americanlt2

I broke 2 of my spokes in the back. Will it be necessary to remove the cassette to put 2 new spokes back on? How much will it be for the local bike shop to fix or should I attempt myself? I assume I need to buy tools though.

Thanks

FBinNY 

If you broke right side spokes, yes you'll need to remove the cassette. If you broke left side spokes, you can curve them gently so they clear the cassette as you thread them through. Then straighten them reasonable before attaching to the nipple. They don't have to be perfectly straight, but you don't want any sharp bends which won't straighten when tensioned.

As to DIY or the bike shop, pries for the job will vary from a low of $10-15 or so at a bike co-op, to $15-30 at a bike shop, and maybe more depending on the overall condition of the wheel and what the shop will do. Just inserting spokes, bringing them to tension and truing the wheel is the minimum needed, but a better mechanic will want to make sure to work the whole wheel bring all he spokes to even tension at the right load.

I usually encourage DIY, but wheel work ranks near the high end of skill and touch needed among bike jobs, so I suggest you take a pass this time unless you're already proficient with the basics, and ready to step it up a notch.

JerrySTL

If the spokes are on the right side, it's almost certain that you'll have to remove the cassette. Also you may see two broke spokes, but there may be others about to break. Plus the wheel is probably way out of true.

Figure about $2 a spoke for parts and about $20-$30 for labor.

If you want to do it yourself, you'll need a chain whip, cassette removal tool, spoke wrench, plus maybe some other common tools like a screwdriver. You probably don't need a dishing tool but may want a wheel truing stand or just use the brake pads to get off cheap.

If you want to learn some new skills, get the tools and do it yourself. Don't be surprised if you don't pop a few more spokes. If you want it to get done faster (hopefully) and correctly (ditto the hopefully) take it to a bike mechanic.

Bill Kapaun

IF you broke 2 spokes, expect more to start breaking, unless the 2 were broke by accident like the RDER getting stuffed in the wheel.
IF they broke because of fatigue, the others have seen the same conditions............

HillRider

Good point. The rule of thumb I've seen is:

One broken spoke should be replaced.
A second broken spoke, replace but expect more problems soon.
Three broken spokes, relace the entire wheel with new spokes.