done their job.

PLEASE HELP!!!

Ok, went to the shop and they said ride it till it breaks... then get a new wheel.

So, came back, and a big headache trying to figure it all out. The bad wheel is the rear. Currently have a 6 cog freewheel. If get new wheel would go to cassette, so might as well click to 9 speed. So probably would need new RD (30 bucks on ebay), FD ($15), wheelset ($60 or so), and maybe would upgrade to STI shifters (105 on ebay for like $90) - total over 200 dollar probably.

Is this worth on a 1987 Trek 560 in excelent condition though like new? (for 300 I could get a new last years bike with Soras it seems like from this forum) Please help - what do I do...

PLEASE HELP!!!

Ok, went to the shop and they said ride it till it breaks... then get a new wheel.

So, came back, and a big headache trying to figure it all out. The bad wheel is the rear. Currently have a 6 cog freewheel. If get new wheel would go to cassette, so might as well click to 9 speed. So probably would need new RD (30 bucks on ebay), FD ($15), wheelset ($60 or so), and maybe would upgrade to STI shifters (105 on ebay for like $90) - total over 200 dollar probably.

Is this worth on a 1987 $125 Trek 560 in excelent condition though like new? (for 300 I could get a new last years bike with Soras it seems like from this forum) Please help - what do I do...

A $300 Sora bike will not be as good as your Trek.

That said, I don't know where you're getting $60 for a wheelset. That's =really= low end. Also, you're not accounting for labor... which is fine if you can do the work yourself.

I'd keep the Trek and rebuild the rear wheel and be done with it. If you're set on updating it, you certainly can and you'll have a very nice bike.

If you've had the LBS check the wheel out, you should be OK for a while, but when one of the grommets on my rear wheel came loose the cause was a cracked rim.

Regarding upgrade vs. new purchase: how much do you like the '87 Trek? How much do you ride?

I like the trek, but I've been riding for a couple weeks only... It's the first that fits... I rode like 50 miles, rode to school...