Originally Posted by
anthonybkny
Got my first flat today.
Order of events: Hard braking, back wheel fish tailed a bit. Proceeded to pedal while standing, heard something that sounded like the chain skipping, like a pop. Apparently i broke a spoke (another first). Tire goes flat. I guess the nipple of the spoke, or whatever its called pinch flatted my tube. I heard a piece of metal rattling around in the wheel. Took the tire off and took at look at the rim tape, but it seemed untouched, strange. Got the piece of metal out through a hole. Put the new tube in, taped the broken spoke to its neighbor and proceeded to fill the tube with c02. Failed at that, i screwed the cartridge into the "thing" and then put it in the presta valve, and nothing. Tried backing it out and it would just release air. So i gave up and walked around and finally found a gas station. Luckily i had a presta to shrader adapter with me. Filled up with air, rear rim out of true, but made it to work.
Question i have now is, should i ride it home to my local bike shop (12 mile ride) to get repaired (warranty?) or just get it fixed around my job?
If you have a good reliable shop near where you work it may not make a difference. I doubt the broken spoke will be covered under warranty. If you feel an allegiance where you bought the bike and want to maintain a good relationship that's a reason to bring it there.
The other option is to start learning to repair your own bike...but I say that with a warning. Replacing a spoke on a rear wheel, while a pretty straightforward repair, has a steep learning curve. It's one of those things you can make a mess of the first couple of times you do it so get some coaching if you do make the attempt.