Bicycle Mechanics - need some help

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redls1camaro
03-07-08, 07:36 PM
Ive got a tri. in the morning. I was just now putting the numbers on my bike when I noticed I have a busted spoke.:mad:It broke off at the hub, on the rear wheel. Its a stock wheel on a Masi Alare. obviously I can not get it fixed by the race tomorrow. Will I be ok taking it off and riding with out it? Its a short 16 mile ride section. really pissed off right now. :mad:

sch
03-07-08, 08:56 PM
The main acute problem is whether the wheel has warped enough to drag on the
brake pads even with the brakes fully released. If not then you likely will be
ok. If the brake rubs, you will take a significant time hit riding the bike. There
is a small chance of either inducing a greater warp or of breaking more spokes.
Hefty rims that are aero style are much less likely to warp than more svelte
rims. I would advise not doing an all out stand up start and not doing high
torque out of the saddle jumps to avoid stressing the wheel. Start in lower
than usual gears and spin up. IOW you likely will get away with riding the bike
with a bit of care.
redls1camaro
03-07-08, 09:06 PM
Thanks for the reply. I just took it off a little bit ago. With the brake fully released it does not rub but is very close. Its pretty warped. But I rode it around and it seems "ok"... Hopefully it will get my through tomorrow.. I have been wanting a reason to upgrade. But this was not the best time.

orangepaint
03-07-08, 09:28 PM
How much do you weigh? How rough is the course? Those are also factors and if you weigh too much and the roads aren't nice, you may end up damaging your wheel.
JiveTurkey
03-07-08, 09:31 PM
Call up a biking buddy and ask to borrow a wheel. Though a rear-wheel transplant is not ideal right before a race, I'd rather not be mentally distracted by a busted wheel.
redls1camaro
03-07-08, 09:35 PM
How much do you weigh? How rough is the course? Those are also factors and if you weigh too much and the roads aren't nice, you may end up damaging your wheel.

about 220. Im a bigger guy for sure. Honestly I don't care if I screw up the wheel as long as I get through the race. Not too sure about the course roads, but down here the roads are pretty smooth for the most part.

JiveTurkey- I wish that was an option. I have a few friends coming up, and the only one with an extra wheel can not get into his storage unit at these hours..