Bicycle Mechanics - I broke my first spoke today.

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View Full Version : I broke my first spoke today.

bjaspud
11-20-11, 04:34 PM
I'm fine with doing the repair. The question is... how do I specify / measure the length of the replacement spoke?

Thanks,
Spud

zandoval
11-20-11, 04:37 PM
Not so hard - Measure another on the same side...
bjaspud
11-20-11, 05:37 PM
Let me follow up your reply with a newbie question. Are left and right side spoke different? The bike is an older low spec Nishiki mountain bike with a conventional cassette.

Is there any way to measure without taking additional spoke off the wheel?

Thanks

Al1943
11-20-11, 05:46 PM
Take the broken spoke, all of it, to your LBS and ask for one just like it.
MudPie
11-20-11, 05:50 PM
Let me follow up your reply with a newbie question. Are left and right side spoke different? The bike is an older low spec Nishiki mountain bike with a conventional cassette.

Is there any way to measure without taking additional spoke off the wheel?

Thanks

A rear wheel is "dished", such that the spokes on the drive (right) side are shorter than the spokes on the non-drive side.

You could "guesstimate" the spoke length, knowing the measurement is from the bend in the spoke to the end to the threads. You can measure from the bend in the spokes to the near-end of the nipple, then add (guess) the amount of spoke in the nipple.

And of course you should match the diameter of the new spoke to the old - I'm guessing it is 14 gauge.
Wake
11-20-11, 07:51 PM
The length of a spoke is measured in mm, from the "hooked" end right next to the mushroomed part to the other end where the threads are.