I fixed the spoke. I got ten at a bike shop specialising in folders for £2.60, which I thought was pretty cheap.
The cause I think is that Merc use 14 gauge spokes on front and back wheels. Apparently, Brompton swapped over to using heavier 13 gauge spokes on the rear wheel a long time ago after a spate of breakages. I had tuned up the spokes a touch just about a month ago Wavshrdv, none were loose and the wheel was pretty well true as of a week ago when I last checked it. It had a slight run out of about 1mm, but I'd call that pretty well true. Also, when it pinged, I was the only load and I weigh about 170 pounds. I was accellerating out of the saddle though, but I ride a lot like that, especially on hills.
Anyway - all is fixed now and it was a doddle to refit the new 13 gauge spoke. It was a slightly tight fit getting it through the hub. I actually had to screw the threaded part into the hole in the hub, but once that was through the rest just slid in neatly.
Given that Brompton now use 13 gauge in the rear wheel, I expect the spare spokes I bought will come in handy before long.
Last edited by EvilV; 06-16-06 at 03:09 PM.