Bicycle Mechanics - So thats why my rear wheel had so much play...

Ugh, took a look at my rear wheel today before I went on a ride and this is what I found:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v191/jerseysbest/canon063Medium.jpg

and then


http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v191/jerseysbest/canon065Medium.jpg

I don't know how long it was like this, I know the wheel had a slight wobble a few months ago and the LBS said not to worry about it, so I did just that, and didn't worry about it till today.

Well, the good news is yesterday was my last day of class and the last day I really need the bike other then 3 exams I got coming up and the parents have said they would help buy me a new bike for graduation. And the other good news is that I didn't go on the 40 mile trip home with the back wheel like this...

I don't know what the point of this post is except... ugh...

Not an expensive thing to replace, but we won't tell the folks that. We wouldn't want them to change their minds about the new bike.

Good luck on the last exams and a big thumbs up in advance for the graduation!

I did that to 3 axles in the course of a month, once.

Haven't had it happen since. I suspect learning how to properly hop curbs is part of it.

Yeah, I'm gonna head over to the LBS so see if they have anything cheap.

Haha, I don't usually hop curbs on this skinny tired road bike, I save that for my mountain bike. I suspect my largeness is the culprit more then anything else.

It's obviously a freewheel hub and they are prone to broken axles, just where yours did, immediately inside the drive side cone. I trust the new bike will have a freehub and that should prevent further problems like this. Enjoy your graduation and the new bike.

I just went to the LBS and picked up an axle ($12.99), new one was a tad longer because of some tapered ends, so it just fit. Guess I'll get some more use out of the Beast (http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v191/jerseysbest/canon049.jpg)

OK, for those of us who are not as mechanically saavy. What gives? By looking at your pictures I can't tell what's wrong. Enlighten me please.

OK, for those of us who are not as mechanically saavy. What gives? By looking at your pictures I can't tell what's wrong. Enlighten me please.


Broken axle.

Check that the new axle doesnt extend beyond the dropouts or the QR will never be able to clamp the wheel onto the dropouts.

Also have the LBS check yer dropout alignment....often this is the cause of broken axles.